Liberty Elementary celebrated its senior class on Wednesday, June 24, with the annual Moving Up ceremony. It was a time to celebrate accomplishments, offer advice and take a look back at the previous five or more years.

Principal Mr. Robert England welcomed families and guests, encouraging attendance and taking part in clubs, discouraging cellphones as students take their next step, but most importantly support and encouragement to help students find success.

As the awards portion of the ceremony began, he thanked Rony Gomez Franco and Yiling Ouyang for being the junior student liaisons on the superintendent’s committee.

The following awards were also presented:

American Citizenship Award

This award, sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, recognizes students who participate in school and community service activities, show a positive attitude towards classmates and peers, display an understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility and possess the strength of character and courage to be role models for others. Honored were Raphael Avellino, Brittney Cruz Reyes, Amelia D’Agata, Panth Desai, Rony Gomez Franco, Juliana Padilla and Stephany Reyes Lazo.

President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

The President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement recognizes students who have shown outstanding educational growth, improvement or commitment in their academic subjects. These students work hard, give their best effort and demonstrate tremendous commitment to learning: Manuel Aldana Pena, Kobi Debrosky, Pari Desai, Scarlett Llano Luciano, Ian Marquez, Marcos Mateo Gutierrez, Keira McPhillips, Ryan Panchana, Stephany Reyes Lazo, Eliana Soriano, Alexander Torres and Joel Williams-Mejia.

President’s Award for  Outstanding Educational Excellence

The President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence recognizes students who achieved academic success in the classroom. These students have received 3s and 4s on New York State tests in Math and ELA, above grade level scores on universal screener assessment, and 3s and 4s in all subject areas on their report cards, as well as demonstrating motivation, integrity and leadership qualities.

Using all of these measures combined, the Top Ten recipients of the Outstanding Academic Excellence award are as follows:

• 10. Leyvi Eli Banegas Cortes
• 9. Amelia D’Agata
• 8. Jean Valdivieso Cajamarca 
• 7. Sevyn Straker
• 6. Jaxen Husted
• 5. Madelyn Hook
• 4. William Martin
• 3. Yiling Ouyang
• 2. Makayla Kolarik
• 1. Eli Grossman

The NYS Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award

The award recognizes students who display Courage, Commitment and Character. This year’s recipients are Rony Gomez Franco and Yiling Ouyang

NYS Comptroller’s Award

Each year the NYS Comptroller’s Office recognizes the one deserving student from the  school that demonstrates leadership potential through involvement in activities that improve the school and/or community.  Earning the award was Anthony Owens, who served in the Safety Patrol, LES Video Club, choir, band and the LES production of “101 Dalmatians,” as well as volunteering with the PTA at community events and was a “positive role model who leads with kindness, responsibility, and integrity,” Mr. England said.

The fourth grade certificates were presented after the awards.

The ceremony also marked the last of Mr. David Philips, who is retiring this year. He was presented an award for his dedication to the students in the classroom and as a coach, and for creating the fourth grade videos for the past two decades.

The ceremony concluded with a short video honoring Mr. Philips, as well as the video he produced looking back at the fourth-graders time at LES.