Carolyn,
    I hope 8th graders continue to be cute.  They can be great.  I don't know how they fit in the school.  I recall in my 8th grade year it was awful.   I was 13 and everything was not the way I wished.   And most of the other 8th graders were about the same.  Are these the last of grammar school or the first of high school?  Sorry if this sounds a bit ignorant.  It makes a big difference.
Take care and continue with your great attitude.  It will make all the difference.
Doug