It’s been a banner year for Waterloo Middle School, and the Waterloo School Board had the opportunity to hear firsthand from six of the middle school’s most prolific and industrious students. Each student shared what activities they participated in, and some of the positive things happening in the middle school during the 2025-26 school year. 

“I’ve noticed an increase in participation at our school dances and other events this year,” said Bryce O’Connell, an eighth grader at Waterloo Middle School who is heavily involved in both athletics and music. He shared how initiatives such as the monthly Roots and Routes assemblies and Calm Cafe encourage students to demonstrate positive qualities during the school day. 

In her first year as a middle school student, sixth grader Meadow DeLucia has enjoyed all of the activities the middle school has to offer and the bonds she has formed with her teachers.

“Our teachers are so amazing,” said DeLucia. “They always make you feel comforted and supported.”

To seventh grader Owen Passalacqua, the sense of community at Waterloo Middle School is one of its strongest points. 

“We have town halls, where we can meet with everyone and have a great time,” said Passalacqua. He also had the opportunity to travel with other members of the Respect Team to Hobart and William Smith Colleges for a student leadership conference in the fall, where they gained early experience being on a college campus.

“This year, we’ve all worked together to improve the culture and atmosphere of our building, by promoting our district’s pride traits and holding each other more accountable for our actions,” said eighth grader Evan Morrin, who serves as president of both the Respect Team and National Junior Honor Society. “I hope that the positive atmosphere and the lessons we are learning now will carry over into next year.”

The students who presented include eighth graders Evan Morrin and Bryce O’Connell, seventh graders Owen Passalacqua and Leah Sessler, and sixth graders Meadow DeLucia and Jacob Pilat.