Corey Ramsey And Lindsy Holst Display The Commitment Banner Signed By 8th Grade Students At HMS.

The Centerpiece Of A Commitment Ceremony At HMS Middle School, 8th Grade Students Signed A Banner Pledging To Take The Steps Necessary To Graduate From High School. They Received A Gift As They Left The Stage.

Members Of The 8th Grade Class At HMS Are, From Left, Front Row, Lindsey Van Es, Jackie Ramirez, Jozelyn Torres, Caleb Sybesma, Lily Nellis, Evelyn Steffen, Madeline Flores; Second Row, Jard Leth, Josh Cruz, Jafet Ortiz, Nathan Stofferan, Aryanna Collins, Hadlee Rohlfsen, Margo Wilson, Ashyia Cherie Betz Murphy; Third Row, Hannah Tessum, Grace Shaughnessy, Pamela Mutombo, Reyna Tamayo, Leyla Nunez, Abigail Rons, Alvia Baker, Trannetta Hayes; Fourth Row, Draven Kruse, Isaac Schierholz, Natalie Daggett, Kaylee Newkirk, Clara Funk, Lillian Van Loon, Kaylee Walker, Jackson Van Beek, Evie Krogman; Back Row, Riley Russell, Lawton Schiphoff, Owen Tifft, David McIlroy, Kylar Wadsley, Tryton Crawford, Carter Dolphin, Camden Ball, Caleb Grotluschen. Absent From The Photo Were Payton Diehm, Jordan Lux, Moriah Otto And Jonathan Simkins.

At The Middle School Awards Ceremony Three Retiring Faculty Members, From Left, Carolyn Carlson, Becky Maloney And Juanita Anliker Were Recognized For Their Over 80 Years Of Service To Students In The HMS District. Thanking The Three Was Principal Corey Ramsey.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School held a Awards Ceremony on the afternoon of May 19. Students faculty and a few members of the students’ families filled the Middle School gym in Sanborn.
Middle School principal Corey Ramsey reminded the students of the power of education and said that the Ceremony was a way to celebrate “the great work our students have done this year.” The assembly of students returned the love, cheering loudly throughout the Ceremony for fellow students and faculty members alike.
Students from grades 5-8 were called to the stage to receive awards from the different departments: Math, Language, Science, Social, Art, Family Consumer Science, Music and Athletics.
Mr. Ramsey announced the winners of the various “most likely” awards as chosen by the students. The first annual Becky Maloney Kindness Awards were also presented.
One of the awards given by an organization outside the school was the Mi’Ono Club attendance award for the 8th grade. Club member Evelyn Kroese was present to talk about Mi’Ono and to announce that this year’s award went to Jordan Lux.
Speaker Emily Heneman, recent HMS graduate and class valedictorian, addressed the 8th grade students in regard to their journey to high school and what to expect.
Next on the agenda was an 8th grade commitment ceremony which took the place of the traditional evening 8th Grade graduation program. Mr. Ramsey cited statistics indicating the negative consequences associated with dropping out of high school. The 8th Grade students were invited, when their names were called, to come to the stage and sign a banner as a way of commiting to completing their high school education. According to the wording on the banner, the signees pledged to attend school regularly, achieve grades and credits necessary to graduate, be involved in high school activities and volunteer in the community. Ramsey said that the banner would be displayed at the high school in an area frequented by next year’s freshman class as a reminder of the commitment.
Last, but not least, three retirees were called forward to be recognized. Carolyn Carlson, Becky Maloney and Juanita Anliker have achieved a combined 89 years in education, with over 80 of those years spent serving HMS students. Mr. Ramsey thanked them for the “uncountable number of lives they have changed through the years.”