HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Officials recognized 42 eighth-grade students from Hanscom School during a graduation ceremony June 17.
Faculty, school district officials, family and friends attended to celebrate the milestone.
“Tonight we celebrate and honor the accomplishments of our graduates,” said Erich Ledebuhr, Hanscom School principal. “They have completed their studies and will move forward to the opportunities and challenges of high school.”
Ledebuhr offered graduates advice to help prepare them for the transition to high school.
“Success is not measured by grades, awards or accomplishments,” he said. “It is measured by how you treat others, how you respond to challenges and the kind of person you choose to be when no one is watching.”
Students Kaydenz Edwards and Paisleigh Wagner spoke about overcoming challenges and the support they received from faculty.
“My teachers told me to believe in myself,” said Kaydenz. “They guided me and consistently pushed me to do my best.”
Pasleigh also expressed gratitude to faculty.
“I would like to thank every teacher and coach for giving me opportunities to grow and have so many memorable experiences,” she said.
Parry Graham, superintendent of Lincoln, Massachusetts, schools, Matina Madrick, Lincoln School Committee chair, and Lt. Col. Jonathan Ng, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, presented diplomas to the graduates.
Of the 42 graduating students, 22 will attend Bedford High School in Bedford, Mass., six will attend Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica, Mass., and one will attend a private school in the fall.
Ten students are moving with their families to other bases this summer.