North Canaan eighth-graders, moving on, vow 'Friends Forever'

NORTH CANAAN — Wistfulness hung heavy in the air as 43 graduates said goodby to North Canaan Elementary School (NCES) on Thursday, June 14.

Graduate and student poet Erin Markey looked back on her school career (all of which was spent at NCES) and concluded it was hectic, what with "studying after school, running to soccer practice and, of course, leaving everything to the last minute."

"Looking back over all those years, I can say one thing for sure," Erin added. "It was the most work and I got the least amount of sleep, but my eighth-grade year was the best of all."

There were also kind words for two figures from North Canaan’s past for whom awards and scholarships were named: Anthony D. Segalla and Rolland B. "Pete" Allyn. Selected graduates read essays and poems, including Hillary Burkhart, Sharese King, Kira Taylor, Emma Olownia and Sabrina Sebben.

Music teacher David Gaedeke conducted a chorus of graduates who sang a rendition of "Friends Forever," and at various times during the evening he expertly motioned with his hands for the graduates to sit and stand, which they did with great precision. Alexandra Brown, a member of the class of 2007, gave the farewell address.