05/20/2026
BCSD CELEBRATES EIGHTH GRADE PROMOTION
More than 200 students from three Bullhead City School District campuses are on their way to becoming high school freshmen. Eighth grade promotion ceremonies marked the end of their education in the K-8 system as they prepare to enter ninth grade.
Fox Creek Junior High School promoted 193 eighth graders. Another six were from BCSD’s Life Academy campus at Coyote Canyon School, while two were Life Skills students at Bullhead City Middle School. The overwhelming majority of those students will attend Bullhead City’s Mohave High School in the Colorado River Union High School District. Colors were presented by four MHS Air Force Junior ROTC cadets, and the National Anthem was performed by two MHS choir members; four of those six MHS students are Fox Creek alumni.
Fox Creek principal Julie Vogt told the students, along with hundreds of family and friends, that they were celebrating the accomplishments, growth and achievements of the future class of 2030.
“As you prepare to enter high school,” she said, “remember that success is not measured only by grades and achievement, but also by your kindness, determination, integrity, or willingness to keep learning and growing. Continue to challenge yourself. Support one another, and take advantage of the opportunities ahead of you. Today is not an ending, but is the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibilities.”
Perseverance was the theme of Fox Creek’s student council vice president, Layla Owens, who noted that growth doesn’t always come easy.
“It comes through patience, effort, determination, and it comes from learning how to stand up after falling,” she added. “And to keep going, even if things are hard.”
For 28 years, Dr. Noelle Blevins has taught history and social studies since Fox Creek’s opening day. As the promotion ceremony’s keynote speaker, she surprised students when she approached the podium costumed in blue coveralls and a red headscarf – which older attendees immediately recognized as Rosie the Riveter from World War Two – women who stepped out of their comfort zones and into traditionally male careers such as aircraft and ship building when men went into the military. She used her “Rosie persona” to share three lessons: never stop learning, be yourself – but be your best self, and life is what you make it.
“Think about yourself next year on your first day in high school,” said Blevins. “You may walk in that first day and say, ‘OMG what did I get myself into?’ But remember what Rosie did – she saw a job that needed to be done and she put her mind to it. Yeah, it will be a challenge at times, but a lot of the best things are.”
Dropping below the podium for a moment, she reemerged wearing a cap and gown.
“You’ve never seen me wear this [costume] before,” she said with a smile. “But it may be one of the most important. And in four years, I want to see YOU wearing it. I want you to be sitting here, once again, with your friends and family around, clapping for each and every one of you.”
Coyote Canyon School and Life Academy principal Kate Hall concluded the themes of challenges and opportunities, reminding the incoming freshmen not to worry if they don’t have everything figured out.
“High school is your chance to start new things, make new friends and reinvent yourself,” said Hall, a 40+ plus year Bullhead City resident and past Community Achievement Award educator of the year. “Step onto that new campus with confidence and your head held high. Work hard and take risks that push you toward greatness. If you fall, dust yourself off, learn the lesson and continue moving forward, because you can do hard things.”
The entire promotion ceremony, including all comments, student presentation of certificates and a retrospective slide show, may be viewed on BCSD’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP1G1npEPoU . Please note that the processional and recessional music is not audible in the livestream due to licensing. Click on photos for captions; be advised that Facebook doesn’t always display photos in order.
