It was a grand entrance for Southport Central School’s two graduating sixth graders June 21. Carter Townsend and Haiden Blackman arrived at Newagen Seaside Inn along with their teacher Julie Browne on a fire truck. The school celebrated its final class day by honoring the two graduates and accomplishments of the entire student body. 

As a class gift, Browne gave her two graduating students books. Blackman received “The Ickabod” by J.K Rowling. Townsend received “The Human Kaboom” by Adam Rubin, which is a collection of six stories all with the same name, but vastly different plots. Browne described Blackman as the class comedian and said Townsend has “a heart of gold.”

In remarks, the graduates reflected upon their time at SCS. Blackman began as a kindergartner and told a humorous story about how he once fell on the ice. He said he will always remember the recent sixth grade class trip to Boston where he and Townsend received a “behind the scenes look” at the Museum of Science’s animal laboratory. Townsend began attending the school as a third grader. He thanked the staff for teaching him math, French and science.

This year, music teacher Jennifer McIvor added art teacher to her duties. She assisted in the fifth and sixth graders’ art projects for the Lincoln-Knox County Soil Conservation poster art project. She awarded Blackman a book called “Pencil Workshop,” which develops sketching skills. Townsend received a book on drawing animals step-by-step. 

This was the first year SCS students received weekly French language lessons. Teacher Meredith Fowlie taught a French class once a week. Students demonstrated their new language skills by singing the children’s song, “We’re All In This Together.”

When the two received their diplomas, Principal Lisa Clarke recited how their classmates described them. For Blackman, she said “Kind, helpful and smart.” For Townsend, she said “Helpful, smart and funny.”