Eighth-graders at Symmes Valley Multi-Level should hold their teachers’ hands and take a bow.

Friday, May 26, 2000

Eighth-graders at Symmes Valley Multi-Level should hold their teachers’ hands and take a bow. Their hard work, dedication and skill have resulted in an honor that few schools in the state achieve – passing scores on all five sections of the Ninth Grade Proficiency Test.

The students got the news Tuesday that they had bested their 1999 performance – passing four out of five sections. They celebrated their 2000 achievement Wednesday with a special party at Johnson’s Sports World in Proctorville.

Few people really understand how difficult it is for a school district to get passing grades on four of the sections, let alone five. And, for eighth-graders to get scores like that on that test so soon is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

And the students didn’t just get "just passing" scores, either. More than 80 percent of the school’s eighth-graders passed in each section – more than 90 in writing.

Although the students received their special award this week, they deserve the admiration not only of their parents, but of the whole county. These youngsters set a goal, did the work and then made their school district – and county – proud.

They aren’t the only ones who should take a bow, either. The teachers and administrators who worked so hard to encourage and prepare their pupils are heroes, too – even though they would much rather pass the credit and thanks on to the children.

Congratulations on a job well-done.