Wareham High School's class of 2016 wrapped up its middle school career with a promotion ceremony on Thursday, June 14.

Members of the 8th grade class, donning Viking-blue gowns, accepted certificates and academic awards as family and friends cheered for their accomplishments.

"Your goal is to successfully complete your high school years," Wareham Middle School Principal Howard Gilmore told the students, "so that you are prepared for college and life beyond."

Paige Fehskens and Erica Trask were the valedictorians of the class.

When starting middle school, "we were nervous and unsure of what to expect," Trask explained, noting that the students may have that same feeling now about moving on to high school. "The teachers were incredibly understanding and we soon learned that there wasn't anything they wouldn't do to ensure our success."

Fehskens urged her classmates to continue striving to reach their goals.

"We never have to be satisfied," she noted, adding: "Our lives will change, but we will embrace that change."

Of the 215 8th grade students, 18 received the President's Award for Educational Excellence "gold achievement," which requires a grade point average of 90 or above for all three years of middle school. More than 30 students — so many, in fact, that some names mistakenly did not make it into the ceremony's program — received the "silver achievement."

"Testimony to the fact that we have great students is the number of students we will be honoring this evening," said Wareham Middle School teacher Robin Cambra.

Cambra had a piece of advice for the students: "The more education you have, the more choices you have, and it's nice to have choices."

Serena Iacovelli was the recipient of this year's Norman Sylvester Citizenship Award.

Sylvester, who spent many years on the School Committee, was devoted to Wareham's youth, explained Assistant Principal Daniel Minkle. Sylvester's daughter, Stacey, was on-hand to present the award bearing her late father's name.

"When you get out there in the real world," Stacey Sylvester told the students, "believe in yourself and know that you have the ability to chart a positive course."

After excitedly meeting up with their proud family members, the students headed to their last Wareham Middle School dance.