Ossining Middle School Grads Encouraged to Seize Opportunities

Congratulations to the 352 Anne M. Dorner Middle School students who graduated from eighth grade on June 22!

Superintendent Raymond Sanchez encouraged graduates to “be yourself and let your heart lead you.” Do not worry about following the crowd, and remember to “do the right thing, even when others aren’t looking,” he said.

“Live with a sense of awareness of the world around you and embrace your inner 3-year-old child and see the tiny joys that make life so sweet,” he said. “These are the great times in your life. There is no need to rush. Enjoy.”

The moving-up ceremony was bittersweet for Principal Regina Cellio, who is retiring after 27 years with the district. AMD students and band members performed Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” in her honor.

Ms. Cellio told students her heart was bursting with pride for them and their accomplishments. “On a daily basis, you have modeled outreach, kindness, the power of student voices and unprecedented examples of how you care about our world,” she said.

Members of the Class of 2019 are outstanding and passionate leaders who have “stood up for what is right,” Ms. Cellio said. “It has been with pride that I have had the honor to watch you grow as brilliant and vibrant young people who will indeed make the changes this world needs to see.”

She quoted Flavia Weedn, who wrote about people coming into our lives and leaving footprints on our hearts.

“I thank you for the footprints you have etched in my heart and I will hold you near and dear to my heart for always and forever,” Ms. Cellio said.

Graduates Jozsef Balatoni, Isaiah Haye and Lucy Roach were the ceremonial leaders, or emcees, of the ceremony. There were four student speakers – Chukwuma Adiele-Iroakazi, Marcus Nahim, Ella-Jean Raymundo and Clara Smith.

Marcus said he admires the Class of 2019’s ability to unite and break through barriers together, even though everyone is so different. Students have forged a strong bond, he said.

“This bond has not only brought the students together but also brought our community together,” Marcus said. “Our community is very supportive of the things we do as students to be successful as our future becomes closer and closer to reality.”

Clara said that while she learned thousands of facts and concepts in her three years at AMD, the most important skill she developed was the ability to seize opportunities. The school gave her so many opportunities to learn, lead and advocate for herself, and staff members supported her and pushed her to do her best. She urged classmates to “seize your moment and look for opportunities” at OHS.

“Opportunities are what drive us, what motivate us, what can intimidate us,” she said. “They are circumstances that make it possible for us to do something, to reach for something that we may have never thought possible. They’re right here, right in front of us, so close we can almost reach out and touch them.”

Ella-Jean said she and her classmates will have more responsibilities and more freedom as they move into high school. The future will also bring long hours of studying and sacrifices, she said.

“Success depends on your willingness and dedication to put the hard work in to make your dreams come true,” she said.