To the strains of Pomp and Circumstance, members of the graduating eighth grade class of El Portal Middle School entered Engel Field at Memorial Stadium on Thursday night, May 30.
The students came in and waved to the crowd first on the visiting side of the field, then angled their way around to the home stands, with the audience filling the bleachers on both sides of the field. With family and friends cheering them on and many taking photos, the Promotion Ceremony for the Panthers began. By the end of the evening, they had their diplomas in hand and are now considered incoming Cougars, as they will enter Escalon High School in August.
The El Portal Band performed the processional, with El Portal Student Body President Luke Gutierrez welcoming everyone and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were a number of awards announced and presented, from the Panther Physical Fitness honors to the Exemplary Citizenship awards. Students were also recognized for exceptional growth, and several were recognized for their achievement in English language learning.
There were also honors for the eighth-grade students who maintained a perfect 4.0 this school year and additional recognition for those students who have maintained that high academic standing all three years at El Portal.
Student speaker Peyton Jacobs took the podium for her speech, encouraging her classmates to “Become Your Best” and taking a look back at their journey through the halls of El Portal.
Principal Mike Gaston offered remarks and noted that the Class of 2024 was “the only class in my 13 years (at El Portal) to beat the teachers at dodgeball,” which brought cheers from the students.
Several members of the faculty and staff were in attendance, along with the Escalon Unified School District Board of Trustees, District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez and Assistant Superintendent Mark Vos. Students lined up to receive their diplomas, presented by school board members, with Gaston then presenting the class, to applause from the audience and hugs and high five exchanged by the students.
Family and friends spilled out of the stands on both sides to greet their graduates, taking time for photos and enjoying the moment.
