Eighth-grade class says farewell to Loomis Union elementary schools

The class of 240 eighth-grade students said goodbye to their elementary schools and hello to high school at the Loomis Union Promotion Ceremony held last week.The Del Oro gymnasium was filled with family and friends witnessing the event, which included a heartfelt welcome from school board president Gary Mattevi, whose own daughter was one of the graduating students."We're all proud of you," Mattevi told the students. And to the parents Mattevi said, "Thank you for loaning us your kids for the last nine years. This is an awesome group."Before the awarding of the diplomas, Mattevi recalled some of the history of the Loomis district, which he said began 154 years ago."The first graduating class had three or four students," he said. "Tonight there are 240."Mattevi's advice for the soon-to-be high-schoolers and their parents was to go easy on each other as there is no handbook to know exactly what to do for either group.The evening progressed with speeches from five students, one from each school who all were straight A students. Ashley Palmquist from Loomis Grammar School, Elise Verdooner from H. Clarke Powers, Emily Hentschke from Franklin, Taylor DuPriest from Penryn and Carly Allred from Placer all spoke of how much their elementary school years meant to them.Palmquist reminded her fellow graduates how they are all at the beginning of the rest of their lives and they will never stop learning.Verdooner stressed how education helps to carve the way to the future and even the wisest mind always has room for discovery."It's all up to you," she said.In addition to the five school speakers, 57 students who received a 4.0 grade point during their entire eighth grade year were recognized and awarded certificates by Nancy Melville, assistant superintendent of curriculum.Loomis Grammar School Principal Rick Judd awarded several students the American Legion Award which honors those who are good students and community leaders. They included: Emily Hentschke and Peter Weddle from Franklin, Diana Browne and Nicholas Koop from Placer, Lynda Davis and Colin Fluckiger from Powers, Amanda Moore and Leah Sainsbury from Loomis and Natalee Consulo and Trevor Rollins from Penryn.Superintendent Paul Johnson recognized one student from each school with the Loomis Lions Club service award."This is an award that exemplifies great citizens and overall outstanding performance," Johnson said.Students receiving the Lions Club plaque were: Shelby Bandula from Franklin, Natlie Johnson from Placer, Dane Smith from Powers, Meghan Jahnsen from Loomis and Toby Uptain from Penryn.School board member Jack Day concluded the awards portion of the evening with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to board president Mattevi who is resigning his position on the board as he is soon moving out of the district boundaries. Day told the crowd of Mattevi's dedication to the district during his tenure the last six years and how everyone wished him well.