By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Shasta, Veritas, Neil Hafley graduate
Neil-Hafley--Pic-1
Dylan Tucker checks the collar on Esidro Castaneda before the commencement ceremony for 8th grade students at Neil Hafley began Tuesday night. - photo by JASON CAMPBELL
About 100 students at Shasta School were honored Tuesday at the eighth-grade promotion exercises held at Manteca High’s Winter Gymnasium.

Another 58 were promoted at Veritas School plus nearly 80 at Shasta School.

On Tuesday evening, they ended a chapter of their young lives, moving past elementary school and entering high school in the coming months.

Shasta’s 25th annual eighth-grade promotional ceremonies included Billy Sharmoug and Anika Williams serving as the student speakers, Moriah Saldana leading in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Vice Principal Darren Willett having the honors of presenting the class for certification.

At Veritas, the school celebrated its fifth annual promotional event.

Receiving individual honors was Ashley Garcia getting the Presidential Award for academic excellence and Ariel Blyth earning the most improved Academic Achievement Award.

The Character Counts awards went to Bailie Miller, Christian Valdez and Sarabjot Singh.

Nearly 80 students walked across the stage at Neil Hafley to accept certificates of their promotion to high school from Principal Steve Anderson, Vice Principal Sharon Womble, and Manteca Unified Trustee Wendy King – with most of those progressing on to become East Union students in the fall.

Class President Michaela Ramos addressed the class with remarks concerning the past year and the work that they put in to get where they are today, and graduate Rachel Sianez gave an address entitled “We Did It.”

Samantha Thurmon gave an address entitled “Dreams Can Come True,” while MacKenzie Everett’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” rounded out the student addresses for the evening.