CHICAGO, IL – Just how many people attended Friday’s Mooseheart Fifth- and Eighth-Grade Promotion is difficult to ascertain. The setting, the Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chicago, was certainly different but also much more crowded than some might have thought for this celebration that took place on the afternoon before the Moose International Convention officially opened.But when Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler asked those in the crowd to let the students on state know that they were out there – the cheer was as loud as it was prolonged.

“That was loud,” Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart said. “You could see row after row of dedicated, loving Moose members who were here to support our fifth- and eighth-graders. It was awesome. It was an event that wasn’t highly-publicized and the Convention hasn’t even really started yet.”

Certainly support of Mooseheart’s children is never in question within the Moose fraternity, whose stated goals are support of the school just south of Batavia as well as Moosehaven, located in Florida. But Friday gave the fraternity one more chance to show those students how much they are loved. The ceremony was moved from its usual site at the Mooseheart Fieldhouse to enable convention-goers a chance to attend the ceremony. And they showed up in the hundreds.

“Without you, your support and your tireless efforts in the field,” Hart said when he addressed the audience and the graduates from the lectern. “I can’t say ‘thank you’  enough to each member out there for what you contribute, what you give, what you go through on a daily basis to make the fraternity the greatest fraternity in the world and to make this day possible for our fifth-graders and our eight-graders.”

Hart also turned away from the audience and addressed the soon-to-be promoted students directly.

“I want to say how proud I am of you for all that you have achieved at Mooseheart in your young lives and all that you will achive in the future,” Hart said. “There’s a great responsibility set before you – to be the leaders of tomorrow, to take every advantage possible and every opportunity possible to educate yourselves. Now is the time in your life to do all those things.”

Women of the Moose Grand Regent Marion Friend handed the certificates of promotion to each student as he or she crossed the stage. Also congratulating the students were Women of the Moose Grand Chancellor Barb McPherson and Hart.

Friend spoke to the students before they were formally promoted and commended them for the love of learning they have achieved.

“I commend you and your teachers,” Friend said. “My wish for you is to enjoy your educational experience and to learn all that you can for as long as you can.”

Mooseheart’s series of academic promotions concludes on Saturday when the Class of 2009 is graduated in a ceremony that begins at 9 a.m. at the Mooseheart Fieldhouse. Admission is free, the event is open to the public, and a standing room only crowd is anticipated.