Simple, sweet and a bit sentimental.

Those are words to describe the hour-long graduation ceremony for the sixth graders at Southport Central School, the island school for grades pre-K through grade 6.

Six sixth graders were “the guests of honor” at the ceremony held at the Southport Town Hall the morning of June 13. The graduating class included, in alphabetical order, Reed Beavis, Liam Cullina, Gerald Gagne, Will LaBrecque, Cameron Moeller and Grace Robinson. The class arrived at the Town Hall from the school riding on a Southport Fire Department rescue vehicle.

Each graduate was spoken of fondly by Principal Marcelle Durost as they received Principal's Awards before receiving their framed diplomas and medals. The class members received a standing ovation from parents, grandparents, school faculty members and island residents after the diplomas were handed out.

Before the school's students completed the ceremony by singing, “We Are the World,” followed by the showing of a video of the sixth graders composed by school secretary Eileen Higgins and her daughter, Julie, students in all the classes were recognized with awards by their teachers.

Mrs. Reed introduced her 4-year-old pre-K and Kindergarten students. Principal Durost recognized her grades 1-3 students. Mrs. Ensworth, who will not be returning to teach at Southport next year, introduced her students in grades 4, 5 and 6.

Ramona Gaudette, who has been cooking lunches at the school for 56 years, was honored by school guidance counselor Mrs. Buchan. She and the students collaborated on designing a small quilt. The quilt's patches reflected Ramona's interests in the school, the island and her life. Mrs. Buchan and the students had made quilts in previous years for teachers and other staff members.