Lawrence Middle School eighth-graders celebrated with promotional parade

The vehicles drove down Causeway past the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club as the Lawrence Middle School eighth-grade promotional parade got under way on the morning of June 16.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, large gatherings remained banned. As is the case with districts across Long Island, the Lawrence School District is marking graduations with car parades and virtual ceremonies.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the procession wound through Lawrence with four stops. It first stopped in Cedarhurst, and then went through Woodmere at nine locations, then back to Cedarhurst for four more. In Inwood, the parade made 11 stops and then headed to Atlantic Beach for its final pair of stops.

On Causeway by the country club, eighth-grade graduate Judah Smith and his family got out of their decorated Chrysler Cruiser and waited for the parade. Smith said he thought his middle school years, especially his last, helped prepare him for future schooling.

“It means that I have grown as a person and I’m ready for high school, then college,” said Smith, who is considering becoming an entertainer, possibly an actor or comedian. “Better study habits and work habits,” he added, elaborating on his maturity as a student with an eye on his future.