New City Elementary Students Ready for New Chapter in their Lives

The New City Elementary fifth grade class left their juice boxes and toys behind on Wednesday as they graduated from elementary school.

The moving up ceremony took place at Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack, where most of the 74 graduating New City students will enroll next fall.

"We are starting a new chapter of our lives as young adults... some parents think that we are not yet ready for middle school, but the guidance they provided us has left us more than ready to take on sixth grade," noted James Wiggans in his class speech.

Dressed in classy suits and fancy dresses, each of the children stepped up to receive their certificates, a ticket to their individual journeys toward becoming teenagers. In only three years, these kids will have been prepared to enter high school as young adults.

But for now, they'll have to adjust to a multitude of subjects and various teachers, a heavy schedule filled with after-school activities and homework, and the vast size of Felix Festa Middle School itself.

Vincent Campione, brother of fifth-grader Anthony Campione and student at Clarkstown High School North, commented on his feelings as his brother awaited his certificate. "I'm really happy for him. I hope he has fun and doesn't get lost at Festa. He is going to have to get used to moving around."

Debra Forman, principal of New City Elementary, spoke kind words to the fifth grade class. "Your middle school teachers are in for a wonderful treat, and you are in for an experience you will never forget... most importantly be proud of yourself as a person, know yourself well, and stay true to who you are," she said.

And in fact this group of kids are a special bunch. This fifth grade class has participated in multiple community service projects and made inspiring choices to make a difference in the world. They even organized a fundraiser in which they collected toiletries for our soldiers overseas.

Meanwhile, John Pellechia, a proud father, watched his daughter Emily graduate.

She is the third and last of his children who have graduated from New City Elementary. "I have mixed emotions. It is nice to see her move up and start doing things on her own. But it is also sad to see her grow up. New City Elementary has been a great school," he said.

Student assistant counselor at New City Elementary, Marcia Simon, has worked with these fifth graders for years and was happy to see them growing up as well. "I have worked 11 years at this school and I will miss this group of kids very much," she said.

Simon added soothing words of advice for the class, "If I didn't get lost when I worked at Felix Fest, you won't get lost either."

But the ceremony was not only a milestone for the class, but for Diane Gates, a beloved teacher who is retiring from New City Elementary this year. She is being honored on the PTA wall of fame for her work and dedication to education and the children.

Roars of cheers and applause enveloped the auditorium as Diane Gates was called to the stage.

"You've done a great job mom and dad, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles. Thank you very much for letting me be part of New City Elementary life for these many years."

"The middle school is lucky to have these children next year," added principal Debra Forman after the joyful ceremony.

Graduations in the district continued today with a moving up ceremony for Congers Elementary students and graduation at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack.