FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The township school district’s two middle schools will bid farewell to a total of about 520 students during separate eighth-grade graduation ceremonies this week.
Tonight at 7 p.m. at Freehold Township High School, 249 eighth-graders from the Barkalow Middle School will receive their diplomas.
Principal John Soviero commended the students for their efforts this school year.
“It’s been a great year and a really great group of kids. They are good students and good citizens. They came together and helped our school raise $12,000 for tsunami relief efforts and $1,400 in our Empty Bowls fund-raiser for our local food pantry. Our eighth-grade trip and our dance were terrific. All in all, a great group of students all year,” Soviero said.
The graduation ceremonies will feature an address of welcome delivered by graduate Valentyna Olynek. The farewell address will be given by graduate Courtney Kozal. Graduate Jessica Canose had her poem, “The Doors of Barkalow,” selected to appear on the graduation program.
On June 16 at 7 p.m., a class of about 270 eighth-graders from the Eisenhower Middle School will graduate in ceremonies at Freehold Township High School.
Principal Sandra Brower said, “This has been an amazing group of students and to learn about them as people has been terrific. They are a brilliant group of children who will be successful in high school and beyond. The teachers and staff at Eisenhower think about them as a special group.”
The graduation ceremonies will feature the Pledge of Allegiance led by graduate Steven Correia, who was nominated by the school’s teachers for that honor.
The address of welcome will be delivered by graduate Nicholas Dona and the farewell address will be given by Amanda Brennan. Nicholas and Amanda earned their honors in the school’s essay contest. Graduate Julia Whall had her poem, “A New Course,” selected to appear on the graduation program.
— Mark Rosman