Glen Head Fifth Graders Move Up!

Congratulations to all the Glen Head fifth graders who moved up on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in a ceremony held in the North Shore High School Theatre led by Principal Thomas Sheehan. The ceremony began with The Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner led by Yue (Daniel) Hu, Madeline Sidorowicz, and Arian Turbi. Then music teacher, Ms. Whitney Hackman, then led the fifth graders “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman and “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. Congratulations to the Glen Head Triple C award recipients include Gino Leon, Adelina Yang and Alma Wayner. Bravo to Isabella Muratore, the recipient of the Lou Marrone Award.

Principal Sheehan warmly welcomed the parents, family members, and friends in the audience and congratulated his fifth graders on this memorable day. He spoke to his fifth graders and told them he “loved” them and was so proud of them. He reminded them about their years at Glen Head and how much they have accomplished since kindergarten. Additionally, he told them that he was always there for them and that they were always welcomed back. Principal Sheehan then introduced Superintendent Dr. Christopher Zublionis who advised the graduates that they set the course for own lives– their GPS…he emphasized to be positive, believe in themselves, help others, and be kind. He stated, “In middle school, you can be both cool and kind...” He also said, “As you move to middle school and beyond, surround yourselves with friends and teachers who will encourage you to rise to a higher level and be your best.”

Dr. Z then introduced Principal Dr. Ryan O’Hara who welcomed the fifth graders to North Shore Middle School, congratulated them on their graduation, and said it was okay to be a little nervous. He asked them to tell him the things that made them uneasy about going to middle school, which included not being able to find their classrooms and maybe being bullied. He recited an original sonnet and said he couldn’t wait to see them in August! He stated that he was excited and proud to be their next principal at North Shore Middle School! Also in the audience were Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Dr. Carol Smyth, and Assistant Superintendent for Business, Mr. Jamie Pappas.

Then the moment everyone was waiting for arrived as Mr. Sheehan called each of the fifth graders to the podium to receive their diplomas. As the graduating class of 2026 was announced, all of their loving parents, families, and teachers in the audience proudly applauded with joy. Congratulations go out to Adriana Aminov, Noelle Aweh, Valentina Berrezueta Sarango, Jack Bono, Roman Campbell, Joseph Cetta, Mackenzie Chazan, Liam Chen, Emilia Corigliano, Nicholas DiMisa, Aaniyah Dogar, Evelia Dramisiotis, Georgiana Dramisiotis, Carmine Famiglietti, Owen Feldman, Jack Fisher, Milana Gatto, Melania Giannola, Francesco Gullo, Cora Hamm, Katherine Hatzipetrou, Leo Heraud, Yue Hu, Kayla Klein, Christian Kuchmek, Aria Kukar, Gino Leon, William Lim, Shuhang Lin, Presley Mapoy, Luke McCabe, James Mestousis, Liana Misk, Nikoleta Mountrakis, Isabella Muratore, Abigail Nasimova, Alexander Nkrumah, Joseph Nocerino, Lucas Pan, Elisha Park, Ella Passy, Sydney Petersen, Connor Petrilli, Mikaela Puglisi, Orfeas Nikanoras Raptis, Dominic Ruggeri, Brandon Salinas, Gabriel Samel, Alesso Scherillo, Hridik Sehgal, Aiden Seimer, Sonia Sethi, Bekim Shemsiu, Madeline Sidorowicz, Isabella Silva, Colin Sipley, Nala Trail, Evan Tsalapatanis, Arian Turbi, Dharmista Vats, Huyen Ban Wang, Spencer Wang, Alma Wayner, Krish Woo, Kunce Xiu, Adelina Yang, Fanmengying Yang, and Aaron Ye.

Thank you to all those who helped make this GH Moving Up Ceremony a success, including the fifth-grade teachers and the GH Fifth Grade Graduation Committee! Congratulations to the GH fifth grade "Class of 2026" and the North Shore High School Graduating Class of 2033 and their respective families! Best of luck at North Shore Middle School!

Have a happy and healthy summer! Go Vikings Go!

Article and photos by Shelly Newman