Photos and Video by BROOKE FELDMAN
By BROOKE FELDMAN
MARGATE – Eugene A. Tighe Middle School’s eighth-grade class took a refreshing plunge in the ocean Thursday morning to celebrate their final day in the Margate City School District.
“It is very unique, living here at the beach and being a beach community, to have our last eighth grade event here,” Principal Ryan Gaskill said.
The students and teachers walked to Huntington Avenue beach, feeling nostalgic and blasting the class graduation song, “Good Old Days.”
An outdoor graduation ceremony was held on the Tighe School athletic field Wednesday, June 16, and the Eighth Grade Plunge was the final event to seal off the year.
“There were a lot of tears the last couple of weeks,” said Sherry Scott, who teaches eighth grade math and algebra.
The graduating class enjoyed many recent events. Some of their celebratory activities included a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure, the Eighth Grade Dinner Dance, and the school’s first-ever trip to Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Cape May.
“It has been great doing so many things with our school the last few weeks and making lasting memories with all of our friends,” said Student Council President Zuzanna Turska who will attend Atlantic County Institute of Technology in the fall.
Parents, teachers and administrators gathered to see the students enjoy their final activity. Gaskill watched them dive into the ocean with an ear-to-ear smile.
“This event signifies the kids jumping into the next chapter of their lives,” Gaskill said.
After swimming as one large group, the students ran out of the water and were greeted with towels provided by the Margate Education Foundation. The towels contained the signatures of every teacher and graduating student.
Parents volunteered to bring the food, which the recent graduates devoured while saying their final goodbyes.
“I’m going to miss all of my friends and the small community in Margate,” said Lexi Gormley who will start Atlantic City High School in the fall.
The 49 graduating eighth graders will attend various high schools and embark on different life trajectories, but will always have one key element in common – all are graduates of the Margate City School District.
“I’m excited for their futures and cannot wait to see where they end up,” Scott said. “I just hope they will come back to visit.”
