Family members, friends, teachers and staff gathered at Monticello High School on June 24 to celebrate the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Moving Up Ceremony, honoring members of the Class of 2030 as they completed their middle school journey and prepared to begin high school this fall.
The ceremony recognized students for their academic achievements, citizenship, leadership, perseverance and commitment to excellence throughout the school year. Administrators, faculty and families applauded the accomplishments of the eighth-grade class as students reflected on their time at RJK and looked ahead to the opportunities that await them at Monticello High School.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Presidential Academic Awards, which recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance.
Presidential Excellence Award recipients
Anaya Alam, Ashley Barragan Lopez, Cristiano Caycho, Hang Tian Chen, Carter Cushing, Ka’Miya Dixon, Samuel Drabin-Gray, Julian Escobar, Aidan Fabricant, Melanie Fassell, Dylan Ferrer, Marco Francisco, Shaia Friehling, Lemuel George, Katin Irani, Arya Johonness, Cayden Keesler, Arianna Lentini, Nayeli Lezama, Olivia McAssey, Jasiah McGinnis, Balsam Metawee, Cooper Moss, Aleah Nedd, Vanessa Nix Franco, Saahil Padhiar, Jayneil Patel, Milania Rodriguez, Nada Sghairi, Steven Tenelema, Chelsea Timmons, Christian Trujillo, Aleena Urra, Claire Weyer, Ryan Willis, Dominic Wysokinski and Angela Zhang.
Presidential Achievement Award recipients
Stephen Alvarez, Chloe Brigman, Jenna Brundage, Juan Diaz, Noah Hernandez, Jase McGinnis, Luciana Paez Nieto and Kayson Poinsett.
Students were also recognized with class awards presented by their teachers for outstanding achievement, citizenship and effort across academic and elective subjects.
Class award recipients
English Language Arts
- Citizenship: Ka’Miya Dixon, Vanessa Nix Franco and Aiden Sanchez
- Best Effort: Aidan Fabricant, Jayneil Patel and Americus Moss
- Overall Subject Awards: Lemuel George, Hana Kurtagic and Pacey Simonson
ENL
- Citizenship: Joel Guaman Puma
- Best Effort: Ranses Jimenez Santos
- Overall Subject Award: Luciana Paez Nieto
Social Studies
- Citizenship: Cooper Moss, Marcella Amendola and Riley Young Henderson
- Best Effort: Harlow Roth, Arya Johonness and Brandon Spears
- Overall Subject Awards: Samuel Drabin-Gray, Shaia Friehling and Trina Mann
Science
- Citizenship: Luciana Paez Nieto, Denzel Justiniano-Rodriguez, Claire Weyer and Liam Scanlon
- Best Effort: Mason Balzano, Nicole Madrid Ponce, Aiden Matias and Riley Young Henderson
- Overall Subject Awards: Louie Pena Elvir and Cooper Moss
Mathematics
- Citizenship: Adeline M. Espana Avila, Arianna Lentini, Lena M. Felicetta and Jaydin Bedward
- Best Effort: Kiera Smalls, Marco Francisco, Aissa Williams and Marcella Amendola
- Overall Subject Awards: Monroe James, Steven Tenelema, Vanessa Nix Franco, Olivia McAssey and Bradan Spears
Spanish
- Citizenship: Amberly Santos Perez and Milania Rodriguez
- Best Effort: Patrick Chakar and Riley Young Henderson
- Overall Subject Awards: Juan Diaz and Katin Irani
Technology
- Citizenship: Joseph Quirindongo
- Best Effort: Virginia Colon
- Overall Subject Award: Shianne Holland
Art and Studio Art
- Citizenship: Jenna Brundage and Camden Watson
- Best Effort: Saahil Padhiar
- Overall Subject Awards: Pacey Simonsen and Ella Jackson
Music
- Chorus Citizenship: Nayeli Lezama
- Chorus Best Effort: Melanie Fassell
- Chorus Overall Subject Award: Cayden Keesler
- Orchestra Citizenship: Jenna Brundage
- Orchestra Best Effort: Angela Zhang
- Orchestra Overall Subject Award: Balsam Metawee
- Band Citizenship: Shaia Friehling
- Band Best Effort: Aleah Nedd
- Band Overall Subject Award: Jasiah McGinnis
Dance
- Citizenship: Kimberly Reyes Genis
- Best Effort: Aire’yah LeGrand
Physical Education Outstanding Performance Awards
- Lemuel George
- Cooper Moss
- Melanie Fassell
- Ciara Caston
In addition to the Presidential and Class Awards, Principal Sara Kozacuk presented student Aubry Moorer with the Commissioner’s Challenge of Character Award, also known as the “Triple C Award.” The Triple C Award, presented by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding character, courage and commitment in their school and community.
As the ceremony concluded, students crossed the stage to receive their certificates and celebrate this important milestone with their families and teachers. The Monticello Central School District congratulates the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Class of 2030 and wishes them continued success as they begin their high school careers.