PMS 8th graders celebrate accomplishments, look forward to high school success

After a year in which he established a standard for Poughkeepsie Middle School students to strive to meet, Barrington Atkins set an example while saying goodbye to his first class of eighth grade students.
The first-year principal reminded them, the “foundation” for his becoming a leader in the school, community and county, was “built here, in the City of Poughkeepsie,” as a city native himself.
“My journey is proof that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish,” he said. “Be proud of where you come from. … There’s greatness here in the city. There’s talent here in the city. There’s brilliance in the city. And the greatness is sitting right here before us this morning, and that’s our graduates.”
Poughkeepsie Middle School on Wednesday held its 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony at Poughkeepsie High School’s newly renovated auditorium, honoring 187 students.
The ceremony capped a resurgent year under Atkins and his administrative team in which students and teachers agree the trajectory of the school was pointed in a positive direction both academically and behaviorally, for the first time in years.
In order to qualify to participate in the festivities, students needed to have passed at least all but one of their classes – 141 passed every class – in addition to other behavioral requirements. The group was the largest the school has celebrated this decade.
Atkins called it “a special day” that was “deeply personal for me,” being that it was his first class leaving the building.
“This morning, we gather to celebrate your accomplishments, your growth, your perseverance and your journey that has brought you to this important milestone in your life,” he said.
In addition to certificates for completing eighth grade, many students earned awards for individual academic excellence, improvement or citizenship. At the outset of the ceremony, music teacher Mike Colucci led some of the honorees in performing the national anthem as members of the high school’s Air Force Junior ROTC presented the colors.
High school Class of 2026 Valedictorian Israa Hadine and Salutatorian Aubrey Wood served as guest speakers and offered congratulations.
“As you sit here today, you are (at) an exciting crossroad. Middle school is coming to an end and high school is just around the corner,” Hadine told the younger students, before emphasizing the importance of continued perseverance. “One of the most valuable lessons you learn won’t come from your successes, but from the moments when things do go according to plan.”
Often, eighth graders were referred to as both the middle school’s Class of 2026 and the high school’s Class of 2030. That duality is important to keep in mind, Superintendent of School Gregory Mott said.
“It’s 187 of you. I expect, and I’m hopeful, that 187 will receive their diploma in 2030,” he said. “And, based upon what I’ve heard, what I’ve read and what I have analyzed in the data, you are prepared.”
Mott also had a message of congratulations to the school’s student support staff, administrative team and Atkins, himself.
“I just had one teacher whispering back in my ear: ‘Mr. Mott, can we keep him?’” he said, eliciting cheers and sounds of approval from the attendees. “Take a bow, Mr. Atkins, you’ve done a fantastic job.”