The Boothbay Elementary School eighth graders graduated Monday, June 15, and officially became the Boothbay Region High School's class of 2019, next year's incoming freshmen class.

Several eighth graders spoke, including Hannah Gentry, Abigail Teele, Alexandria Lane and Carina Peaslee. They spoke about the memories made in middle school, the challenges they have overcome and the adventures that are ahead. They shared memorable stories about their lives at BRES and teachers that had influenced them.

A number of awards were presented during the night. The Secretary of State Distinguished Citizen Award went to Helen Hamblett. Principal Mark Tess presented it, as State Rep. Stephanie Hawke had to be in Augusta that night. Tess read the speech prepared by Hawke’s office, praising Hamblett for her “active participation in civic and community activities, good scholarship, and school community involvement.”

“Overall, she is a leader in her class,” Tess read. “She demonstrates citizenship both inside and outside the community ... she has taken important steps forward, and we're confident that she will continue to achieve great things in the years ahead.”

The Maine Scholar Leader Awards went to Olivia Paolillo and Riley Sullivan.

The Academic Excellence Award was given to two students their teachers felt excelled in all areas of study, Lilley Harris and Faith Blethen.

Teachers presented the Harold B. Clifford Awards to students who excelled in a specific field of study. The Physical Education awards went to William LaBrecque and Alexandria Lane, the Music/Chorus awards went to Grace Robinson and Joesph Lane, the Band Award went to Savannah Sedivy, the Art awards went to Brett Hollowell and Duyen Nguyen, and the Family & Consumer Science Award went to Abigail Teele.

Math Awards went to Natalia Gosselin and George Swope, the Language Arts awards went to Ashley Abbott and Alexander Eason, the Science Awards went to Emma Hodgdon and Blake Erhard, the Technology Education award went to Faith Blethen, and the Social Studies awards went to Hannah Gentry and William Cullina.

Other eighth graders graduating included Noah Allen, Ashley Ames, Mitchell Andrews, Allyson Barter, Brogan Barter, Madison Barter, Gabriel Bartley, Reed Beavis, Gabrielle Boord, Ethan Carmolli, Liam Chapman-Dyer, Timothy Chappelle, Hannah Cola, Reagan Cola, Brandon Cromwell, Alexis Davison, Henry Drapeau, Alyssa Emerick, Gerald Gagne, Bayly Gaughan Carrasco, Valerie Giles, Larisa Greenleaf, Alexander Hibbard, Cassidy Hicks, Amber Hyson, Thatcher Jackson, Mikayla Main, Cavin Nguyen, Erica Nightingale, Hazen Oaks, Sara Powers, Kimberly Reed, Stephen Reny, Ella Spear, Simon Spear, Wyatt Timberlake and Hannah Witwicki.