By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
MEDINA — In a packed auditorium, 146 fifth-grade students graduated from Oak Orchard Elementary on Tuesday.
“Today we are gathered to honor our fifth-grade class,” said Principal Cathy Joynt. “The class of 2016.”
The ceremony honored the hard work and dedication of the fifth-grade class.
Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone gave the graduation address and spoke to the students and their families about Abraham Lincoln. He said that the students had a lot in common with the 16th president.
“He started out as an ordinary person like all of us,” Cardone said. “You might not all grow up to be president, but you all have potential to do great things.”
During the ceremony, two students were presented with the Philip Distefano award. Amanda Lunden and Bradley McPherson were honored for their character, courage and commitment to their family, school and community.
The students were asked if they were nervous about going to a new school. More than half of the class’ hands went up. Acting Superintendent Albie Suozzi gave the students tips on how to survive their transition into middle school. She said that going to middle school will be more responsibility and mean they are growing up, but there will be a lot of opportunities.
“Things won’t always be easy, but that’s OK,” Suozzi said. “There will always be someone to help you.”
