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The Blackhawk class of 2023 was successfully promoted from 8th grade into high school on Thursday night. Our students did a great job in the ceremony with the highlight of the ceremony being Yulitza Lagunas delivering the 8th grade student remarks. The ceremony began with Josemaria Alvarado, Victoria Socha, and Garrett Wawczak leading the audience in the pledge of allegiance. The Blackhawk select choir delivered a very nice rendition of "A Million Dreams" under the direction of Ms. Suzy Ramel. The following awards were given to students at this event:

Blackhawk Memorial Award--selected by the Blackhawk staff

Criteria: shows respect for adults, peers, and property; excels in academics; participates in school activities and/or athletics; attends school and school-related activities on a regular basis.

Winners: Anaya Blissit and Oswall Zamora

Bensenville Education Association Award--selected by the Blackhawk staff

Criteria: has been a district student for all 8 years; shows concern and care about their education; has a desire to learn; is passionate when connected to subject matter; has intrinsic motivation.

Winner: Josemaria Alvarado

The Fenton Education Association Award--selected by 8th grade class

Criteria: will be attending Fenton in the fall; has academic excellence; demonstrates leadership ability; is dependable; is cooperative and works well with others; has qualities that demonstrate citizenship.

Winners: Ammera Saadeh and Josue Bucio

The Service Above Self Award-selected by 8th grade class

Criterias: is involved in doing community service (such as Hawks or Early Act Club; their church); is dependable; is cooperative and works well with others; has qualities that demonstrate citizenship. demonstrates leadership ability.

Winners: Carolina Herrera Reyes and Alonso Romero

HAWKS Award--determined by performance

Criteria: the Hawk who volunteered the greatest amount of their time at Blackhawk and in the community throughout the 2022-2023 school year

Winner: Josemaria Alvarado

Blackhawk I Belong Award--selected by Blackhawk principal

Criteria: a positive role model, flexible mindset, hard-working, and a student the principal loves to greet and be greeted by each day.

Winners: Ramiyah Green and Aysiah Perez

Congratulations Blackhawk class of 2023. You will be missed as Hawks but you are going to be glorious Bison.

The Blackhawk PTO out did themselves with the Hawaiian themed 8th grade dance Wednesday afternoon. This party included Hawaiian leis, island music, a limbo contest, and even Hawaiian belly dancers. A professional DJ kept the party going for the second half of the event. Students were treated to pizza, popcorn, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, slushies, and more. Truly a good time was had by all as evidenced in the pictures.

The final Blackhawk Alumni Spotlight of the year will be a double shot from two of our most recent alumni qualifiers--two promoted 8th graders: Anaya Blissit and Josemaria Alvarado.

Anaya Blissit was promoted Thursday night from 8th grade into Fenton High School. Her favorite memory of middle school is making friendships that will last a long time and going to all the activities at Blackhawk. She shared she always tried her best and gave effort in each of her classes. No matter what the case was, she would always smile and try to make someone else smile. Activities that Anaya was involved in while at Blackhawk included basketball, dance, volleyball, and track. Advice that Anaya recommends for current Hawks is to "Stay out of drama and make sure to give effort in your work! Live in the moment and make new friends."

Josemaria Alvarado also became a Fenton Bison Thursday night. His favorite memory of Blackhawk was being the student director of the Beauty and the Beast The Musical. Josemaria claims his success in middle school simply came from being kind to others, and always paying attention in class. Activities he was involved in includes the Blackhawk theater productions,

Early Act Club (Rotary), 8th grade HAWK member, and he was a STARburst. He shares that in order to be successful in your Blackhawk years, students need to try new things and take risks. "You need to realize that it's okay to make mistakes or not do so well on a test because that's how we learn. Do your homework always, trust me it helps you do better in school, tests, and just in general. Always turn in your work and make sure it's the best it can be. Try your hardest and don't give up. You can do anything you put your mind to. If you're struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help. And most of all remember to be kind to others because you never know what they're going through."

On Friday, special events were planned for our 6th and 7th grade students to commemorate the final day of classes. Some outdoor fun in the sun was enjoyed by all out in the back field at Blackhawk. We want to thank our food service vendor Sodexo for accommodating a cookout style lunch for students that included a choice of hot dogs or hamburger as well as chicken sandwiches and a veggie burgers. Sodexo also provided a frozen treat for students that members of the Blackhawk PTO helped pass out. It was some pre-summer fun on the last day of school.

The blackhawk band successfully closed out their performances for the year at the Wood Dale Memorial Day parade last weekend. Our band students are an accomplished group of musicians who have various groupings and performance options. Students can be in the 6th grade band or the combined 7th/8th grade band. Students can also audition for the jazz band or participate in various contests that include solo or ensemble performances.

The grade-level bands perform three concerts a year as well as play at two student assemblies. Bands also make three performances at local retirement homes and play at one Fenton varsity basketball and one varsity football game. Students can also participate in one judged festival performance and this year collectively won 12 gold medals at a solo & ensemble contest. During the Memorial Day parade, the 6th grade band joins the 7th/8th grade band to perform a true representation of a full middle school band with students from all three grades.

Tuesday morning during extended advisory our fabulous STARburst team that leads our Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS) efforts were treated to a celebratory breakfast for all of their valiant efforts this year. A breakfast consisting of milk, juice, watermelon, and funnel cakes were served as a statement of thanks.

During this breakfast, outstanding 8th grade STARbursts were identified. Congratulations to Carmen Silva and Josemaria Alvarado for their outstanding commitment to helping support appropriate behavior and safety in our school.

This year our STARbursts helped with:

• Behavior expectation in zones of the school
• Overseeing the STAR store for students meeting expectations
• Feedback on STAR Success Skill lessons taught in advisory
• Fundraising through sale of concessions at events
• Supporting students with locker use

Thursday morning started out with the annual Blackhawk Talent Show and Awards Assembly. One student per team was recognized for outstanding character and achievement. In addition, Encore and PE teachers identified outstanding students. Co-Athletic Directors identified athletic prowess along with select coaches from different Blackhawk teams. A significant amount of student recognition was spent on celebrating the performance of the Blackhawk track team that had a record-setting finish in the conference final meets this year.

Another fun aspect of this assembly was the revealing of who was Bucky the Blackhawk mascot this school year. Thanks to Milani Perez for fulfilling duties of Bucky this year. She was a trooper and brought new ideas to this new concept in our school.

Then the talent show started where a long list of student and teacher performers took to the stage and swept the audience off their feet. It was a really fun time. Thanks to Ms. Berardi for being the master organizer and Ms. Dunbaugh for being the master of ceremonies.