Along with a stage-full of their graduating fifth-grade classmates at Fox, friends Sofie Soulas and Emily Knox were literally leaning on each other back-to-back, which was their starting position to perform the program’s closing number — “I’m Moving Up.”

Songs were sung … poetry was recited … awards were received … kids beat on drums. Today at William F. Fox Elementary School was a splendid day to be a fifth-grader — 59 of them graduated this morning.

In the second-floor auditorium the principal, Daniela Jacobs, was assisted by Fox’s vice principal, Emma Ellis, in distributing certificates for excellence in scholarship and citizenship, as well as for perfect attendance.

Among the adults who spoke from the podium was Gayle Hefty, who was the principal of the school until her retirement in 2005. She received a particularly warm applause from the children when she took the stage and following her remarks.

With such abundant good will in the air the enduring charm of that 96-year-old public school building couldn’t be ignored, as Fox families and friends gathered after the ceremony to wet their whistles and have a bite to eat.

Note: In the interest of full-disclosure I’m obliged to mention that the Emily in photo above is my granddaughter. Yes, the same one who finished the school year with an “A” average, played on the soccer team, and then somehow tricked the school’s authorities into giving her a good citizenship award, as well.

My congratulations go out to all the new Fox grads and their families. My thanks go out to the grown-ups at the school (and its PTA) who are continuing to keep Fox the first-rate school it has been for a long time.

– words and photo by F.T. Rea