By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
On June 16, family and friends gathered to celebrate the new Class of 2026 at the Eighth Grade Promotion Exercises, held at The Liacouras Center at Temple University. Over 370 students processed in among cheers and applause, as they ended one part of their academic careers and prepared to make the next step to high school.
“This is our first time having our promotion at The Liacouras Center. We wanted to do something special for these students, since they endured so much over the past two years,” said Ms. Sandra Allen, principal of Howard M. Phifer Middle School. “Class of 2026, this has been another challenging year. We tried to make your eighth-grade year as enriching and memorable as possible.
“The Phifer teachers and staff and administration are going to miss you. We’ve watched you grow from scared little sixth graders to students who were quarantined for over a year, to eighth graders who hadn’t been in a full building in over a year. You handled all the challenges thrown at you and still managed to focus on your academics and pass your classes. We hope that we have prepared you and you are ready to move on to much bigger and better opportunities.
“Congratulations! Be proud of yourselves. Remember how hard you worked to get here and continue to work. You can accomplish anything you want if you stay focused.”
Student Council representative Jasmine Thach addressed all in attendance on behalf of her peers in the Class of 2026. Her message was one of both appreciation and excitement for the future.
“First, I would like to give my thanks to all the teachers and staff at Phifer. Without your support, there’s little doubt that this year would have been much harder for all of us,” said Thach. “Secondly, I would like to give my thanks to all the teachers, parents, family members, and friends that have helped us along the way. Through thick and thin, you’ve stayed with us and pushed us to greater heights. Lastly, I would like to applaud my peers. You’ve made it, after everything we’ve been through.
“This chapter of our lives will always be unforgettable. Bring with you what you have now to the high school, or wherever you’re going. Let us continue to grow and continue to persevere through the challenges this life throws at us. Let’s keep going, past wherever we thought we could go.”
During the promotion exercises, over 40 students were recognized with various awards, honoring individuals for their leadership qualities, as well as their significant academic accomplishments. Following the awards, Pennsauken Board of Education President Nick Perry encouraged students to work hard and make positive decisions that will set them up for success in years to come.
“Your future is in your hands. You have to make that choice now,” said Mr. Perry. “Make sure that you work hard like have so far, that your parents are proud of the work that you’ve done. The future is there for you; you just have to take advantage of it.”
Immediately following was the official introduction of students. Each eighth grader walked on stage when their name was called; and each was met with cheers and applause from their loved ones. Board of Education member Ms. Lisa Eckel then spoke the words that these students and their families were waiting to hear.
“On behalf of the Board of Education of Pennsauken School District, I certify that these eighth graders have met all of the requirements set forth by Pennsauken School District and the State of New Jersey,” said Eckel. “So by the power invested in me, I hereby declare the Class of 2026 to be promoted to Pennsauken High School, with all the rights and entitlements it bears.”
To close out the ceremony, the eighth grade chorus, under the direction of Ms. Dyan Conklin, sang “Imagine” by John Lennon. The song had a poignant message: that these students can make their dreams a reality and that they could be a source of positive change in the world.
Emboldened by these messages of hope and encouragement, Pennsauken’s new ninth graders processed out of The Liacouras Center, excited to begin high school as the Class of 2026.
