Independence Middle School eighth grade students were recognized for academic, musical, and leadership achievements at the 2023 Eighth Grade Awards Program.
Receiving recognition at this event were:
- American Legion Award: Cami Fisher and Colton Fisher
- Sgt. Russell Kurtz Patriotism Award: David Gratton and Tanner Lisak
- Bethel Woman’s Club Award: Romane Crepieux and Evarett Briggs
- Principal’s Award: Miriam Anderson and Tyler Miller
- Assistant Principal’s Award: Santino Nowozeniuk and Payton Purcell
- Counselor’s Award: Isabella Grooms and Carlow Walker
- National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award: Nathan Purcell
- World Language Awards:
- Spanish: Francesca Balkovec, Nora Cooley, Charlotte Jaszcar, Ella Krisfalusky, Krysten Lam, Jacob Patterson, Nathan Purcell, Emily Reid, Lucia Sciullo, Nevinka Silva Ratnayke, Mackenzie Smock and Colin Uhl
- French: Maura Blum, Liliana Cantofanti, Cayden Chilenski and Gianna Young
- Latin: Kaedon Clark and Sophia Willis
- German: Zoey Roberts, Jaden Veinovich, Connor Blocklin and Sydney Miller
- Global Mindset Award: Romane Crepieux
- Fine Arts Awards: Francesca Balkovec, Alexander Bielozer, Liam Coll, Reagan Finnell, David Gratton, Max Janosik, Charlotte Jaszcar, Julian Lubawy and Haley Walters
- Nancy Gleason Gavola Award in Drama: Riley Philage and Sophia Willis
- Suzanne Reid Music Award: Jaden Veinovich
- Stephen Chbosky Writing Award:
- Argumentative: Hasini Chava
- Narrative: Michael Hladio
- Marissa Boylan Scholar-Athlete Award: Brayden Bruckner and Cami Fisher
- IMS Athletic Academic Award: 8th Grade Girls Soccer Team
- Spirit of Independence Award: David Gratton
- Stephanie Petit Award:
- Team Integrity: Liam Coll and Sarah Viola
- Team Liberty: Lily McDonald and Nathan Purcell
- Team Freedom: Liliana Centofanti and Kai Roule