GALT, CA (MPG) - The morning of June 4, students walked the stage as they came to the end of a chapter and flipped a new page together at the McCaffrey Middle School eighth-grade promotion. 

Student Emanuel Viramontes welcomed everyone and shared a few reminders for attendees at the ceremony. 

Student Savannah Maldondo and Assistant Principal Joshua Saldate then led promoters, staff, family and friends in the Pledge of Allegiance. Students Sophie Nider and Analijah Ware followed onto the stage next and performed the National Anthem. 

“We extend our heartful gratitude to all the parents, guardians and family who have graciously entrusted us with the privilege of spending time with their children each day,” said Vice Principal Elaine Trull. 

“It has truly been a pleasure to engage with them and get to know our remarkable McCaffrey students.”

Trull recognized students with the highest levels of academic success, such as Students of the Year Olive Gorelick, Malakai Gomez and Wyatt Wymer, and Top Dog award recipients. 

There were more than 80 Top Dog recipients: students who maintained a GPA of 3.83 or higher in eighth grade. Trull also recognized National Junior Honor Society members who are students that participated in the honor roll program. 

Reflecting on the past two years and moving forward onto the next chapter were student speakers Malakai Gomez and Bellalena Silveira. 

Silveira started by looking back on a recent memory.

“These past few weeks have been awesome sauce. My favorite thing had to be the promotion dance. I mean, dancing and singing to ‘You Belong with Me’ is definitely a lot of fun, right?” Silveira said. 

Gomez noted the fun field trips, such as Country Club Lanes, where they bowled and played laser tag: “We had the whole place to ourselves. It was great,” Gomez said.

Each student speaker shared personal experiences and reminded fellow promoters to always remember the time they shared together at McCaffrey. 

Silveira said that being in the AVID program shaped her work ethic and helped her understand her “future education and career goals.”

“The thing about new beginnings is that they require something else to end. And along with all my experiences here that have shaped me, it was also the girl who I met in seventh grade,” Silveira said.

“I'll always remember the jokes and laughs at lunchtime and in-between periods with my friends. The dances and school activities, such as the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C.,” said Gomez. “Although everyone always talks about high school years when they look back on their youth, I would invite you to remember these two years when we were united together as one Bulldog family.”

Principal Carlos Castillo approached the stage next to extend gratitude toward school board members and the parent committee. He then invited students to stand and applaud parents, guardians and family members in attendance who supported them throughout their time at McCaffrey.

“From the moment I stepped on the campus, it was my vision to create a culture of ‘familia’ (family),” said Castillo.

“You, my amazing students, have embodied that spirit of unity, and I commend you for your kindness, empathy and inclusivity.”

Castillo concluded the promotion ceremony by congratulating the eighth-grade students and said, “Your promotion is a testament to your hard work, dedication and resilience. As you step into your next chapter of life, remember the support system that has guided you thus far. … We are all extremely proud of you.”