Across the four counties of the diocese, commencement cer­emonies, Masses and special gatherings served to mark the transi­tion from eighth grade to high school for more than 1,300 students. Faculty, family and friends were given ample opportunities to commend the stu­dents’ work, and bid them good luck as the students said good-bye to the schools they’d known for many years.

For some 25 years, St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, has carried on a beloved tradition to help make graduation day extra special for the entire school com­munity. According to K.C. Phillips, the school’s physical education and eighth grade religion teacher, on the morning of graduation day, which this year was June 5, all of the students from the K-eight school gathered for “The Farewell” in St. Charles Borromeo Church. The cer­emony began with a prayer service that included singing songs and of­fering prayers for both the soon-to-be new graduates as well as for the younger students. During the prayer service, an eighth grader reads a meaningful letter that is written on behalf of the graduating class.

Following the prayer service, the eighth graders, who were donning their red and white mortarboards and gowns, lined up outside in front of the church and were ceremoniously greeted and wished well by each of their younger counterparts.

“This was an opportunity for the kindergarten through seventh grade students to say goodbye to the eighth graders,” said Phillips.

The actual graduation ceremony, held later that day in the church, began with Mass celebrated by Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor. At the end of the Mass, Father Alindogan and principal, Kathryn Chesnut, con­ferred the diplomas.