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Independence Middle School proudly recognized its eighth grade students for their outstanding academic, musical, and leadership achievements at the 2024 Eighth Grade Awards Program.
Independence Middle School proudly recognized its eighth grade students for their outstanding academic, musical, and leadership achievements at the 2024 Eighth Grade Awards Program.
The event commenced with a warm welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Racquel Sutton, setting the stage for an inspiring celebration of student excellence.
Highlights of the awards and honorees are as follows:
- American Legion Award: Veronica Balkovec and Seath Rovers
- Russell Kurtz Award: Seath Rovers and Chance Nannini
- Principals’ Award: Aruzhan Akhmetkhali, Tessa Braham, Alexander Gierlack, Jonah Mercurio, Charlize-Irene Richards, Nathaniel Stewart
- Counselor’s Award: Lily Tinney
- National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award: Jane McCann
- World Language Award – Spanish: Sam Bell, Magnolia Cavagnaro, and Jane McCann
- World Language Award – French: Ciera Erbrecht and Grant Gealey
- World Language Award – Latin: Mia Hogue
- World Language Award – German: Sydney Kellander and James Warden
- Nancy Gleason Gavola Award in Drama: Tessa Braham and Joshua Chamberlin
- Fine Arts Awards: Alyssa Abel, Magnolia Cavagnaro, Ciera Erbrecht, Sydney Kellander,
- Ella Korb, LJ McCann, Isabella Nuovo, Jacob Pitoniak, Aiden Rea, and Eliza Sterbal
- Suzanne Reid Music Award: Sydney Kellander and Eliza Sterbal
- Stephen Chbosky Writing Award: Seath Rovers (Argumentative) and Addison Linz (Narrative)
- Marissa Boyan Scholar-Athlete Award: Presley Thimons and Ben Thomas
- IMS Athletic Academic Award (Best Team GPA): Eighth Grade Girls Soccer Team
- Stephanie Petit Award – Team Freedom: Aruzhan Akmetkhali and Grant Gealey
- Stephanie Petit Award – Team Integrity: Ryan Krappweiss and Jane McCann
- Stephanie Petit Award – Team Liberty: Jenna Benlock and Jordan Tewell
- Perfect Attendance Award: Aiden Jennings
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt closing comments from Sutton, marking the end of a memorable event highlighting the diverse talents and hard work of the eighth-grade students at Independence Middle School. The school community is immensely proud of all the honorees and their remarkable achievements.