Return to Headlines

PMS students eye success moving up to high school, beyond

Asaliyah Lander shakes hands with Poughkeepsie Middle School Interim Principal Robert Parkes during the school’s ceremonyZhariah Atkinson is looking forward to taking part in extracurricular programs and joining sports teams.

Nathaniel Franco is eager for new experiences and to stay focused through the next four years.

Heavenly Priester is aiming for scholarship offers from multiple colleges, to pursue nursing or veterinary medicine.

For 157 Poughkeepsie students, middle school is over. And while Tuesday’s moving up ceremony was a time for laughter, celebration and looking back on classroom fun, many high school-bound Pioneers said they know the hard work of graduating high school is just beginning.

“I’m just feeling like I’ve got to stay prepared and do what I got to do to make it far,” Josiah James said in-between posing for photos with friends outside the middle school. “I need to stay in school, behave myself and focus.”

Interim Principal Robert Parkes focused on preparing for the future in addressing Poughkeepsie High School’s Class of 2028 early in the ceremony.

Nalani Dawes recites the Pledge of Allegiance while Yareli Juarez translates in sign language“After today, you’re going to be ninth graders,” he said. “No one says ‘I regret getting so many A’s and B’s in high school.’ People do say ‘I regret getting so many D’s and F’s in high school,’ right? So, my piece of advice is, as ninth graders, there’s no second chance. As 10th graders, there’s no second chance.

“You’re competing with scholars that are all over the world. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have $300,000 in my pocket to pay for college,” he said. “I want you to have choices. If you get A’s… you’re going to have choices. I want you to be able to have six, seven, eight scholarships lined up and ready to go.”

After students entered the auditorium to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” Nalani Dawes recited the Pledge of Allegiance while Yareli Juarez translated in sign language. Later, two high school seniors served as the keynote speakers, Kate Lopez Santiago – who delivered her speech in English and in Spanish – and Peter Sealy Jr.

“Don’t be afraid to show your intelligence,” Sealy said. “Strive to make your voice heard. It’s very important. Adults want to hear from you. People want to hear from you. The world is waiting to hear your voice. Gain the intelligence, gain the courage throughout high school so that as young adults you can be champions for yourself and champions for others.”

Sealy, the student liaison to the Board of Education, also encouraged parents in the audience to “be the rock for your child to lean on.”A group of Poughkeepsie Middle School students pose for photos outside the school after the moving up ceremony

In addition to certificates of middle school completion, school leaders handed out awards to students for the top achievers and most improved in the areas of ELA, math, social studies, science and language, as well as annual awards for citizenship, leadership and other areas of excellence. Ryeli Alfaro had the highest average overall and earned honors in ELA and math.

“I would say it was a great ceremony,” said Atkinson, who was named a Fred Hanlon Leadership Award winner along with Asaliyah Lander. “I’m glad that everyone who deserved it got recognized and all the parents got to see their child.”