The Bond Mill Elementary Fifth Grade Promotion was held on June 13. This is a very special day culminating, in some cases, six sweet years of elementary education at Bond Mill. There were tears of joy and lots of laughter. Parents and students alike were bittersweet as they travelled down that memory lane of kindergarten through fifth grade.
Principal Justin FitzGerald welcomed the large crowd, followed by a heartfelt National Anthem played by Alison Bent, Lester Carrillo, Nolan Smith, Aferata Teklemarkos and Alinah Walker – all on clarinet. Teachers Glen Belton, Kim Kennedy, Andrea McCargo and Tracey Lally proudly acknowledged all their students for their many accomplishments over the last school year.
The Mary Jane Lusby Award was presented to Alison Bent and to David Magno for their academic achievements as well as their leadership and contributions as good friends and responsible citizens.
The Lori Wood Courage Award is awarded to a student who displays courage and fortitude just like the late teacher this prestigious award is named for. It is awarded to someone who has overcome numerous obstacles and is a role model for his fellow students. Jhayvee Villarin was honored with this award. The music was perfect for the occasion. The Fifth Grade Chorus performed “For Good” from Wicked and “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” Soloists were Antwaan Anderson, Alison Bent, Neyla Carr, Olivia Dickerson, Momoore Oyewole, Alinah Walker and Brandon Wood. Congratulations to Bond Mill’s Class of 2018!
Third graders competed in the BMES Annual Spelling Bee. The third graders were such great spellers that the dismissal bell rang during the competition. The competition had to continue to the next day. At the finish, Cullen McClain came away with first place. Alex Asagaye and Oliver Fritz were runners up. On to fourth grade now!
In another fun and very competitive contest, the Fourth Grade Bombers versus the principal and his staff annual basketball game was a nail biter to the end. All classes (except third grade because they were inside spelling) carried their classroom chairs outside to be the spectators. The students didn’t need those chairs though as they were mostly on their feet screaming for their teams. Sean Hamilton made the last minute shot to put the game into overtime and then Sean made the clincher shot for the win. The Bombers won and stated that passing was the key and they had teamwork. They boxed out the teachers 54-52. Principal Justin FitzGerald reported that he played “lousy” missing all 17 of his shots.
Kim Snider Kennedy and Jen Silverman have been friends for over 20 years. Their friendship blossomed as young Bond Mill students and as Girl Scouts. Kennedy is now a fifth-grade teacher at Bond Mill Elementary School . She and Silverman have served for four years as Girl Scout leaders to a troop of Daisies. Their love of the Girl Scouts started new generations of girls with knowledge and skills that have developed a strong foundation on which to build during future years of Girl Scouting including Brownie troops and soon a Junior troop. Kennedy and Silverman are known to their parents and girls as Ms. Kim and Ms. Jen. They were recently selected to receive The Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Outstanding Leader Award. Congratulations on this very prestigious award and for your service to the young girls of our community.
Congratulations to Katie Ruiz and Jacob Miller who were wed on June 16 in Havre de Grace, Maryland. The bridal party included Katie’s sister, Maria Ruiz, as Maid of Honor, and bridesmaids Claire Mudd, Abbe Miller (Jacob’s sister), Rebecca Hughey, Joanna Bell and groomsmen Josh Nichols (best man), Michael Ruiz (brother of the bride), Miles Harriston, Matthew Spooner, Shawn Reginald and Kevin Emmerich. Katie and Jacob had a beautiful sunny day for their lovely outdoors ceremony. Parents Kristen and Peter Ruiz and Edward Miller and Carolyn Marzke proudly looked on as their children said their vows to each other and began their journey as a married couple.
