Packed Gym, Overflow Crowd Attend Woodbury School Celebration

Woodbury Middle School Principal Brad St. Laurent stood out in front of hundreds of his students Tuesday and asked them to look out to the faces of their family members who have supported them through their academic years.

"This night is as much about (your parents) in some ways as it is about you," he said to the kids. "So I'll ask my students for a moment to please find your parents in the crowd and give them your thanks for their efforts over the past three years at Woodbury School."

The packed gymnasium at Salem High School played host to the Woodbury School celebration, which marks the last day for the students before they head to the next level.

Student essayist Serena Uliano summoned the Disney star Hannah Montana, or Miley Cirus, to reflect on her three years with her middle school classmates.

"Here we are now, everything is about to change," Uliano said. "We face tomorrow. We say goodbye to yesterday. A chapter ending but the story has only just begun. A page is turning for everyone."

Presentations of scholar-athlete awards, outstanding scholastic achievement awards and certificates were also among those that took place.

An overflow crowd of at least 100 to 150 other family members squeezed into the SHS auditorium.