Congrats Sea Cliff Fifth Graders!

Congratulations to all the Sea Cliff fifth graders who graduated on June 17, 2026, in a ceremony held in the Sea Cliff School Theatre led by Principal Ms. Megan McCormack. She warmly welcomed the parents and family members in the audience and congratulated everyone on achieving this incredible milestone. Principal McCormack said,” I'd like to share a special tradition at Sea Cliff School. Each year, our fifth-grade class creates and donates a class gift to the school. This year, the Class of 2026 designed and created the beautiful mosaic on our new podium that we are proudly revealing today. This meaningful gift will serve as a lasting legacy of your time at Sea Cliff School and will be treasured for years to come.”

During the memorable ceremony, the graduates spoke beautifully about their goals and dreams, including being teachers, veterinarians, poets, engineers lawyers, actors, artists, baseball players, and golfers, Additionally, Ms. Ashley Hasset-Bordes led the students in a few songs including “Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles) and “The Climb” (Miley Cyrus).

Ms. McCormack introduced and thanked Dr. Christopher Zublionis who reminded 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 will climb mountains, grow from that process, and climb bigger mountains ...” 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.”

Ms. McCormack introduced Principal Dr. Ryan O’Hara who warmly welcomed his incoming 6th graders to North Shore Middle School. He said that they will face new challenges academically and socially, but they were more than ready to face them and succeed! He asked them to tell him the things that made them nervous about going to middle school. Most said getting lost in the hallways and not being able to find their classrooms. He reminded them that they weren’t alone and that within the first week they would find their way! He reiterated that it was okay to be a little nervous; and that their parents were nervous too! He recited an original sonnet and said he couldn’t wait to see them in August!

Each of the students was then called to the podium to receive their diplomas from Principal McCormack in recognition of this unforgettable day. As the graduating class of 2026 was announced, all their loving families, peers, and teachers in the audience proudly applauded with joy.

Congratulations to Sienna Adragna, Sara Akin, Raphael Alvarado, Jude Andersen, Dahlia Balooch, Habibul Basher, Cameron Bernholz, James Breen, Luke Capeci, Yuri Chen, Nikki Chung, Crosby Cifarelli, Madilyn Citko, Patrick Clarke, William Clarke, Zoey DeBlasio, Annabelle DeRosa, Eamonn Donovan, Hunter Driskill, Andre Elgandashvili, Amy Fabiola, Ava Feldman, Harris Fischer, Andrew Flanzig, Victoria Fuller, Giacomo Gaudiuso, Elliot Hanley, Sebastian Hecker, Kayla Herman, Emilia Innamorato, Olivia Jiang, Richard Jiang, Henry Johnson, John Joseph, Cormac Levine, Mack Losquadro, Olivia Lovallo, Jordan Luciano, Luka Mendez Svatovic, Mackenzie Moss, Emilia Nakutavicius, Emma Ouellette, Violet Papamichael, Madyson Parra, Leo Pelosi, Antonio Petruccelli, Anna Phelps, Rowen Potter, Madeline Redenti, Ellis Schneidermesser, Maeve Schweiger, Marlowe Shaw-Morris, Peter Sinesi, Noah Sterling, Hadley Swinburne, Miles Topol, August Tran D'Ercole, Evan Vaynerman, Rachel Victorine, Valentina Ward, Jackson Warsaw, and Ephram Yohai.

Principal McCormack spoke to her students and stated, “As you continue your North Shore journey, I'd like to leave you with a few thoughts. Every great journey requires three things: a compass to guide you, a map to help you find your way, and a destination that inspires you to keep moving forward. As you travel toward that destination, I hope you carry with you these Five Stars (below) to light the way. As you begin this next chapter, carry the Five Stars with you wherever you go. Let them guide your decisions, inspire your dreams, and light your way. Keep smiling, keep learning, keep laughing, and always know that you can count on me.

- Be proud of who you are.

- Stay curious and keep learning—it never ends.

- If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

- Work hard and stay humble.

- Always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Additionally, she thanked everyone who made this SC Moving Up Ceremony a success including the fifth-grade teachers, music and art teachers, custodians, SC PCA, and the faculty, staff, and administration including Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Carol Smyth and Assistant Superintendent for Business, Mr. James Pappas, who attended the event!

After the ceremony, the faculty and younger Sea Cliff students lined up on the blacktop to cheer on their older fifth grade peers and wish them best of luck! Congratulations to the SC Class of 2026 and the HS graduating Class of 2033! Have a great summer! Go Vikings Go!

Article and photos by Shelly Newman