A large group of Alva eighth grade students celebrated their completion of middle school and their promotion to high school Thursday night. The Alva High School auditorium was filled as AMS Principal Stephanie Marteney welcomed the audience and introduced those on the stage.

Kenneith McIntosh directed the seventh and eighth grade chorus in singing "Blackbird." Marteney then introduced the speaker, Dr. Janet Cunningham, president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Cunningham opened her remarks telling the eighth graders she had been where they were now sitting as a proud graduate of Alv...