Saying Goodbye to Middle School Thursday, May 21, 2009 By Zalak Patel [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising Last week people were buzzing about one of the biggest events of the year, high school graduation. This was a time when high school seniors, parents, and teachers were all proud of the senior class and their accomplishments throughout their high school years. Every year the high school graduation overshadows another important event, the middle school graduation. This year, the Cameron Middle School graduation was on Wednesday, May 20.    Although the middle schoolers aren't graduating high school and beginning their new independent lives, they are graduating the four years they have put into middle school. These four years include achievements both in and out of the classroom. They may not be going into college, but they will be going into high school, an environment different from middle school.   "I think it's neat to recognize their four years of hard work," said Cameron Middle School Principal Mr.Sanders. Mr.Sanders got the privilege of handing out diplomas to the graduating class for the last time this year.   The teachers of the eighth-graders didn't want the talented students to leave the middle school, but know they are determined individuals who will succeed in high school. "They are ready to tackle the high school activities and classes," said Eighth-Grade Language Arts Teachers Mrs. Slagle.   Not only did the eighth-graders receive their middle school diplomas, some also received other awards. These awards were meant to recognize outstanding students. The awards included Citizen of the Year and Presidential Awards. Students were also recognized for good attendance, sports, and performance in the classroom.   "This was a milestone event, it signified their middle school years and they needed the recognition," explained Mrs.Slagle.   Mr.Sanders agreed the graduation was a milestone event. "It's one of the few things just about eighth-graders. Students got to bring their parents and show them what they have accomplished."   The night was bittersweet for the graduating students. Some were excited to graduate, to finally be in high school; a place long awaited to go to, with seemingly more freedom and more opportunities for success. Others weren't as willing to leave the place they'd become familiar with over the course of the last four years.   "I will miss the great teachers at the middle school," said Eighth-grader Holly Spiegelhalter.   On the other hand, Holly is also one who is ready to start attending high school. "Graduation made me feel like I accomplished middle school. I am looking foward to meeting the new kids and teachers [at high school]. I am also looking forward to the great clubs and the new experiences."   Every year at the middle school, students graduate and leave for high school, and new students arrive and begin middle school. This is always a tough time for the teachers and staff members who have come to know them well. Although the graduates will have great experiences at high school, they will never forget the great memories they created in middle school.

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