West Seattle schools: Belated congrats to Madison’s 8th graders

(Riley Bunch at Madison Middle School’s 8th-grade promotion event)
Before the end of the school year gets too far in the rear-view mirror, we have one more story to share: Madison Middle School‘s Jeanne Merritt shares a photo and the story of Madison’s 8th-grade promotion earlier this week:

Madison Middle School eighth graders were promoted Monday night in a well-attended ceremony at West Seattle High.

Four student speakers reminisced about their social and educational experiences at Madison.

The inspirational speaker was Jesse Hagopian, former Madison teacher. He spoke about his experience being in the Haiti earthquake. Also, when the graduating eighth grade students were in seventh grade, Mr. Hagopian became a father. At that time he assigned the students to write letters of advice to a father. At the promotion ceremony Mr. Hagopian then turned that good advice back to the students.

The story continues with more on the students who were honored – and some adults, too!

Music was interspersed through the program. Madison’s award-winning jazz band played as students entered. During the program they played “In the Dog House” which showcased individual students. Additionally, two girls sang an inspirational song, and another girl sang a beautiful solo.

Sixteen students won trophies for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average through all three years at Madison. Nineteen students received Principal Awards. In additional to maintaining a strong academic focus, these students demonstrated exemplary citizenship by being involved in a variety of charitable and civic activities, indicating that they clearly cared about making this world a better place.

Each year Madison presents two students with the Seymour Kaplan Humanitarian Award. This award goes to students who go out of their way to help others. This year’s winners were Riley Bunch (top photo) and Oscar Mwaba. Congratulations!

Parents play a vital role in the success of students at Madison. This year, parent volunteer Diane Szender was given the Golden Acorn Award. Thank you, Ms. Szender!

Three Madison educators were recognized for excellence: Math teacher Shira Brewer, Special Education teacher Juan Rubio, and school nurse Samara Hoag.

Madison teacher Lynelle Beaulaurier retired this year. At promotion she spoke to students about the importance of education, and in her final remarks she had a personal request: “Consider your fellow human beings. We are members of—humankind—be both: Human and Kind.”