Severna Park Middle School Presidential Awards Held Monday Night

About half of the graduating class of eighth graders at (SPMS) were recognized on Monday night for their outstanding academic achievements over the past three years.

The President's Education Awards Program recognizes students who maintained a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and higher over the course of their middle school years.

These students were presented with a presidential certificate along with a letter signed by President Barack Obama.

The SPMS cafeteria was filled to capacity with about 250 eighth grade students and their families and friends who gathered for the ceremony. Flat screens behind the podium showed pictures of the students with their names as they accepted their awards packet and shook hands with either SPMS Principal Sharon Morell or Sam Perry, vice principal.

SPMS guidance counselor Michael Norton started the ceremony with a brief introduction that summed up the student's accomplishments.

"Make no mistake, this is an exceptional accomplishment," Norton said.

Moving on to high school, the class of 2015 is well prepared to succeed, Norton said.

"Continue these habits in high school and you will have tremendous success," he said.