Candlewood Eighth Graders Move Up to HS

The eighth grade class of marked the beginning of their high school years in a moving-up ceremony Thursday night at .

Excited parents crowded the auditorium with their cameras flashing from every corner of the room to capture their child's last moment before becoming high school students.

"Life gets real busy," said James Ptucha, a board of education trustee whose daughter is a rising freshman from Candlewood. "We're all so blessed to have such great kids...Make sure to spend more time with them. They are worth it. You are worth it."

The class of 374 students received certificates of promotion as they each crossed the stage and closed another chapter in their young lives.

Candlewood Principal Andrew Greene offered the students one last piece of advice before they embark on their high school journey.

"Make your own mark in the world," he said. "Never lose sight of what you feel you can become."

Have your own photos of the ceremony you want to share? Log into Patch to add them to the gallery yourself or email them to amanda.lindner@patch.com,