Community Corner
Dodd Middle School Ceremony Stays Outdoors Despite Rain
Ceremony not deterred by showers; 381 eighth-graders earn promotion certificates.
Raindrops fell on the umbrella-equipped crowd of about 1,400 Wednesday morning, but Dodd Middle School completed its eighth-grade promotion ceremony in time to avert the midday's steady rainfall.
Student Marissa Cohen delivered a heartfelt Farewell Speech, in which she commented on how much her class had learned and shared together over the two years in various activities, including its recent trip to Washington, D.C.
Numerous individual student awards were given, concluding with the overall academic Team Awards for each of the grade's team groups. The winners were: Katherine Conlon, Red Team; Matthew Rand, Blue; Shuang Guan, Green; and Rachael Tyrrel, Purple.
The program that began at 10 a.m. took about one hour to complete and was highlighted by the promotion of 381 eighth-graders, many of whom will move on to Cheshire High School in the fall.
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Dodd principal Jeffrey Solan gave the welcoming and closing comments, the last abbreviated to a simple well-wishing and good morning as lightning started to light up the overcast sky.
Superintendent of schools Greg Florio gave a brief speech congratulating the class and urging each student to continue their good work through high school.
During the awarding of promotion certificates the rain became steadier and the crowd became a hive of umbrellas of varying shapes, sizes and colors.
