Bridgeport Middle School’s pups are graduating to young bulldogs.
On May 21 family, teachers and administrators gathered to celebrate the eighth-grade students who will start the 2024-2025 school year as freshmen at Bridgeport High School. The middle schoolers entered the cafetorium to the tune of “Stand by Me,” and close relationships formed in the district figured prominently among the speakers’ topics.
Guest speakers were Law Chambers and Campbell Kropka, seniors at Bridgeport High who will be graduating May 24. Looking back on their time at high school, they offered their advice to the middle schoolers about to start that journey.
Both were members of the drug free club and the Interact Club which focuses on community outreach, as well as many other clubs. Chambers is a four-year letterman in football and Kropka earned recognition in cheering and volleyball. They called on the new freshmen to get involved and see what opportunities high school could offer.
Chambers said one of his early assignments in eighth grade was related to the word: “Perseverance.” He said this word would soon define his high school experience. He had some difficulty during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and the attendant virtual and hybrid learning, but he improved with the help of the guidance counselor and had the chance to stretch himself by taking college credit and honors classes. He encouraged the eighth graders to tackle challenges.
“We all learn how to push through and become a better version of ourselves,” he said.
Kropka, who will be summa cum laude, said she was grateful for the chance to speak, having been unable to speak at her eighth-grade graduation due to the pandemic. She recalled the fear and excitement she felt on her first steps in high school.
“The best is yet to come. You are standing at the start of your high school career,” she said, adding this was the time to look for opportunities to get involved. “Dive into high school. Try new things. Talk to new people.”
Kropka said an advantage of a small high school was the chance to get to know every classmate and teacher.
“At Bridgeport we are more than peers, we are family,” she said, and asked them to embrace the high school’s traditions. “Keep the spirit of family and pride alive and represent yourself and all of us the best you can.”
Principal Anne Haverty Lawson, who has had the care of many of these students since fifth grade, had words for them throughout the ceremony.
“This was a monumental time of your lives,” she said. She recalled their first years at the middle school during the pandemic, with social distancing and masking.
“I didn’t see your smiles for a long time,” she said. “Perseverance must prevail, as it did for Bridgeport Middle School when dealing with the obstacles of that pandemic.”
She said their choices would shape their future and reminded them to stay positive and work hard, referring to the book “The Positive Dog” by Jon Gordon.
“Always remember you’re a bulldog,” she said.
Several eighth graders spoke about how they have changed in the past years.
Desmond reflected on the challenges and good memories he would take from middle school.
Emily spoke about the friends she made and the learning process of finding and solving problems that she will take to high school.
Jaiden said hard work pays off. He thanked the teachers who encouraged him to take on more responsibilities and held him to a high standard. He said a positive attitude and good friends have helped people who are going down a bad path to create a new one.
“We’ll be starting a new chapter in our lives. High school’s going to be rough, but we’ll get through it,” he said. “Never forget the lessons we have learned and the friendships we have made along the way.”
Addison put a focus on the future and spoke about the importance of finding mentors and seeking out activities they are passionate about.
“I encourage you in the future to join groups and help better our school for years to come,” she said.
Camden said the best chance to succeed was for students to learn from successful people and to surround themselves with positive people who want what is best for them. He also emphasized the importance of faith.
Myzhara said they have shaped themselves every day with the help of teachers and peers, and there is a long way yet to go. She recalled adapting to changes such as the pandemic. While she started middle school virtually, she said this could not compare to the face-to-face school experience and the close friendships she made.
“We’re closing a chapter of our lives right now, and opening up the next in our book,” she said. “I encourage everyone to put their best foot forward in life and relationships and enjoy yourselves before your teenage years fade away.”
Superintendent Brent Ripley told the eighth graders they may have their script for the next four years, but they will likely revise it daily.
“Whatever you do, do so with kindness and with the sincere hope to lift one another up along the way, as our greatest purpose is the power of relationship with one another.”
Administrators concluded with the district motto: “And as always, go dogs!”
