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  2. Post: Grand Avenue Marks 8th Grade Moving Up  
June 16, 2025

Grand Avenue Marks 8th Grade Moving Up  

Grand Avenue Middle School’s Class of 2025 celebrated its moving up on June 13 with three ceremonies on the school’s turf field.  

To kick off the ceremony, the vocal group Grand Voices, led by director Amanda Cantwell, serenaded the crowd with two songs. Vocalist and eighth-grader Ava Andrews sang the Star-Spangled Banner for all three ceremonies. 

Principal Carlo Conte recalled life lessons from Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs & Ham as a euphemism for encouraging students to try new things.  

“You tried new things, you took chances – maybe you tried out for the school play even though you were nervous or maybe you raised your hand in science class even though you weren’t totally sure about the answer,” he said. “That – my friends – is growth.” 

Conte noted that more choices and challenges lie ahead. 

“More chances to say, I don’t like this or that,” he began. “Let’s add to that sentence – the word ‘yet.’” 

Safa Ahmad, Caroline Maxon and Lucas Senicola, student speakers from each of their respective teams, also addressed the crowd.  

Samantha Bremer and Luke Yepez, seniors at Mepham High School, and Zachary Greenseid, a senior at Kennedy High School, offered advice on what is to come in high school. 

Conte was joined on stage by Assistant Principals James Mollica and Chris Riccardi, as well as Superintendent of Schools Michael Harrington, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Eric Gomez, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Scott Bersin and Assistant Superintendent of Business Mikaela Coni. 

 

 

Two female eighth-graders ahead of graduation.   An eighth grader sang the Star-Spangled Banner for three moving up ceremonies on June 13.   Students make their way onto the field.   Student Speaking at podium.    A group of people walk on a track, some holding papers.   Grand Voices, led by director Amanda Cantwell, serenaded the crowd with two songs.   Three young women smile for the camera at an event in a gymnasium.   People stand on a stage during an outdoor event, with a speaker at a podium.   People stand on a stage during an outdoor event, with a speaker at a podium.   Three male eighth graders ahead of graduation   Students make their way onto the field.   Students make their way onto the field.   Three eighth-grade students ahead of graduation.   Two young women walk on a track, smiling, with a brick building in the background.   Two young women pose for a photo in a school gymnasium, with students and staff in the background.   Students make their way onto the field.   Grand Avenue Middle School principal at podium.   eighth-grade students ahead of graduation.   Two men in suits shake hands under a balloon arch, smiling at each other.