Kinley Moore hugs Supervising Teacher Susan Bracha after receiving her diploma.
Eighth graders Kinley Moore, Rose Mercer and Aspen Conley smile during Rialee White's speech.
Eighth-grader Rialee White giving her speech.
The Swan Valley Elementary school honored its kindergarten class (L-R): Camden Gleason, Ethan Kennedy, Elijah Nelson.
SWAN VALLEY - Friends and family of Swan Valley Elementary students gathered to celebrate the graduation of three kindergarten and five eighth graders.
The ceremony, which took place at the SVE gym on May 31, honored Camden Gleason, Ethan Kennedy and Elijah Nelson who successfully completed kindergarten.
"I am 100 percent confident they are ready for first grade," said teacher Susan Bracha.
After they were presented with diplomas, the focus shifted to five students who finished their tenure at SVE.
Rialee White took to the purple and gold draped stage to speak.
"We aren't just graduating eighth grade," said White. "We're graduating a larger part of our lives- nine years."
The graduates-Nicholas Bedson, Aspen Conley, Rose Mercer, Kinley Moore and White-won't be returning to SVE on a regular basis anymore. They will begin their next school semester at Seeley-Swan High School, a big change after spending up to nine years at the small Condon school.
The students called out the other members of their school, thanking them for the memories given and moments shared.
"With only 10 kids in our entire classroom you get to know everyone like the back of your hand," said White. "You get to know your class like family."
After an awards presentation and a short slideshow recreating the memories of the school year, superintendent Chris Stout and chair of the school board John Mercer presented each eighth grader with their diplomas.
Following a slight mishap involving Stout and Mercer tumbling off the back of the stage, the students thanked their teachers, gave the customary roses of appreciation to their families and walked out of the gym to start the next phase of their lives.
"There is a point in your childhood that you look around and realize this is what you get- these memories are all you will have of grade school," said White. "This little school played a big part in our lives. We have all made some unforgettable memories at this school, memories that will hopefully last a lifetime."
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