Faculty and staff at Blue Ridge Elementary School spent the last day of school honoring the students in third, fourth and fifth grades who achieved academic excellence within a subject area or displayed an eagerness to read by earning Accelerated Reader points.Librarian, Robbi Callihan, organized the awards ceremony in which she presented awards for the students who had achieved scoring 80% or better on their accelerated reader tests, those that read a book at an 8th grade level or higher, those who read the most words and many more categories. Students received a medal, a trophy or other award depending on their accomplishment.

After accelerated reader awards were presented, the fifth grade teachers continued with presenting rewards with the students that achieved academic excellence in one or more subjects. Citizenship awards, most improved and best all-around student awards were also presented, along with perfect attendance.

One student, Gabe Buchanan, received perfect attendance for his fifth grade year but was recognized for only missing two days of school in his entire six years of school so far.

To end the ceremony, Principal, Shannon Miller announced each student’s name as they came up to receive a certificate of achievement from their fifth grade teachers. The moment was a bitter sweet one for science teacher, Fran Strickland, as it will be her last class she will ever teach due to her voluntary retirement to spend time with her precious grandbabies. Congratulations to the fifth graders at Blue Ridge Elementary! We look forward to watching all of the great things you will accomplish in the next seven years.