LIBERTY, NY — Nearly 90 Liberty eighth graders celebrated the end of their middle school era with the annual Moving Up ceremony, held on June 23 in the David E. Panebaker Auditorium.
Following the pledge of allegiance, which was led by Montgomery Allen and Amy Cortez Cruz, the national anthem and alma mater were sung by the eighth-grade choir members.
Principal Heather Cheh welcomed students as well as guests, Liberty High School (LHS) principal Stephen Matuszak and LHS Class of 2026 salutatorian Lia Guillerme, who both spoke as well.
The following awards were then presented:

Subject awards

Art Awards: Aaliyah Walker, Amy Cortes Cruz, Ana Sosa, Analina Garcia, Angelick Rivera, Antoni Klys, Ava McNett, Claire Ferguson, Corinne Lake, Edwin Moreno Reyes, Eric Vargas Martin, Erick Torres Garcia, Erika Panama, Ethan Zheng, Harper Matuszak, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Jessica Loftus, Keily Dominguez-Chabla, Luis Brizuela Moreno, Luna Pixie Hulse, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Meily Valencia Bamac, Namarpreet Singh, Pricilla Matute, Valeria Ponce Vasquez and Mya Davis.
Music awards: The Director’s Award is given to an outstanding eighth grader in each of orchestra, chorus and band who exemplifies the following criteria: A 90 or above grade point average average, demonstrates outstanding musical ability, shows qualities of leadership, is committed and dedicated to their instrument or voice and the music program, encourages and helps others in the ensembles with a positive and genuine integrity, and has participated in an ensemble since fifth grade.

Memorial awards

The Michelle Behrman Award: Lilly Kehrley
The Lori Bauman Award: Greyson Torres
The Lorraine Carrington Award: Chase Golzak
The Syd Benton Award: Harper Matuszak
The Barbara Sims Award: Luna Pixie Hulse
The Glenna Stieglitz Award: Erick Torres Garcia
The Joan Greck Award: Amy Cortes Cruz
The Herb Conrad Award: Adner Mejia Aguilar
The Barbara Sochinski Award: Meily Valencia Bamac
The Renee Friedman Award: Angel Terraza Raymundo
The Fogelski Award: Faith Boyles

State awards

Triple “C” Award (for Courage, Commitment and Character): Corinne Lake and Aiden Satz
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award: Antoni Klys and Clarie Ferguson
OAG Civic Ambassador Award: Antoni Klys

ENL Awards

The Glenna Stieglitz Award: Erick Torres Garcia
The Joan Greck Award: Amy Cortes Cruz
The Herb Conrad Award: Adner Mejia Aguilar
After the awards were presented, it was time for the students to receive their certificates for completing middle school. Certificates were presented by Cort Wheeler, Heather Cheh, assistant principal Katlyn Rusin and assistant principal Dr. Jodie MacKrell.
Students wore cords that indicated if they were members of the National Junior Honor Society or FFA, became ELL Commanding or earned the FFA Discovery Degree.
The event concluded with a video highlighting the class’s time in middle school