Spanish Lake Elementary holds graduation and awards ceremony

With cheers and tears, 244 Spanish Lake Elementary (SLE) fifth graders passed on to middle school during two promotion exercises on May 30 and June 1 at Lawton Chiles Middle School.
A catered lunch and glow-themed dance and entertainment was held in the SLE auditorium following the graduation ceremonies. It was bitter sweet as awards were presented and many of the students were together for the last time.
Families and students reflected on words of encouragement, fifth-grade quarter awards, special area and annual awards, American Legion Award and the coveted William Castro Apple Award.
Two students who have impacted students and teachers are selected to receive the Castro award which was established to honor the memory of fifth-grader William Luis Castro who lost his life in a car accident due to a careless driver on I-95 three years ago.
Students chosen must display some of William’s amazing qualities – kindness, determination, friendliness, perseverance, cooperation, strong morals and strong ethics.
The award has special meaning – the apple stands for the apple William so often shared with his teachers after lunch out of his giving spirit. The rainbow on the award stands for a bright rainbow students saw during a walk in 2016 to honor William’s birthday.
The two fifth-graders receiving the 2019 award from William’s parents were Daniel Caraballo and Laura Hernandez. They truly represent “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”