SMS graduation features six valedictorians

BONSALL – Bonsall’s Sullivan Middle School wrapped up an exciting 2015-16 school year with a promotion ceremony that featured an unprecedented six valedictorians. The promotion ceremony followed an awards assembly the day before that saw SMS unfurl four new sports league championship banners.

“The 2015-16 school year at Sullivan has seen our outstanding school soar to even greater heights,” commented Sullivan principal Joseph Clevenger. “The Class of 2016 includes six valedictorians, a fact made all the more impressive when you factor in that each of the students had to go through all three years of middle school with grades of A or A+ in every class. We also had more than a dozen salutatorians, students who also had all A grades throughout the three years, but had a least one A- grade. The success of these outstanding students and the rest of our over-achieving student body is a testimony to the skill and dedication of our teaching staff.”

In addition to an unprecedented year in the classroom, Sullivan athletes brought home league banners in girls volleyball (undefeated season), boys football (undefeated season), girls basketball and boys basketball. SMS athletic director Cindy Tomlinson-Lloyd said, “Our athletes compete most of the time against schools with twice the student body, so our kids are often outnumbered, but rarely outmatched.”

Clevenger’s promotion address stressed that SMS students have the choice to strive for excellence in all facets of their lives, or not. That each day presents a series of decisions in which kids can make wise choices, or not. Clearly, the SMS Class of 2016 made many collective excellent choices throughout the school year, he said.