As tradition has it at Bond Mill Elementary School, the outgoing sixth-grade students presented a colorful carnation to each of their mothers or guardians as part of the much-anticipated sixth-grade promotional ceremony.

Though the ceremony is considered a promotional event by the school system, those involved feel it is more of a graduation. Many of these students have attended Bond Mill for seven full years beginning with kindergarten.

The orchestra, which included students Phillip Ekoma, Aliya Koeiman, Samantha Lakey, Jamie Snider and Camille Steenrod, got the ceremony off to a lovely start. Principal Justin FitzGerald welcomed the crowd-filled room and shared his experiences and memories of the sixth grade.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Student Council Representatives. Kindergarten through sixth-grade memories were conjured up by Victoria Ridgway, Allison Lehman, Amanda Endres, David Livingstone, Camille Steenrod, Carina Panza, Cynthia Leandro and Kimberly Brackett.

The band played on with Danielle Berard, Kimberly Brackett, Olivia Brown, Reina Canales, Gavvyn Flores, Jackie Kigozi, David Kraue, Cynthia Leandro, Allison Lehman, David Livingstone, Sam Mudd, Robert Nicol and Abby Onykewell.

The Peer Mediation/Gold Student Award was presented to Kimberly Brackett. The Mary Jane Lusby Award for scholastic achievement and service to school and community went to Timothy Roy and Tessa Debrow. The Lori Wood Courage Award was presented to Amanda Endres in memory of beloved teacher Lori Wood who always gave a lot more than 100 percent, just as Amanda has.

The Bond Mill Class of 2009 will now graduate to the next step at Martin Luther King Middle School where Principal Robin Wiltison will take good care of these promising young students.

The West Laurel Swim Team is a Division A team who has already started their season and are swimming well against the competition. Go Wahoos!

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