Viewfinder: Presenting the Class of 2015

Nearly 500 eighth grade students at Newark Junior High School celebrated their promotion into high school Wednesday in a ceremony full of applause and pride.

Hundreds of relatives and friends of the students crowded into the junior high's gym and cheered on each student with applause, screams and even blowhorns.

The students were honored one at a time, and more than a dozen were selected for awards presented by school staff members.

The ASB president made a brief speech to her fellow classmates and encouraged them to remember to respect each other despite their differences.

"The junior high is about education, but also friendship," she said. "True friends will always be there when you need them. We may not always get along... It's been wonderful learning side by side with you."

Board President Charlie Mensinger officially accepted the students as the Class of 2015 for Newark Memorial High School during the ceremony as cameras flashed from all corners of the building.

Among the other dignitaries at the ceremony were Superintendent Kevin Harrigan, Board Vice President Ray Rodriguez and board members Janice Schaefer and Jan Crocker.

Promoting the class was "my proudest moment as a principal."Principal Catherine Ward-Mikes said. 

And she has the utmost confidence in their futures.

"These kids will be ready for their freshman year at Newark Memorial High School. I am very proud of all of you and I am honored to have served as your principal," Mikes told the students, who will be Newark Memorial High's Class of 2015.

Do you have photos from Wednesday's ceremony? Add them to our collection.