Hundreds of parents, family members and friends packed the district auditorium on June 23 as Tamarac Middle School held its 38^th Annual Grade 8 Moving Up Ceremony.

Audience members memorialized the event by snapping photos and videotaping students as they filed into the auditorium or waved to them as they walked by.

After a recital of the “Pledge of Allegiance” and a rendition of the “National Anthem” by student Devon Rooney, Superintendent Lou McIntosh thanked everyone for attending.

Mr. McIntosh noted how “absolutely phenomenal” students behaved on the eighth grade cruise the evening before and how proud he was of them. He then led everyone in applause for the parents and teachers who helped and supported the students along the way.

Three Middle School teachers and a counselor who are retiring this year were then recognized: Mary Leathem after 20 years, Valerie Dechene after 32 years, Edward Peck after 33 years, and Susan Bennett New after 39 years.

Turning to the students, Mr. McIntosh praised them for working so hard on their educations in Elementary and Middle School.

“The next hurdle will be even bigger but we know you’re ready for it and we look forward to you returning next year,” Mr. McIntosh said. “You’re a great group.”

The seventh and eighth grade chorus then performed “Keep Holding On” before students were called up for a number of awards. The entire eighth grade class was then called up to walk across the stage as Mr. McIntosh presented certificates and congratulated students.

The ceremony ended with a special recognition of Mrs. Leathem and Mr. Peck.

Eighth grader Maria Clemente drew laughter from the audience as she joked there were many relieved students who would no longer be worried about getting caught chewing gum by Mrs. Leathem’s “eagle eye”. But Maria then warned her classmates they should be careful because Mrs. Leathem could still return as a substitute teacher.

She then praised Mrs. Leathem as a special teacher who made a huge impact on her and other students.

“I wish Mrs. Leathem was our English teacher for the rest of our grades because I know we would be more than prepared for college,” Maria said.

Eighth grader Matthew Murray spoke similarly about the impact Mr. Peck has had on students. Mr. Peck’s “kind, charismatic way” endeared him to students, Matthew explained, and he was always there for students.

Matthew then recalled how Mr. Peck would end the student announcements each day with the phrase, “Go out and make it a great day.” The stage curtain was then drawn back to show a large banner donated by the student class with the phrase which will be placed in the Middle School cafeteria.

“It was nice to know someone cared,” Matthew said. “Remember Mr. Peck, go out and make it a great day.”