Friday, July 18, 2025
It was a week of joy and celebration for two Merrick elementary schools as they honored their respective students with moving up ceremonies.
Birch School graduated 97 members of its sixth grade Class of 2025 beneath an arch of black and gold balloons on stage at John F. Kennedy High School on June 23.
Student Council co-presidents Harper and Brody greeted guests and recounted fond memories from their time at Birch.
“As the years passed, we became stronger, more confident, and more independent,” said Harper. “We know if we work hard, stay open-minded and stay focused, we can accomplish anything.”
Principal Kerri Galante shared how she tries to focus her moving up speeches on a topic students can connect to. While delving into her analogy about group chats, she noted how these became a “digital hangout spot" for sports teams and classwork discussions.
“Group chats are where a lot of your everyday life happens,” she said. “So, let’s imagine your time at Birch as one big group chat. On your first day of elementary school, it was like being added to a group chat. You didn’t know everyone yet, but you were ready to start typing, ready to take part in a conversation. You were curious, maybe a little nervous, and excited to see who else was in this thread. Over the years your group chat has grown. You’ve made new contacts – your friends. You’ve had long message threads filled with learning, laughter, and occasional disagreements. You’ve sent knowledge and received support and maybe even dropped some reactions and emojis along the way.”
As the graduates get ready to move onto Merrick Avenue Middle School, Galante added that ‘it’s like starting a new group chat.”
“The faces will change, the topics will grow and the conversations will get deeper. You’ll get the chance to share even more about who you are,” she said.
Deb Vernice, a Merrick Faculty Association board member and Birch teacher, presented a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of the Class of 2025.
Two days later, in a ceremony filled with songs and celebration, Levy Lakeside School graduated its 97th sixth grade class in the Kennedy auditorium.
Principal Libby Trencheny addressed graduates, referencing the lyrics to “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.
“Let those words remind you that your future is yours to create,” she began. “You don’t need to follow someone else’s path. This is your time to explore, to dream, and to discover what makes you – you. When you take ownership of your journey, you gain the pride, confidence, and strength that come with it.”
Kailyn and Aditya delivered the graduation speech on behalf of the class, recalling fond memories from each grade level.
“Everything that our teachers have for us has helped shape us into who we are today,” Aditya said. “Some of the many life lessons we have been taught are always to be kind, it’s not what you do but rather how you do it, never judge a book by its cover, and treat everyone the way you want to be treated.”
Students sang their traditional parody, and this year’s was Miley Cyrus’ “Moving On”, with sixth graders Isabella S., Isabella H. and Nina rewriting the lyrics.
Jennifer Meschkow, a Merrick Faculty Association building representative and fifth grade ELA teacher, announced that this year’s donation in honor of the Class of 2025 would be to the Hewlett House, a community resource center supporting Long Islanders battling cancer.
*Coverage of Merricks's other moving up ceremonies will appear in the July 10 Herald.
