Westfield Middle School hosted an eighth-grade awards assembly and graduation on the front lawn of the school on June 12 that was packed with students, families and friends. Performances by the band and chorus, food trucks and balloons added to the festive atmosphere.
In his welcome, Principal Jesse McMillan said his previous school had 17 sixth grade students, compared to the 356 graduating eighth graders in the Class of 2025.
“I have to tell you that this eighth-grade class has been absolutely wonderful to work with. Some of my favorite moments haven’t been in formal meetings or ceremonies, but in those spontaneous cafeteria conversations or those quick hallway hellos that always managed to brighten my day,” McMillan said.
“And let’s talk about your incredible school spirit! Your energy at pep rallies was absolutely infectious — the cheering, the chants, the pure enthusiasm you brought to every event. I’m going to miss that energy tremendously,” he added, emphasizing that that would be the only class — “and I mean the ONLY class — that I would ever allow to paint smiley faces on my bald head during a school event. But your sense of fun and community spirit made our school a better place.”