The closeness between teachers, students and community in a small school came shining through at Southport Central School’s annual graduation and awards ceremony held Friday, June 16 at the Southport Town Hall.

The presentation of medals, certificates, trophies and stuffed animals were followed by handshakes and/or hugs between teachers and students as each grade level teacher lauded each of the 30-plus students in grades pre-k through sixth.

And once again, the stars of the event were the graduating sixth graders. After arriving at the town hall from the school, as is tradition, on top of a fire engine, the four graduates – Eric Maki, Kayden Ames, Rafael Goldhirsch and Teal Beavis – entered the hall to a recording of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Goldhirsch and Ames then led the crowd of about 100 people in reciting the Pledge of Allegience, followed by Maki and Beavis leading the singing of the national anthem.

Pre-k and kindergarten teacher Katie Madden presented stuffed animals to her students, chosen to represent each student’s character. A hedgehog, squirrel, owl and more were gratefully accepted by the youngsters from their teacher.

Principal Marcelle Durost, who taught grades one, two and three, followed Madden’s presentations with her awards, and Shawn Gallagher, teacher of grades four, five and six, handed out his awards after Durost. Both of them had many kind words for the students, staff members and the community. Also handing out awards were art teacher Elizabeth Proffetty and Eileen Higgins for keyboarding.

Each graduate was then given a time to speak about their experiences at the school before Mrs. Durost and Mr. Gallagher handed them their framed graduation certificates.

After the student body sang two songs, two videos produced by Mrs. Higgins were shown – one made to honor the graduates and one to honor Mrs. Durost, who is leaving the school after five years.

Before the 90-minute ceremony ended, a teary-eyed Mrs. Durost talked about how lucky she was to have worked at the school that she loved and that she will miss the staff, students and community very much. Durost  was then showered with gifts and kind words from school committee members and parents.