Eighth graders promoted across the peninsula

Five peninsula elementary schools have promoted eighth-graders in different ways, and while they all were unlike any previous graduation ceremonies, they marked a major milestone in the young teenagers’ lives, the transition to secondary education.

- ANNE BERLEANT

On June 5, The Bay School held an outdoor ceremony, combined with attendees sitting in parked cars, on the school grounds, graced with a mandala created from flowers, fruit, and shells. Promoted from eighth grade were Sayer Bramblett-Williams, Violet Czuj, Isla Day, Milo Fleming, Elias Lieser, Marie Nemeth, June Page, Hadley Reynolds, Oona Sacaridiz, Lyra Smith and Julia Traub.

In Brooksville, a June 4 ceremony held on the soccer field also had attendees watching from parked cars, followed by a car parade through town celebrating the graduates. Oceania Black, Breton Lebel, Maranda Pert, Carter Rodriguez, and Anna Snow all received diplomas.

Maranda Pert received the Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award and Anna Snow received the Daughters of the American Revolution History Award. All graduates received a $50 prize from the Brooksville Yacht Club for an essay contest that was canceled this year because of COVID-19, and they also will receive a book of their choice from the Brooksville Educational Foundation.