{"id":16393,"date":"2019-06-26T16:09:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-26T20:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.successacademies.org\/?post_type=education_blog&p=16393"},"modified":"2025-04-24T15:52:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T15:52:28","slug":"sa-8th-graders-are-ready-to-take-on-the-next-big-challenge","status":"publish","type":"education_blog","link":"https:\/\/www.successacademies.org\/education-blog\/sa-8th-graders-are-ready-to-take-on-the-next-big-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"SA 8th Graders Are Ready to Take On the Next Big Challenge!"},"content":{"rendered":"

On June 21, scholars, staff, and families gathered to celebrate 400 Success Academy eighth graders as they graduated from middle schools<\/a> across the network. Scholar speakers from each school shared their favorite memories and proudest achievements \u2014 and set ambitious goals for high school. We\u2019re so proud of our scholars who gave it their all this year and who never stop trying! Our speakers were incredibly thoughtful in addressing their peers and thanking their teachers and families, so we wanted to share a few excerpts from the big day. We hope you are as inspired by these words of wisdom as we were! <\/span><\/p>\n

Amaris Asiedu, SA Harlem North West Middle School<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cIn this graduating class, I see the future lawyers, doctors, mathematicians, game developers, technicians, artists and musicians, and much more. But it will take determination, motivation, encouragement and hard work, your blood, sweat and tears, to overcome each obstacle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to learn new and innovative ways to accomplish your goals. Society presents people with many challenges based on the color of their skin, where they are from, the language they speak, who they love, and much more. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t let these burdens and restraints get to you and make you give up because giving up means failing yourself and millions who might not come after you.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel Bochman, SA Midtown West Middle School <\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cEighth grade is an awesome community because we don\u2019t have cliques. There are no popular girls saying \u201cyou can\u2019t sit with us\u201d or jocks beating people up in the hall. A large part of this is due to our teachers and leadership, who do an incredible job making sure we have a safe space at school. But I\u2019d also like to give some credit to the eighth grade. Ever since we were fifth graders, I have been honored to know a group of such talented, incredible, amiable people. And I\u2019m even more honored to be able to hang out with you all every day, whether we\u2019re building a giant pencil tower, singing Bohemian Rhapsody in public, crying over <\/span>Endgame<\/span><\/i>, camping out in Nowheresville, Pennsylvania, or just being together. Not as separate circles of friends, but as one eighth grade.<\/span><\/p>\n

I know I don\u2019t just speak for myself when I say we\u2019re no longer a bunch of kids forced to be in the same building. I know I don\u2019t just speak for myself when I say we\u2019ve laughed together, cried together, and built each other up to the point where we\u2019re more than a grade. We\u2019re a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Destiny Dembele, SA Harlem North Central Middle School <\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we transition from \u201cspots on the rug\u201d and walking in uniformed lines to creating our own steps, our time at Harlem North Central has prepared us to express our individuality and write our own story. It is our responsibility to be individuals and create a story that can be passed on and remembered by others. As we graduate today and move on to high school, I challenge you to embrace your uniqueness, your identity, the color of your skin, and use that to guide you in the decision that you make, for our world depends on a collective group of passionate individuals who can accept the realities of our past and change them in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brianna Edwards, SA Harlem East Middle School<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that the transition to high school won\u2019t be an easy one, but some of the difficulties we faced during middle school \u2014 specifically in eighth grade \u2014 have prepared us for our next challenge. If this school year has taught me anything it\u2019s that having support and knowing what you want allows you to accomplish anything. As students of color, we have made history, and were some of the first eighth graders in New York State to take the U.S. History and Government Regents exam, which is traditionally an eleventh grade exam (shoutout Mr. Relyea and Ms. Levey). And we will continue making history as future athletes, politicians, and entertainers because if we continue to push ourselves \u2014 especially when no one is watching \u2014 in the next four years, there is no doubt in my mind that we all will achieve great things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Skye Flores, SA Bed-Stuy Middle School <\/strong><\/p>\n

“We are the first 8th grade class to graduate from SA Bed-Stuy Middle School, which makes this an extra special occasion as we are the first to lead and represent BSMS. As the inaugural class we have an obligation to lead to teach our fellow scholars to keep their eyes on the prize and not to give up even in the times that they are tired. I have no words for all we have achieved and leaders we became.<\/p>\n

“You may see this as the end but it is actually the beginning of our success.<\/p>\n

This 8th grade class has a lot of potential and I know we could go on to do great things. We will all have the opportunity to get scholarships to top colleges and make a lot of money as long as we don\u2019t slack off. Thank You For everything.”<\/p>\n

Jarlyn Carreras<\/b>, SA Bronx 2 Middle School  <\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cYou all have the potential to excel in whatever area you choose to work in, as long as you apply yourself. But you can\u2019t leave all this work to the teachers. You have to be responsible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLetting yourself go is a mistake, slacking at the end of the race is the worst decision you\u2019ll make. The end of the race is the most important, because it\u2019s the make or break, the game changer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, my final words to you as a whole: Stay strong, stay steady, and stay ready, because life will keep you on your toes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yanni Kalofolias, SA Harlem North West Middle School<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to thank my mom and dad for pushing me forward and getting me through the year, and I hope all my peers feel the same about their families’ support, because we, as students, could not be who we are or achieve what we want to achieve without the support of our parents and families. I also want to thank all my teachers for their hard work and for always believing in us. Class of 2027, high school is going to hold challenges that, at times, might appear insurmountable, but we just have to continue trying and keep our goals in sight. I know that positive, motivated thinking can help all of us overcome any hurdles that arise. Good luck in the future, and thanks for this wonderful year!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Isaac Pierre<\/b>, SA Harlem West Middle School<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was younger I always wanted a superpower. I always wanted something to make me feel like a hero. But as I stand here now, I realize that my fellow graduates all share a common superpower: intelligence. It\u2019s that intelligence that’s going to cure cancer; it\u2019s that intelligence that is going to make the next hit album; it\u2019s that common superpower that’s going to help me be the next Barack Obama. I am not scared of what’s to come. As I look around at my fellow graduates, I see great potential. I see them using their superpower to solve problems, overcome challenges, and leave the world a better place.\u201d  <\/span><\/p>\n

Johnethan Rivera,<\/strong> SA Bed-Stuy Middle School <\/strong><\/p>\n

“We are just getting started on our journey to the top guys \u2014 we must \u201cPersevere\u201d !!<\/p>\n

“I want to see all of us there sitting at the top !! I will miss all of you. I encourage you all to follow your dream. Never give up and whatever you do, put your Mind and as well as your Heart into it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16394,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[40],"tags":[127,46,23],"class_list":["post-16393","education_blog","type-education_blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-our-scholars","tag-graduation","tag-middle-school","tag-scholar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSA 8th Graders Are Ready to Take On the Next Big Challenge! | Success Academy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Success Academy's 8th graders are ready to tackle their next big challenge! 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