David Silveira has been with the Manteca Unified School District long enough to see the changes of the special send-off event for eighth graders.
“It used to be a graduation and then it was called a promotion,” said the principal of Brock Elliott Elementary School on Monday.
He added: “No it’s called a celebration.”
The Eighth Grade Transitional Promotion Celebration at Brock Elliott kicked off a week of similar-type events throughout the district. Graduation Week at MUSD also took place on Day 1 at Joseph Widmer, Lincoln, and French Camp.
French Camp School
The Class of 2025 will always be a special one for Principal Gerardo Guzmon Rico.
“This is the first class as principal (of the school),” he said.
His promotion ceremony consisted of Laura Lee Retzlaff leading in the flag salute, and fellow eighth graders’ Claudia Zarate and Andrea Ornelas welcoming those in attendance inside the school’s multi-purpose building.
Student speakers also included Susana Rodriguez, Erick Gonzalez, Emily Escobar Torres, ad Gabriella Ehlers.
Joseph Widmer School
About 110 or so students at Joseph Widmer Jr. Elementary School received kind words encouragement from the eighth-grade team.
“As you move on to high school, know that you are ready. Keep being curious, kind, and brave. Take what you’re learned – inside and outside the classroom – and use it to keep becoming the best version of yourself,” the message said.
Brock Elliott School
Among the top students at Brock Elliott were Madalynn Albert, Zirui Gao, and Viliami Tuttle.
All three were recognized on Monday’s program for maintaining perfect 4.0 grade point average throughout the year.
The celebration event also featured Emily Guptill and Saul Salazar leading in the Pledge of Allegiance along with Student Council President Skyler Rollins addressing those in attendance.
Student introductions were provided by Vice Prinicpall Karen Olson while Silviera, who proudly wrapped up his sixth year as principal at the school, presented the Class of 2025.
Lincoln School
Some 70 or so eighth graders were recognized in the multi-purpose room greeted by Principal Randi Fowzer.
Her top students from the Class of 2025 were Lizbeth Chicuate-Fernandez and Noemy Leiva. Both maintained perfect 4.0 GPAs during all three trimesters and were recognized by their stoles, double gold cords, and pins.
MUSD Outstanding Character Awards went to Estella Almonia and Shane Segura.
The morning program, in addition, had Fowzer and Vice Principal Martha Salsedo conducting the presentation of awards, and Chicuate-Fernandez as one of student speakers.
