June 14, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti

*Crossett Brook Middle School eighth graders gather one last time on the school hillside after their graduation ceremony for family and friends to snap photos. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

A little sunshine, a little rain, with lots of family, friends and teachers surrounding them – Crossett Brook Middle School’s 73 eighth graders crossed their graduation stage on Thursday, marking a milestone in their school careers as they now look to high school.

*Co-Principal Duane Pierson. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

The annual rite of passage took place outside under a tent on the school grounds, a new tradition started during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s eighth-grade class was the first that Co-Principals Duane Pierson and Jen Durren got to send off as they come to the end of their first year in their roles.

Pierson, who moved to Crossett Brook this year having previously worked as a principal at Harwood Union Middle School, described middle school students, concluding that they are “the most remarkable of creatures.”

*Prodigy Team members Max Marotto and Ella Orr. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

He thanked the families of the students. “We’re the lucky ones that have the opportunity to learn from each one of these amazing young people,” he said. “My only regret is that I did not have more time to get to know and learn from this amazing group sitting here tonight.”

Eighth graders from both of the school’s grade 7-8 teams shared remarks looking back on their middle school years.

Prodigy Team members Ella Orr and Max Marotto went first. They recounted memories such as getting sweet treats from teachers and complaining about hot classrooms. Staff turnover meant adjusting to many new teachers between seventh and eighth grade.

“During these times of struggle, Team Prodigy has managed to find the light in the situation,” Orr said.

Marotto agreed. “We made the best out of situations,” he said. “For many of us, eighth grade has been a really special time in our lives. But unfortunately, this must come to an end for new pathways to arise.”

Crediting one of their teachers with the selection, they together recited a Robert Frost poem.

“Nothing Gold Can Stay”

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

The ceremony featured two songs by the seventh- and eighth-grade chorus, “These Green Mountains” and “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.”

*Crossett Brook seventh- and eighth-grade chorus performs at graduation. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Hazel Rost and Charlie Reichert from Titan Team addressed the gathering as well. Rost reminded all that their class began middle school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, “all masked up and nervous.”

Looking back though, she said she thinks students will remember the good times like student-staff soccer and basketball games more so than the rough ones. “Middle school wasn’t just a roller coaster,” she said. “It was also the times when our teachers helped us all through that we will remember the most.”

Teachers deserve students’ appreciation, Rost continued, mentioning particularly the school’s Spanish and French teachers who will likely be leaving given recent budget cuts to the school district’s World Language program. “They deserve a lot of respect because they brought us the knowledge of a language and gave us the perspective of a culture which are both very important things to have in life,” Rost said.

*Titan Team students Hazel Rost and Charlie Reichert. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Eighth-grader Charlie Reichert reminisced on each of his four years at Crossett Brook, from wearing masks as fifth graders in the pandemic to his class eventually getting to go on field trips and becoming the school’s role models by eighth grade. Transitions along the way included teachers leaving and joining the school staff, and new principals. “At the end of the [seventh grade] school year, we got some sad news – we learned that our principal Mr. Drake was leaving our school. But we will not forget what an awesome three years he led us through.”

This year the school welcomed Pierson and Durren, he said, remarking that, “A change they brought to our school was new lunch jobs to keep our school clean.”

Eighth graders ultimately earn “the privilege of more responsibilities – individuality leadership and self-direction are just a few,” he said. “What a great four years it has been.”

One-by-one, the students were called to the stage as school counselor Jennifer Hempey read their names. Principals Pierson and Durren shook their hands and gave them certificates and a carnation.

*Eighth graders take their turns going up to the stage for their certificates. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

*Co-Principal Jen Durren. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Durren closed out the ceremony with words of advice to the newly minted high school freshmen. Next school year will bring “an opportunity to explore new subjects, discover hidden talents, and pursue passions that will shape your future,” she said.

Referencing a mantra that Pierson stresses regularly at school, Durren reminded the students to take with them the values of “caring, curiosity, and connection” as they enter high school. “Continue to care deeply for yourselves, your peers and your community,” she said. “Be the person who lifts others up, who listens and who acts with empathy.”

Being curious is essential in high school, Durren continued. “Ask questions. Seek answers, and never settle for the status quo.” She concluded with a message on connection: “Relationships you build in high school can have a lasting impact on your life… Cherish the friendships that help you grow.”

Following the ceremony, the students left the tent first and headed to a mowed path on one of the tall hills nearby to gather for group photos by family and friends down below.

*Teachers, family and friends gathered under the tent for 8th grade graduation at Crossett Brook Middle School. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Members of the class of 2024 who were recognized with awards this year were:

New England League of Middle Schools Scholarly Leader Awards: Fisher Misenko and Robin Weigand. This is given to students who exemplify teamwork, respect, dependability, service to others and respect for diversity.

Ken Page Award: Kathryn Conyers. Named for the school’s first principal, it honors a student who makes positive contributions to the school community, shows strong work ethic and progression toward their goals.

Harvard University Book Prize: Wren Barrett. This honor recognizes a promising student chosen by their teachers for their curiosity, determination, character and contributions to the school and community.

Tom Drake Unsung Hero Award: Elias Burdick. A new award this year, this is given in honor of Crossett Brook’s former principal to recognize the contributions of a student not typically in the spotlight.

American Legion Awards: Lila Pacholek, Hazel Rost, Isabella Pockoski and Adelaide Chalmers

CBMS Choral Award: Nyx Gilson. This goes to a chorus student who takes advantage of every opportunity while bringing musicianship, positivity and energy to chorus.

Matt Clancy Band Award: Cora Binkerd. Named for the school’s first band teacher and given to an instrumental student who excels in band and jazz band, showing interest in different musical styles as well as collaborating with others.

Rotary Music Awards: Isabella Pockoski and Adelaide Chalmers

Volunteer of the Year Award: Melissa Jordan