Photos: Riverside Elementary's Sixth Grade Moving Up Ceremony

Riverside Elementary's ninety sixth grade scholars were honored at Mount Vernon High School Thursday evening at Riverside's moving up ceremony. 

Many students were recognized for academic excellence and were presented with Presidential Awards for Education, including a letter from President Obama. Emily Smith was presented with the Lions Club Citizenship Award, and Sarah Diminico was presented with the Jane Cooney Fratoe Sprit Award, in honor of Fratoe, a longtime music teacher at Riverside. 

The students were given wise advice to carry with them as they face the next step of their journey. 

"As you leave Riverside and go to the next point in your life, the first thing is to set your goals high. Once you set your goals high you have to look at how to achieve those goals," Principal Lori Morton advised the students. "You have to work hard. Do not give up. You need to persevere." 

The ceremony concluded with the sixth grade chorus singing "Seasons of Love" from the hit musical Rent.