JMMS Sixth-Graders Awarded

Joseph Melillo Middle School held an awards ceremony Tuesday for sixth-grade students for their academic achievements during the 2010-2011 school year.  Parents whose children were receiving awards filed into the building holding invitations sent home last week to attend the ceremony.  The entire sixth-grade class was invited to attend and applaud their classmates.

Assistant Principal Phyllis Savo was on hand to congratulate her students, accompanied by teachers from the Red and Silver teams, along with guidance counselors and special education teachers.

Counselor Debbie DeMaio was the emcee and took great care in presenting the awards, while she comically tried to pronounce some of the recipients’ last names. There were roughly 70 children who received awards ranging from honor status, unified arts, teacher awards for academics in core classes, as well as specialty recognitions for Most Improved Student, Leadership and Student of-the-Year.

Special awards were given for "Pillars of Character,"  citizenship, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and respect. These awards are based solely on character.

“These awards are very dear to me," said DeMaio. "Together with your teachers, Mr. Karaffa [guidance] and I have watched all of you throughout the year grow academically and personally. When we visited you last spring in fifth grade, we received our first impressions of you as incoming students to JMMS.  Throughout the year, you have all worked very hard. We will continue pillar standards until the end of your time here, and hopefully you will take them with you throughout high school and the rest of your lives.”

Unified Arts Awards

Music at JMMS is very important, with three categories in band, choir and general music. Angelina DeBenedet, Nick Spadacenta, Eric Wunderlich and Jessica Pethic received band awards; Brandon Butler, Rayonna Millhouse, Taylor Mrowka, Katelynn Perno and Brianna Stone were recognized for their voices and participation in the school choir. General awards in music went to Michael Sosniak, Jessica Pethic, Arianna Mahon and Jack Scalesse.

There were quite a few athletes awarded in physical education: Jack Scalesse, Nick Spadacenta, Justin Keish, Mike Comesanas, Stephen Martindale, Brianna Ruggerio, Fallon Speers, Tina Paolillo, Ava Carrano and Lindsey Falcone.

Awards for library were presented to Rachel Amatruda, Jack Zimmerman and Ann Marie DiNicola. Jessica Pethic and Fallon Speers received additional awards in computers along with Taylor Mrowka and Tahjai Thompson. And Cecilia Willis and Michael Bunce were cited for their excellence in art.

Sixth-graders are only eligible for one marking term of world language.  Amazingly, most of the students learned quite a bit in Spanish class in such a short time. The kids awarded in this category were Peter Capone, Megan Lendroth, Alexa Battaglino, Nick Spadacenta, Michael Carbone, Olivia Petroccio and Ashley Walker.

Academic Awards

Math citations went to Zachary Pellegrino, Jack Scalesse, Alexa Battaglino, Ronald Nieto, Matthew Gambardella, Frank Pantalena, Justin Higgins, Selina Khantikone, Hannan Khan and Vincent Franco.

Science awards were given to Jennea Vitali, Alexa Battaglino, Rachel Amatruda, Zack Pellegrino, David Hernandez, McClay Marshall, Angelina DeBenedet, Selina Khantikone, Nicholas Sims, Olivia Petroccio, Michael Comesanas.

Social studies honors were handed to Vanessa Sinchak, Rachel Amatruda, Stephen Martindale, Matt Gambardella, Ann Marie DiNicola, Zack Pellegrino, Mikayla Avallone, Liliana Ramirez, Hayley Jasiorkowski, Taylor Mrowka and Nicholas Spadacenta.

Language arts went to David Hernandez, Rachel Amatruda, Ann Marie DiNicola, Tina Paolillo, Justin Keish, Olivia Petroccio, Angelina DeBenedet, Jessica Knapp, Taylor Johnson and Mikayla Avallone.

Integrated language arts awards were given to Darly Supulveda, Peter Capone, Amber Ciscone, Shawn Wagner, Alexa Battaglino,  Keyri Ambroccio, Danielle Stefania, Selina Khatikone, Angelina DeBenedet and Shania Vidro.

Red team's Alexa Battaglino and Silver’s Cecelia Williams earned Most Improved Student.

Pillar Character students: citizenship went to Jessica Pethic and Vincent Franco; respect went to Rima Patel and Ann Marie DiNicola; responsibility to Zack Pellegrino and Jewel Kubala; trustworthiness to Roselle Iriate and Kianna Rosa; fairness to Tina Paolillo and Christian Silvernale; and caring was awarded to Matt Gambardella and Alphonse DeLucia.

“Congratulations to all of the students who received these awards,” said Phyllis Savo at the conclusion of the assembly. “And congratulations to all of their parents. I’d like to thank everyone for a successful year and wish you the best in seventh grade.”

Stay tuned for student of the year awards for grades seven and eight. Can you guess who they might be?