On May 19, the lights of the Iva Walker Auditorium shined brightly as students, families, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our James A. Garfield Middle School students during the annual Awards Night ceremony.
Before the program began, guests enjoyed a year-in-review photo slideshow highlighting memorable moments from throughout the school year. From classroom projects and field trips to athletic events, performances, and student activities, the presentation served as a reminder of the incredible experiences our students shared during the 2025-2026 school year.
Throughout the evening, students were recognized for a wide variety of achievements. Individual classroom Academic Achievement and Citizenship Awards highlighted students who demonstrated excellence both academically and through their character. Additional recognitions included our 4.0 Honor Roll students, G-Men of the Month recipients, Perfect Attendance honorees, Most Improved Students from both 7th and 8th grade, JAGcoin leaders, and Director's Awards from both the music and drama departments.
The ceremony also featured several inspiring student and staff speakers who reflected on the importance of hard work, perseverance, kindness, and making the most of every opportunity. Their messages captured the spirit of the evening and the set of Core Values that make Garfield Middle School such a special place.
As the night progressed, anticipation built for the presentation of the school's most prestigious awards. The Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Awards were presented to 8th graders Landyn Mosier and Sabrina Evans who exemplified leadership, respect, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The JAG Core Values Awards recognized 7th grader Audrey Gonsalves and 8th grader Haley Masters whose daily actions consistently reflected our nine core values of Teamwork, Creativity, Communication, Engagement, Perseverance, Integrity, Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the highly coveted G-Men of the Year Awards. As the votes came in it was Ben Kercher (7), Lucianne Lallathin (8), and Mr. Paes (Staff) who were honored for their exceptional contributions to the Garfield Middle School community. These awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond in making our school a positive, welcoming, and successful place for all.
Following the ceremony, families and friends gathered for a reception filled with photo opportunities, cake, conversation, and, of course, the Middle School's world-famous punch. The celebration provided a wonderful opportunity for students to share their accomplishments with those who have supported them throughout the year.
Awards Night was a fitting tribute to a remarkable school year and a reminder that success comes in many forms. Congratulations to all of our award recipients and thank you to our students, staff, and families for helping make James A. Garfield Middle School a place where excellence, character, and the G-Men spirit continue to thrive. It was a great night to be a G-Man!
Go G-Men!