Dearest 8th graders,

I bid you farewell as you leave Okeeheelee and pursue your education in high school. You are a special group to me as you were sixth grade students when I became the principal of Okeeheelee. We learned the ropes together and it has been my pleasure to see each of you grow and mature into the fine young ladies and men that you are today. In high school, I encourage you to get involved in as many activities as you can. You will only be in high school once in your life; why not have fun while you are learning? Success in high school is simple: attend classes, do your work, and do what you know in heart is right. Simple, right? At some point in your life, when you remember the teachers and staff that made a difference in your life, send them a message of gratitude. We are all in this profession because we are passionate about helping kids and changing lives. Thank you for sharing your middle school years with Okeeheelee and allowing me to be a part of your journey. I wish you love, peace and health.

Mrs. Morales

I remember your first day on campus when you were all 6^th graders. Your first year at Okeeheelee Middle School was my first year at Okeeheelee Middle School. You walked the halls very scared and then quickly found your place on our campus. By the time you reached 7^th grade, you began making new friends, many of you faced challenges that you have never faced before, and you became more curious about life. When you became 8^th graders you have experienced a lot of “Firsts” at Okeeheelee Middle. This is the first year that you began your journey into becoming young adults in a virtual environment. It was a difficult year for everyone, but you made it! You saw your way through to the end because of your perseverance. American author Gail Sheehy once said “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living.” Continue to grow into the wonderful young adults that you are already becoming.

I have watched you grow into beautiful, amazing people that you have become over the past 3 years. I credit your parents, our teaching staff, and each other for shaping who you are now and who you will be in the future. To be where you are right now means that you have worked hard and you have earned it. Do not forget the lessons that you have learned from the staff at Okeeheelee Middle School and the three shared values: Respect, Responsibility, and Community. Remember the sacrifices that your parents or guardians made for you along the way and remember to keep a strong moral compass as you go into your future.

Take with you all of the challenges, heartaches, and lessons learned and forge your way into your new journey in high school. I am excited about the future ahead of you and I am so very proud of all of you. Although it is hard for me to say goodbye, you will always be in my heart. Congratulations Okeeheelee class of 2021. Remember to always do the right thing when no one else is watching. Know that I will miss seeing you walk the halls of Okeeheelee Middle.

Well, I don't really have a favorite OMS memory because every day spent at OMS was my favorite memory. All the teachers were great to me, and they were really cool, especially Ms. Exline, she was the coolest teacher there by far. I think I'm really going to miss OMS and all those crazy middle school years I spent there. And one thing I'm going to miss the most is all the amazing teachers and friends that helped me learn and grow each passing day. They taught me so much and I'm really thankful for them. I'm really thankful for everyone, really. All the wonderful memories OMS gave me I will never forget. I've learned a lot this year, more than I wanted to learn. I learned that when life doesn't go as planned, make exceptions. Adapt to the changes life throws at you, just go with the flow. That's what OMS taught me because every day I spent there was as random and exciting as the last. My days there were never planned out detail by detail and I never had a schedule of what I was going to do that day or goals that kept me on track because OMS taught me to just go with the flow. Just be chill, and have fun. Also, I learned this year that not everyone will always be kind to you, no matter how hard you try to be kind to them. Those are the people who are using you, you have to find out who appreciates your kindness, and not waste your time on the people who take advantage of your kindness. That lesson was the hardest lesson I learned this year. So goodbye middle school! Goodbye all my wonderful teachers! Goodbye to all those people who taught me a lesson in life! Goodbye to all of the friends I made at OMS! And goodbye to everyone I know and love! I will never ever ever forget my crazy life changing years spent at OMS.

XO, Layla Caesar :)