Marshall attends P.S. 46 graduation

After Queens Borough President Helen Marshall congratulated graduating fifth graders at P.S. 46 in Bayside, she asked the group of nearly 100 students to turn around and shout a resounding message to their parents and relatives, who filled the school’s small auditorium.
“Thank you,” the students yelled to their supporters, for providing love and encouragement throughout their education at the local elementary school.
Marshall also advised the children to follow their dreams for the future during the graduation ceremony, held on Friday, June 22.
“The sky and the world are open to you,” she said to the students, most of whom are headed to M.S. 74 in the fall. She later added, “You are the stars of Queens.”
During the graduation ceremony, student council members Jason Batilo, William Chow, Jacob Han, and Annie Liang presented Dr. Dennis Carey, who heads the Diabetes Section of Schneider Children’s Hospital, with a check for $6,000, money earned from a spring walk-a-thon.
“You learned about the gift of giving. The gift of giving will help you all throughout your lives,” Marshall said of the event and check presentation.
And the students in turn wowed Marshall with several songs including the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, a recitation of what they will best remember about the school - including their teachers, friends and even the cafeteria workers - and their dance moves.
Performing the foxtrot, swing, tango, and merengue, a group of 10 students twirled around the school’s stage, showing off moves they learned during ballroom dancing class earlier in the year.
Marshall also presented P.S. 46 Principal Marsha Goldberg with the flag of Queens and congratulated the school’s active parents and staff during her talk.
“A school is measured by the Parent-Teacher Association,” Marshall said of the group led by Donna Benkert.