June 2 was a bittersweet day as 45 Clearview students graduated sixth grade.

 

After Principal Sheri Rutar welcomed the crowd and introduced special guests Clearwater Mayor Pete Edmonson and Tech High School Principal Charlie Eisenriech. Students Cara C. and Emily K. gave their class reflections, sharing memories from their time at Clearview.

 

Tech High School Principal Charlie Eisenriech was the special guest speaker. He began with congratulating the sixth grade students and sharing that it was an awesome experience to be there with them.

 

“As I look out at the parents, you’ve got to be proud of the sixth graders here today,” he said. “They’ve accomplished a lot, but they’re just beginning and that’s exciting.”

 

“You have a many more accomplishments that are coming in the years ahead,” Eisenriech said to the graduates. “One of the things that I’ve learned over the years that is so very crucial is to get involved in activities and stay in activities.”

 

He described how he and his children had been involved throughout their school years, and then spoke about the Top 10 Tech High School graduates, each of who had all been highly involved in activities also.

 

“Stay active, get involved, stay involved,” he advised. “Don’t sit around.”

 

He ended with a piece of advice, which he said was similar to the advice he gave to the Tech High School graduates.

 

“Our time here on earth is linear, it has a beginning, a middle and an end. Since life is linear let’s make the most of every moment. Make the most of every opportunity and don’t waste a day being mad or holding grudges. It’s not worth it. Try to remember that each moment is the only time that moment is going to happen.”

 

After his conclusion, the sixth graders were presented with their diplomas, and the band and orchestra each played selections for the audience, with Sylvia J. and Avery B. soloing on their violins. 

 

A slide show featuring the students’ time at Clearview over the years was shown to smiles and laughter, after which they filed out to What a Wonderful World.

 

Following the recessional the new graduates paraded through the hallways for the last time as students and teachers from the other classes cheered them on. 

 

A reception was held following the ceremony during which attendees could view the sixth graders’ memory boards they’d created of their time at Clearview.

 

A reception was held following the ceremony during which attendees could view the sixth graders’ memory boards they’d created of their time at Clearview. Each graduate was given a packet of flower seeds to plant in memory of Kayleen Larson, their classmate who passed away from leukemia in 2013.