Congratulations Middle School Eighth Graders!

Congratulations to all the North Shore Middle School eighth graders who graduated on June 25, 2026! Principal Dr. Ryan O’Hara took the stage and welcomed his students as well as all their loving parents and family members to the Moving On ceremony in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University. Principal O’Hara stated how proud he was of all his 8th graders and that they were more than ready to “Move On” to North Shore High School. He read them an original poem and reminded them to “Live the SHORE Way!” He also thanked all the parents, faculty, board members, and administrators in the audience.

During the ceremony, many of the eighth graders graciously received awards while others reflected about their years at North Shore Middle School including Ryan Hollander, Alice Lin and Lawrence Zhang, Panagiota Makridis, and Eliana Shemsiu.

Congratulations to the following students:

- The S.H.O.R.E Way Award: Matthew Luciano, Abigail Grimshaw

- Striking Viking Award: Louis Kletter

- Faculty Award: Holly Freund, Boris llyabayev

- Board of Education Award: Tyler Yoo, Matthew Marulli, Eliana Ecker

- Andrew Fierstein Award: Sofia Prosperi, Francesco Cenatiempo

- Bob Williams Award: Andrew Ricci, Amelie Elbaum, Connor Cleary

- John Perro Award: Philip Aberg, Victoria Leung

- American Legion Award: Dylan Shedlick, Despina Tzoumas

- The Kiwanis Club Award: Hailey Schwartz, Alexei Kallaur, Gwyneth Baehr,

Lucas D'Altorio

- Principal's Academic Excellence Award: Philip Aberg, Zoey Ahn, Charleston Chew, Christopher Deng, Mia Elgandashvili, Boris Ilyabayev, Isabelle Kattan, Noah Kleinman, Kacy Lin, Nicholas Martynek, Matthew Marulli, Alexander Paradiso, Colin Penney

- Nicole Larkin Memorial Award: Dylan Shedlick

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Zublionis was introduced and reminded everyone that middle school is often thought of as the toughest years. He stated, “…that they have an amazing journey ahead of them where they will climb mountains, reflect, and learn from their climb, and go on to climb even bigger mountains…” He told them to “Run the Line…. like in running races he referenced to keep striving and not stop at the finish line but go passed it…” Best of luck to the North Shore Middle School Class of 2026 and the North Shore High School Class of 2030!

Towards the end of the ceremony, all the eighth graders were individually called on to receive their diplomas during the “Presentation of Class” ceremony led by Principal Dr. Ryan O’Hara and Assistant Principal Dr. Maram Mabrouk. They had grown up so much during these three short years at North Shore Middle School and were all excited to move on to the high school where they could have more independence, take many new courses, and expand their circle of friends. In addition, Principal Eric Contreras was the first to warmly welcome his incoming freshman class to North Shore High School. He

told them how proud he was and that he would always be here for them. He reminded them, “Not to change and that they are perfect the way they are today with all their imperfections....”

Principal O'Hara again congratulated his students and reminded them to come back and visit, especially since North Shore Middle School was just across the street! He then congratulated a very special group of teachers and staff that were retiring this year.

Congratulations to all the North Shore Middle School eighth graders! We wish you, the Class of 2026, only the best as you “Move On” to North Shore High School. We know you are ready for all the challenges and wonderful things ahead. Please enjoy your summer and we will see you in September!

Article and photos by Shelly Newman