By Steve Jusseaume
Hampton Union, Friday, June 13, 2003
HAMPTON - A total of 153 eighth-graders graduated from Hampton Academy Junior High School yesterday, during ceremonies in the auditorium at Winnacunnet High School.
Thursday’s graduation followed an awards assembly at the junior high school Thursday morning, in which more than two dozen awards were given out to the graduates.
Graduation festivities also included a dinner dance Wednesday evening, where dozens of students enjoyed a dinner in the junior high cafeteria, then danced the night away in the gymnasium.
Yesterday’s graduation, according to the program, included a Hampton Academy band members played the processional, followed by welcoming remarks by school Principal Kevin Moran.
Student Erin Galvin led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also on the program were remarks by School Administrative Unit (SAU) 21 Assistant Superintendent Fred Engelbach. Interim SAU 21 Superintendent David Brown was unable attend the graduation.
Student Emily Jefferson opened the ceremonies with an address to the students, family and friends.
Several awards were presented, including student council presentations, followed by language arts, social studies, science, French, Latin, Spanish and chorus awards.
John Woodburn, who retired from the Hampton School Board this year after 30 years of service, presented the John F. Woodburn Community Service Award.
The junior high school is also represented by a poem(1), which reads, in part
:"So here’s to the Academy of Hampton,
"We love you so true; Here’s to our banner of the White and Blue;
"Here’s to all alumni, where’er they be,
"As we sing this song for our Academy."
(1)[Hampton Academy's school song, "Here's To The Academy of Hampton", tune: "Our Director", written by Marian Berry, Class of 1918.]