By Avice Meehan

Four sixth graders bid farewell to Botelle Elementary School at a laughter-filled, but occasionally serious, ceremony on June 16 that was attended by family, friends and town officials. First Selectmen Henry Tirrell, a Botelle graduate whose mother and aunt taught at the school for many years, reminded the students that they would have a strong community of people behind them—even as their memories of Botelle become a smaller part of their life experience. Tirrell, whose son attends the school, noted that his own Botelle career lasted a little longer than some because he worked as a summer and relief custodian for a decade during high school and college. As it happens, his boss was none other than Leo F. Colwell Jr., who serves with Tirrell on the Board of Selectmen.

The four Botelle students—James Collado, Abigail (Abby) Bennet, Mason Russo and Nathaniel Schneider—shared the running of the program and were also recognized for their accomplishments. Bennett received the scholastic award for academic achievement and Russo received the achievement award, recognizing his determination and academic growth. Those awards, presented by teacher Sarah Ward, are given in memory of the late Myrtie Luella Botelle, a longtime teacher for whom the school is named. Sally Carr Hannafin, a former chair of the Board of Education, presented Collado with the Barbara A. Mulville Award in recognition of his athletic skill. Principle Lauren Valentino recognized Schneider for his potential as a musician with the Michael J. Mulville Award.

A likely highlight of the evening—aside from the refreshments that followed—were the student spotlights presented by fellow students and videos chronicling each student. Math emerged as a favored academic activity with hobbies ranging from crochet to drag racing and career goals that encompassed a professional basketball career, welding and animation. The class gift—created with considerable adult assistance—is a contemplative seating area outside the main entrance to the school. Complete with a generous wooden bench resting on a concrete and crushed stone pad, it seems a fitting memento for a class of go-getters.