It’s on to middle school for 83 fifth-grade students in the Montgomery County R-II School District.

Montgomery City and Jonesburg elementary schools held their fifth-grade celebrations on May 19 and 20, respectively. MCE had 56 students, while JBE had 27.

MCE held a program which allowed fifth-grade students to team up with fourth-graders to sing country songs such as “The Climb,” “Nine To Five” and “Life Is A Highway.” Each of the three teachers – Allyson Boone, Leslie King and Kennedey Shannon – gave certificates to students.

JBE’s program presented President’s Academic Achievement and Excellence awards and Glory of Missouri awards that were given by teachers Tina Cay and Jenna Fitzgerald. It also showed a video of the students with pictures of their years in elementary school.

JBE’s fifth-graders were: Neveah Allison, Emily Biter, Colton Brown, Kenzie Cirincione, Leilah Clark, Abby Cobb, Blaire Cope, Brantlee Craven, William Eversmeyer, Mya Fox, Rikki Fry, Jase Hall, Jackson Harris, Khalli Keating, Kaiden Ludy, Laila McBain, Aubrey Oden, Gus Ridgley, Weston Swagulski, Ian Tarrants, Noah Tochtrop, Calleigh Tucker, Chloe Veach, Dominick Ventimiglia, Charles Wesley, Memphis Wiggs and Levi Wolfe.

“They are natural leaders and dedicated team players, those who shine in the spotlight and those who prefer to blend in,” JBE principal Jenny Krattli said. “Together, this class has the spirit and strength to take on any challenge.”

Krattli has been working at JBE since 2017. She said the fifth-grade students made life easy for her during her eight-year tenure.

“I love my job because I love this school,” Krattli said. “More importantly, I love the people in it. Thank you for growing with me at Jonesburg Elementary. You’ve been part of my story and I can’t wait to see how you write yours.”

MCE’s fifth-graders were: Addyson Bethel, Alexander Brant, Lydia Brinker, Lucas Brownbligh, Jesse Cagle, Devonna Calderas, Avery Cannon, Kade Chisholm, Dalton Christy, Crosby Clark, Kyler Combs, Paislee Czerniewski, Finley Deeker, Justice Dixon, Dawson Doyle, Jaycee Finch, Rylan Galloway, Kallie Gilbert, Elijah Glass, Tessa Henness, Brantley Hoffmann, Landon Johnson, Easton Kelling, Alex Knipp, Lynn Knoepflein, Ryker Knuth, Ryker Lauer, Alicia Lucero, Trinity Martinka, Colin Massa, Eliza Matthews, William Matthews, Trevor Melahn, Megan Meyer, Brody Mitchell, Jaslynn Olds, Raylin Oliver, Morgan Ostmann, Jazmine Poyner, Drako Reed, Gildeon Reeves, Nash Ross, Levi Schroeder, Charlotte Shipley, Kingston Simmons, Drake Spalding, Lucas Strand, Joseph Strube, Kai Svay, Cerynitey Thurmon, Zoey Towle, Jalynn Ward, Nina Wood, Zachary Worley, Chase Yelton and Olivia Zaldivar.

Trinity said in her two-minute speech that Boone was pretty helpful to her.

“She was always there when I was having a hard time,” she said. “When I got angry and felt like giving up, especially in math, she didn’t let me quit. Even when I once shut down, she made me smile and helped me do it.”

Shannon wrapped up her first year as MCE teacher. She said she enjoyed working her fifth-grade class.

“From day one, I knew this class was something special,” Shannon said. “We laughed at times, made so many memories and turned everyday moments into something worth remembering. I came in ready to teach, but I ended up learning right alongside you, how to be flexible, how to laugh things off and how to enjoy the ride, even when it got a little chaotic.”