Published Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 12:33 p.m.
Student speaker Abigail Klinger takes a photo of her fellow students after giving her speech. PETER DAY/PHOTO
One hundred and four 8th graders were promoted to high school during the May 19, 2026 promotion ceremonies on Ron Peavy Football Field at Lucerne Valley Middle High School.
Principal Jason Story welcomed guests following the processional. The Lucerne Valley Rangers presented the colors and ASB President Abigail Klinger led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Story introduced the staff, who were applauded as they stood.
Abigail was the first speaker. She said, “I hope our best years together are still to come…. Middle school has been chaotic, sad, awkward, angry, scary, happy, funny, embarrassing, and most of all full of adventures….” But, she said, the students got to have many new experiences along the way. “These new opportunities helped us discover our identities.... Looking ahead, high school will continue to challenge us.”
Lillianna Berletich presents her speech.
The next speaker was student Lillianna Berletich. “To me, school is like a trilogy. Elementary school was book one, the introduction…. Then came book two, Middle school…. If you’ve ever read a trilogy, that’s where things get real…. Now we’ve reached the end of book two…. The good news is the story isn’t over. High school is book three.”
Mr. Story said, “The next step is high school. Congratulations to the future class of 2030.”
Assistant Principal Jessica Haecker and Office Manager Adriana Barajas Espinoza handed out the Certificates of Promotion.
The following students were promoted:
Stepanie Agapito, Francisco Alas, Nayely Alcazar, Elisa Alonte Tellez, Oscar Apolinar, Jaxon Avila-Barajas, Isabella Bedolla, Lillianna Berletich, Jesse Bernal, Nevaeh Bryant, Gennesis Burgos, Abraham Calderon, Diana Calderon Andrade, Javan Campbell, Jayleene Castro Huitron, Keily Ceja, Miguel Chagoya Dominguez, Naribochi Cisneros, Felix Clinkenbeard, Melody Contreras, Leonardo Cortes, Sergio Cortez, Jaden Crenshaw, Katie Crucius, Josie Dibble, Briana Escobar Pantaleon, Romeo Espinosa-Garcia, José Felix Sanchez, Aleyah Ferguson, Alexis Ferrer Jartinez, Paulalucia Fugon, Tatiana Fuller, Colton Geist, Odin Genter, Richardo Gomez, Brandon Gomez Sanchez, Alissabeth Gonzalez, Josiah Gonzalez, Abraham Gutierrez, Iris Guzman, William Hankins, Aydin Hayes, Matthew Hernandez Alamos, Payton Hite, Bridget Jensen, Kiera Johnson, Kylie Johnson, Savannah Johnson, Chevy Jones, Abigail Klinger, Emilia Leal, Marielys Leal Roldan, Keira Lock, Emilio Lopez Castillo, Jonathan Lozano, John Luna, Emanuel Lupercio, Kendyle Macdonald, Kate Mackey, Victor Magana, Hannah McCoy, Ivan Mendieta, Miguel Mendoza, Brian Moretz, Kensie North, Uchenna Nmma Nweke, Bradley Olson, Arianna Pacheco, Kimberly Pantoja Calderon, Jocelyn Perez, Henruy Perez Alonzo, Deyanira Perez-Cortez, Haylee Perry, Lawrence Pickett-Moss, Cali Pratt, Erika Reece, Fernando Resendiz Rivera, Enrique Reyes, Mia Reyes Hernandez, Ashton Roane, Xavier Robinson, Araiza Rodriguez Gutierrez, Ashley Sarmiento Contreras, Harlan Simmons, Rickie Simpson, Taz Smith, James Soria, Cole Stiles, Levi Strauss, Malachi Sugg, Ricardo Urrutia, Marisol Valencia, Leonardo Vasquez, Michelle Vasquez Shutuc, Anthony Velasquez Guardado, Edgar Velazquez, Brenda Villanueva, Jayren Wallen, Christian Whittington, Kamryon Winslow, Elyzabeth York, Christopher Zamora Segundo, Dayranny Zaragoza.
A video of the event can be viewed here on Facebook: WATCH THE 8TH GRADE PROMOTION VIDEO
00:00 - Procession
11:57 - Pledge of Allegiance
13:00 - Middle School staff introduction
13:25 - Student Speaker Abigail Klinger
19:25 - Student Speaker Lilianna Berletich
24:04 - 8th Graders receive promotion certificates
31:45 - Mr. Story congratulates students
More photos from the 8th Grade Promotion:
