This article was originally published in the summer 2012 Harker Quarterly.

With family members flashing cameras like paparazzi, a group of excited fifth graders experienced their first Harker promotion ceremony, held June 5 at the Bucknall gymnasium.

The day began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Andrea Simonian, grade 5, followed by a special welcome address given by Chris Nikoloff, head of school. After Nikoloff’s greeting, the grade 4-6 dance group Dance Fusion performed “Let’s Get Loud!” choreographed by Gail Palmer.

Once the crowd was sufficiently pumped up, annual awards for citizenship, effort, fitness, and special academic and subject awards were given out one by one.

After the awards, everyone at the ceremony was treated to a slide show filled with memories from the past six years. Then, the promotion certificates themselves were presented to the students.

After the presentation of the certificates, the fifth graders performed “Like an Eagle” by Carl Strommen, followed by the Harker school song. Now officially middle schoolers, the grinning students were welcomed by the incoming middle school student body president. Finally, the day ended with closing remarks from Kristin Giammona, elementary school head. Congratulations to Harker’s former grade 5 students!