Ready to leave elementary school behind, fifth-graders and their parents gathered at Northeast Elementary School last night for a celebration of the graduating class.
Iliana Jelloe, 11, is one of the 75 students who will mark their last day as Northeast fifth-graders Friday.
"I think it's a really big step for me in my life," she said. "It was extremely awesome here."
Jelloe will go on to Kennedy Middle School.
Parents gathered last night in the school's gymnasium and were treated to musical selections from the school's chorus, band and orchestra. Every student was presented with a certificate of appreciation, a yearbook DVD and a bright yellow T-shirt.
Principal Nadene Stein congratulated the outgoing students.
"Since kindergarten, they've been learning not only how to become better students, but better people," she said. "I think they have very strong educational values and core values from attending Northeast. They're going to do a fine job at both Kennedy and McDevitt (middle schools)."
Justin Ventura, 11, said he had mixed emotions about leaving Northeast.
"I'm feeling sad and also happy at the same time. I feel I had so much experience in this school," he said. "I'm going to miss everything, from the teachers to the homework. I love my friends and my teachers. I had fun the whole time."
Anthony Cole, 11, said he was upset that one of his close friends would be attending McDevitt Middle School while he attends Kennedy Middle School.
"My one good friend Wesley DiOlivero, he's going to McDevitt," he said. "I only knew him one year, but made really good friends with him."
Art teacher Gerald Gross said he's going to miss this year's class of fifth-graders but believes they are ready to take the plunge.
"They're all dressed up tonight," he said. "I told them next year when they're all dressed up like this, they'll be at their first dance and they will all be on different sides of the room."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
