Laughter and cheers filled the air as the fifth-grade class of El Rodeo Elementary School walked onto the auditorium stage for their promotion ceremony on May 28, marking the end of an unforgettable elementary school journey. But this year, the event was more than just a rite of passage—it was a celebration of resilience, growth and new beginnings.
This group of students holds a special place in the school’s history. They were in kindergarten when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed the world, and virtual learning, mask mandates and social distancing became part of their early education. The class of 2025 is also the first to graduate from the school since reconfiguration in 2019 when all students were relocated to Hawthorne Elementary School during the construction of the new campus.
“This year is the year of firsts,” Principal Sarah Kaber said. “You were the first to decorate these brand-new walls with butterflies from the Butterfly Project, a bright symbol of transformation. And today, you are the first students to be promoted from this auditorium, standing at the threshold to your next big adventure. Today, we look back not just at what’s behind us, but as far as you all have come. Each of you has grown in knowledge and character and confidence, and today, we honor every part of your story, your struggles, your successes, your friendship, and your growth.”
The ceremony also included fifth graders singing the school’s alma mater, remarks from teachers, and speeches by several students who shared memories and reflected on their journey over the last five years.
“Can you believe we started as sweet, adorable kindergarteners who were scared of the dark, and now we have become the shining light for those who come after us?” Julia Razi said. “In the past years, we’ve learned a lot. From reading “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to writing five-paragraph essays about climate change, from adding two plus two to multiplying fractions, from learning to color in between the lines to sculpting a ceramic butterfly.”
“COVID made school weird and hard at times, but it also showed us how strong we are,” Theodore Benyamin said. “We learned to adapt, to be flexible, and to keep going even when things didn’t go perfectly, like when Zoom froze because the Wi-Fi went out, and it made us look like we were frozen in space. If that wasn’t enough change, we also moved from Hawthorne to this new, beautiful campus, El Rodeo.”
Students paid homage to their time at Hawthorne, highlighting carnivals, Pajamarama, Halloween parades, and movie nights, as well as the cherished experiences that shaped their time at El Rodeo, which included an overnight field trip in the Santa Monica Mountains, dance parties, and a multicultural day.
As cameras flashed and the 106 students were awarded their certificates, it was clear that this wasn’t just a graduation—it was truly a milestone. Moving on to Beverly Vista Middle School, these fifth graders leave behind not only a legacy of resilience but also a foundation for future classes to build upon.
