WATCH VIDEO: www.montville.net/8thgradepromotion
The 71st Annual Robert R. Lazar Middle School Promotion Ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Over 230 8th grade students were promoted to 9th grade.
The Robert R. Lazar Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Kenneth Korlishin played Elgar’s POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE as the 8th grade students entered the family-filled gymnasium.
Class President Zaara Metha led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
During the ceremony, the Lazar Middle School Select Choir, directed by Jordan Green, performed WE’LL RISE ABOVE by Lasky/Fukuda. A performance-time technical issue caused the choir to shift from accompanied to acapella. Their voices magnificently filled the Montville Township High School gymnasium, and set the stage for a moving tribute to the rising freshmen.
“We are here to celebrate and honor the achievements of our students as they move from 8th grade to 9th, and enter the high school stage of their academic careers,” Principal Michael Pasciuto said as he thanked the Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff.
“This has been a very special week for me personally,” said Pasciuto as he addressed the students and families. “First and foremost, is because, ever since this group of students entered Lazar, it has been nothing but a pleasurable and amazing experience. I will always be fond of this class. From day one of 6th grade, I enjoyed your personality, your drive, your leadership, and your ability to have easy conversations. Your three years combined have been very special.”
Pasciuto noted that his own son graduated from 8th grade just the day before the Lazar promotion ceremony.
“The week is special because this particular class will always be, in my mind, connected to my family. Seven years ago I became the principal of Lazar. You all were in second grade.”
Pasciuto challenged the students to consider where they were seven years ago, and where they hope to be in seven years.
“I want you to think about all the things that have happened in the past seven years and to contemplate how many of them really mattered. The moments that at the time seemed of utter importance and consumed your attention…do any of them really matter now?” Pasciuto asked. “The fact is that most of them, with all of the perceived significance in the moment, really do not matter. As you set forth to high school and then whatever you pursue after, remember that there is a very real difference between the moments, choices, and events that hold importance and those that are perceived to do so at the time. What truly matters are the connections you make, the relationships you develop, and the way you treat other people. When times get hard, your relationship with yourself and the foundation you set through connections to others are what you will lean on to get through.”
Pasciuto also encouraged the students to take advantage of all the opportunities that lie ahead. He noted that each student should choose to immerse themselves in activities that challenge.
Student Council President, Zaara Metha also addressed the 8th grade class.
“We will continue to persevere and grow as people,” Metha told her peers as she recounted their journey from the first day of middle school through to the evening’s promotion ceremony. “These last three years at Lazar have been an amazing experience. Whatever obstacles we faced, we overcame. With the lessons middle school has taught us, high school will be another successful chapter in our lives.”
Metha cited many activities that have built a strong foundation for each member of the Lazar Middle School Class of 2024. She noted their success in community service, their ability to rise above unexpected circumstances to succeed, and the lifelong impact “Living Lessons,” Lazar’s unique and renowned day of empathy that highlights resilience and kindness, will have on their futures.
“These years at Lazar have been worthwhile and ones to cherish,” Meta noted. “Thank you for all who came out tonight to support the Class of 2024.”
The brief speeches were followed by the presentation of awards.
The Morris County Superintendent’s Middle School Leadership Award was presented to Class President Zaara Mehta.
“The award is given to a student who serves as a positive role model and has had a positive impact on their school environment,” said School Counselor Deborah Meenan.
The Lynette Berdej Award was given to Ava Alessandra. Berdej was a Lazar teacher.
“This award is presented to a student with compassion, determination, kindness and integrity,” said teacher Michelle Trautman.
Teacher Jonathan Huppert presented the Todd Perrella Memorial Award to Rania Hakimi.
“This award is presented to a student who demonstrates determination and courage in the face of adversity, Huppert said.
Mary Grace Guinnelly received the 2024 Michelle Sullivan Memorial Award.
“This award is given to an 8th grade girl who reflects and embodies the very special qualities of Michelle Sullivan – a gentle, good-natured individual; responsible and diligent in work habits; a sensitive, involved and helpful peer,” explained Huppert as he presented the award to Guinnelly.
Assistant Principal Michael Shera presented the Carol Lazar Snyder Memorial Award.
“This is a career first for me,” Shera said as he stepped to the podium. “This is the first time that I am able to present an award to a student who I taught her mother in Montville High School.”
Brielle Cuccia was honored with the Carol Lazar Snyder Memorial Award. The award is presented each year in memory of Robert R. Lazar’s daughter Carol. Robert Lazar is the former administrator for whom the Montville Township middle school is named.
“This award is presented to a student who embodies the qualities of kindness, generosity, helpfulness and well-rounded school citizenship,” Shera explained.
The Presidential Gold Awards were presented by Assistant Principal John Piselli. These awards recognized students who earned an “A” in all subject areas during all three years at Robert R. Lazar Middle School. The recipients were: Srushika Bhavanolam, Henry Chen, Isabella Hsieh, Katherine Huang, Jonathan Marino, Marissa Mathew, Zaara Metha, Emylene Quan, Viraj Sharma, Demetra Triantafyllou, and Anika Yadiki.
Principal Pasciuto presented the Principal’s Leadership Award. Each year, the name of the recipient of this award is engraved on a nameplate and is placed on a plaque in the Lazar lobby. Pasciuto noted that this award is given to a good leader who supports the school community. “As in previous years, selecting the recipient of the Principal Leadership Award was not an easy process. Multiple students stood out for their leadership and support of our school’s community. Pasciuto noted, “This year’s recipient was chosen because of their reliability, participation, and, of course, leadership. He was also an integral part of planning and executing various events sponsored by the student council, and we often joke that this young man was ready to join our staff.”
The 2024 Principal’s Leadership Award was given to Jackson Greeley.
Before officially promoting the Lazar 8th Grade students, Principal Pasciuto took a moment to recognize those teachers who will be retiring from Robert R. Lazar Middle School this year. They are: Nancy Bostwick, Judy Gothelf (Founder and Co-Chair of Lazar’s “Living Lessons” program), Deborah Meenan, Meri Merkt and Antonio Totino.
“A special not to Judy Gothelf,” Pasciuto said as he congratulated all the retirees. “Thank you for the gift of ‘Living Lessons,’ and all that you have done to impact the lives of the people in this community.”
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Gorman and Montville Township Board of Education President Dr. David Modrak joined Principal Pasciuto in shaking the hands of each of the Lazar Class of 2024 8th grade graduates.
TRUMPET VOLUNTARY by Clark/Pearson, under the direction of Thomas Sansone, was performed by the Lazar Symphonic Band as the Recessional.
The 71st Annual Robert R. Lazar Middle School Promotion Ceremony was held in the Montville Township High School gymnasium.
The Lazar eighth grade students officially completed the academic year on June 20, 2024 with a final half-day of school.
The entire Robert R. Lazar Middle School 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony can be viewed on YouTube at www.montville.net/8thgradepromotion.
CAPTION: Class President Zaara Metha led the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the STAR SPANGLED BANNER and addressed her peers and their families at the 71st Annual Robert R. Lazar Promotion Ceremony. “These last three years at Lazar have been an amazing experience. Whatever obstacles we faced, we overcame. With the lessons middle school has taught us, high school will be another successful chapter in our lives,” Metha said. Over 230 8th grade students were promoted at the ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.