Royal Oak Middle School Celebrates 8th-Graders’ Achievements

Parents, teachers, family and friends packed Dondero Auditorium on Friday to honor and congratulate the 2011  eighth-grade class.

For the roughly 360 students ending their middle school careers and looking toward high school (and parents), it was an emotional time. Many students received accolades for high grades, good citizenship and attendance. Additionally, several students were recognized with special awards, which were "top secret" until revealed at the awards ceremony.

Six students received the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution Award for honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism: Sarah George, Evan Gulock, Benjamin Hill, Manon Nitta, Matthew Smith and Cassandra Zavislak.

The Tech Ed award recipient was Victoria Hall.

Performing Arts awards also were given.

• Orchestra: The Director’s Award, the highest award for orchestra, was given to Alexandria Hamlin.
• Band: The Bull Dog Award, honoring all A’s on tests throughout the year, plus being prepared for class daily and other criteria was given to: Meghan Duffey, Lexi Kangas and Matthew Smith; Outstanding Musician was awarded to Olivia Resto and Matt Smith; Musical Creativity in Solo Work was awarded to Katie Ferrero, who also won the coveted Director’s Award, band’s top honor.

"I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Eighth Grade Band," said Janet Von Eberstein, band instructor and Performing Arts Coordinator for the district. "Not only are they talented instrumentalists, they are fine ladies and gentlemen. It has been a pleasure having them in class for three years at ROMS." 

The Eighth Grade Choir, which performed during the awards ceremony, consisted of 88 students this year. For its last performance, the choir sang, "The Bulldog Days Are Over," with Mollie Barnes playing guitar to the new lyrics written by students including Hannah Kindred, Taylor White and Bryanna Nickerson and "Don't Stop Believing." The final song, "For Good,"  featured soloists Leah Cobb, Sarah George, Benjamin Hill, Edwina Luokkala-Burckhardt and Olivia Lehnertz. It was an emotional close to the ceremony as the song was dedicated to Principal Cecilia Boyer, who is retiring.

ROMS Choral Director Diane Mehringer had the difficult task of choosing who received the Director’s Award, choir’s top honor, as many of the students excelled in several categories, such as State Honors Choir, Solo and Ensemble Festivals, Show Choir, school tours and more. "I have been so proud of the musicianship and teamwork shown within our choir this year," Mehringer said in an email. "So many of our students have a passion for music, as a singer, dancer, choreographer, song writer, instrumentalist, and concert attendee.”

Recipients of this year’s Director’s Award for choir are Leah Cobb, Benjamin Hill, Olivia Lehnertz and Robert Wilson.

“… I wish I could have given out 85 more of these,” Mehringer said. ”It has been an honor to be their teacher and I will truly miss them."

If you have photos from Friday's awards ceremony you'd like to share, upload them here or email them to Beth.Valone@Patch.com.