Chatterton School Holds Moving Up Day

Chatterton School Principal Cindy Davidowitz told the graduating sixth grade class Wednesday morning to be proud of who they are and to embrace their friendships.

"Keep dreaming, believe in yourself, show signs of courage and self-determination, be persistent," Davidowitz advised the nearly 90 students at the moving up day ceremony, "and know that success takes work and effort.  Enjoy the journey to happiness and make your dreams a reality."

Davidowitz opened the ceremony with remarks directed toward the hundreds of family members and friends in the crowd.

"We can reflect with pride on all that our children have accomplished so far as learners, leaders and as caring young adults," she said.  "Imagine what they may accomplish."  

Merrick School Board Vice-President Joann Seibert also took the chance to address the young graduates, who head off to Merrick Avenue Middle School in the fall.

"As you move on, you will find yourself looking back on what you learned at Chatterton," said Seibert, who mentioned she had heard great things about the kindness and compassion of the members of the graduating class.  "The educational foundation that you received in this district has prepared you well for the middle and high school years."

Ginny Bennette, in remarks about the Irene Gordon Memorial Foundation, told the students that she had one important task for them heading into the future.

"Go into the world and do well," Bennette said, "but more importantly, go into the world and do good, and make us proud of your good deeds."

Each year, the Irene Gordon Memorial Foundation, named after Bennette's mother, who worked in the district for 35 years, donates books to the Merrick school libraries in the name of the graduating class.

After receiving their diplomas, the proud grads took to the stage to sing a few choral selections, which included "The Chatterton School Song," written by Chatterton music director Richard Nasto and the classic "We Are the World," by Quincy Jones. 

The sixth grade class also presented a gift to Chatterton: a new bench for outside of the school.  The school's student council will also pass along $1,300 to next year's council to use toward the school's beautification project.

Many of the graduates were recognized at the ceremony for their academic excellence.  They were:

• Jillian Axelrod
• Jack Beichert
• Muriel Bingham
• Christopher Classie
• Terran Cooper
• Jared DelOrfano
• Stephanie Elbaum
• Tracy Goldman
• Sarah Goldstein
• Kelly Grenham
• Alexandra Gruen
• Brian Hendrickson
• Daniel Krohn
• Paige Lewis
• Phoebe Ma
• Elijah Maduro
• Jerry Mansmann
• Abby Mitchell
• Nicholas Nazario
• Sydney Palma
• Kenneth Petter
• Elias Platanias
• Alessandra Reilly
• Christopher Reyes
• Nicholas Saladino
• Tyler Schaefer
• Emily Schneider
• Angelina Theodores
• Gina York

(Correction:  This story originally attributed Ginny Bennette's remarks to Cindy Davidowitz.  We apologize for the error.)