Earlier this week, Ludwig and NCCS faculty members formed an eighth grade recognition parade that took two days to complete and covered almost 100 miles. They visited each eighth grader’s home and planted lawn signs to recognize students’ graduation, while music teacher and brass musician Cordell Harris honored students with a musical performance.

Currently in his first year teaching at NCCS, Harris noted that this year’s eighth grade recognition took a very different form than what he was expecting.

However, “It was one of the best experiences of my teaching career,” he told the OBSERVER. Upon arriving at each student’s house, the car parade began honking their horns, and Harris played a short rendition of reveille on his trumpet to present Ludwig. Then, Harris played motivational favorite “Eye of the Tiger” and was joined by Jodie White on French horn and Steve McChesney on oboe. “Students were so excited and overjoyed to hear and interact with their teachers from six feet away!” he recalled. “Air hugs were given to all!”

For several eighth graders, NCCS has been their home since the age of three. One of those students is Victoria Tate, daughter of Brandi Tate of Dunkirk, who entered NCCS’ PreK-3 classroom 11 years ago.

Noah Benjamin of Dunkirk is one of NCCS' eighth grade graduates who will be attending Dunkirk's P-tech Academy this fall.

The group has shared many important milestones over the years. Brandi Tate said, “We have all prayed together, sang together, camped together, played sports together, been in musicals together, many May Crownings, Ash Wednesdays, made their holy communion as a class, repented as a class and enjoyed many Christmas and spring concerts together.”

Tuesday’s celebration was “a wonderful surprise,” Tate told the OBSERVER. At first, her daughter was shocked — even concerned — to see her principal driving up to her house, beeping his horn. Then, she noticed a parade of cars behind him that included several NCCS faculty and staff members.

“They did the NCCS cheer in the front yard and applauded Victoria,” said Tate. “It was just a really special moment.”

NCCS has prepared eighth graders to attend several different high schools this fall including Canisius, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Mount Mercy, P-Tech Academy and St. Francis. “NCCS has given Victoria the strength, courage and confidence to be able to be secure within herself,” said Tate. “She has the confidence to be wrong: Whether she knows an answer or doesn’t know the answer, she’s not afraid to raise her hand and say, ‘I didn’t understand that.'”

Joe Askar, who has also attended NCCS since the age of three, is looking forward to his next chapter at Canisius High School. He is excited to be accepted into the Ignatian Scholars program and is enrolled in honors and accelerated classes.

NCCS Principal Andy Ludwig, teachers and staff visited the homes of all graduating eighth grade students this week to celebrate their achievements. The group is pictured here at the home of eighth grade student Victoria Tate.

His mother, Jennifer, said, “This is a true testament to not only the challenging and comprehensive curriculum offered, but also to the quality of instruction from the teachers at NCCS. The teachers have not only demanded discipline with studies, but they have also helped shape Joe to be behaviorally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for the next step in his academic career. We are so grateful for the last 10 years at NCCS, the memories he’s made from participating on various sports teams, his music and theatre experiences, the cherished friendships, and we are looking forward to what the future holds for him.”

For the Strang family of Westfield, NCCS is “a second family,” according to dad Robert Strang III. His son, Robert IV, is graduating from NCCS this year and will attend St. Francis High School in the fall. He is the fifth child in his family to graduate from NCCS, and his sisters Abigail (sixth grade) and Bethany (first grade) are current NCCS students. Three-year-old Scarlett may enroll in PreK this fall. Reflecting on how NCCS has prepared his children, Strang told the OBSERVER, “It’s not just the religion aspect. It is the manner in which the kids are asked to conduct themselves, whether that be from opening doors, to using manners, to having courage.”

Strang said his son is excited to begin high school this fall and enjoy more of the activities that he was part of at NCCS, including music, band, athletics, and the arts. “When my kids entered high school (at St. Francis and Mt. Mercy), they knew they came from NCCS because of the preparedness and the educations they had,” said Strang.

Ludwig said that he and his staff at NCCS miss their students and feel especially sad for eighth graders who are leaving under such unusual circumstances. He hopes to plan a few activities for these students as an entire school, once more information is released regarding a phased re-opening for this region. “A small school like NCCS may be able to hold a few events that are completely safe and allowable under regional reopening guidelines,” he told the OBSERVER. “In the meantime, we want all of our students, and especially our graduating eighth graders, to know how special they are and how much we love them.”