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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - Fourth-grade students at Bedford Road School bid farewell to their school of five years Thursday morning during an emotional graduation ceremony at Pleasantville High School.
Proud fourth-grade parents, including high school Principal Dawn Bartz and school board-elect Larry Boes, packed the auditorium to watch their students move on from the only school they have known.
Speaking on behalf of the soon-to-be middle school students was Student Council President Matthew Colmenares, who made it halfway through his speech before the tears started to flow.
"I'm getting emotional," Colmenares said to the crowd of family members and teachers, leading to a consoling hug from Principal Peggy Galotti.
"These were the best five years of our lives," he continued. "Now it's time for us to move on."
Vice President Meghan McLane used her speech to detail her favorite BRS memories from kindergarten up to fourth grade. She also spoke with excitement about making new memories at Pleasantville Middle School next year.
"Thank you to Mrs. Galotti, [Assistant Principal Cindy] Kramer and all the fourth grade teachers who have prepared us to enter middle school," McLane said. "All the confidence you gave us at BRS will last a lifetime."
Thursday's event was also a farewell for retiring music teacher Alan Fennell, who led the fourth grade students in singing "Gonna Rise Up Singin'" and "Like an Eagle." Fennell was joined on drums by students Jack Raffalli and Daniel Bucci.
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