Schools
Conard Sends Off Its Class of 2013
Close to 400 students graduate from the high-ranking West Hartford high school on a steamy summer evening.
By Lisa Lenkiewicz
And that they did on Monday, in a joyful ceremony of musical entertainment by senior choir members and a senior string trio plus inspiring speeches from faculty, students and administrators.
A sea of red and gray-robed seniors were led in a processional onto the softball field as family and friends waved and snapped photos – many under colorful umbrellas to combat the afternoon’s blazing heat and high humidity.
Faculty and staff not only handed students their diplomas, but offered parting advice. U.S. history teacher Steven Bassi, selected as the faculty speaker, challenged the students to leave behind the numbers that have defined them in high school – the standardized tests, the AP exams, or the class grades – and learn to be individuals who refuse to be evaluated by numbers and scores.
“Leave those numbers behind you and focus on experiences that can’t be captured by a digit or a number. By being different you are free from the grid,” said Bassi, who urged the graduates to show “character and grit” and to “be impactful” as they make their way in the world.
Bassi said what motivates him as a teacher are students who “dazzle me with creativity and persistence.”
As you go forward, Bassi told the graduates, “With choice comes freedom – soak it up, embrace it, have a positive impact. Don’t let numbers shape your destiny.”
Dr. Karen List, superintendent of schools, told a moving story about a Viennese psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, who chose to remain in Austria with his elderly parents even though he had a chance to flee before the Nazis invaded. His entire family – except for Frankl – perished in the death camps.
“I tell you this story because I believe human relationships are what make life worth living,” said List. She went on to encourage the graduates to “be kind, love one another and live a life of service.”
In a humorous talk, Board of Education member Terry Schmitt advised the students, “The good news is your prep work is done.” But the bad news is “it’s time to paint. Now here come the final coats. You are not done with your education, but you are prepared for it.”
Two students were chosen as commencement speakers – Michael J. Farrell and Luke T. Harrington. Student vice president Tess M. Woods welcomed the audience to the school’s 56th commencement ceremony.
Farrell spoke about the importance of silence: “When used correctly, silence can be a powerful force.” He urged his fellow students to “enjoy the silences” in their lives and “use silence to recognize your potential to change the world.”
“Success will come when we take time to listen,” added Farrell, who is also the senior class president.
Harrington praised his classmates for having shown “great promise” and for “a mindset of acceptance” in the school’s environment.
“Conard has built an immensely strong foundation,” he said. “This foundation will never crumble. It’s a rock meant to be built upon.”
The Class of 2013 included 113 National Honor Society members. Forty-six students graduated with highest honors (4.0 grade point average or higher).
An Appreciation for the Teachers
In speaking with students, it became clear the Class of 2013 is highly appreciative of the faculty at Conard.
Asked what he’ll miss about Conard, Nicholas Scheid was direct: “The teachers. You can tell they love their job.” This sentiment was echoed by Paige Townsend, who indicated she’ll miss her teachers and Conard’s “accepting environment.”
“I’ll miss the diversity here,” added Sophia Masse. Her friend Julia Galanto agreed. “I’ll miss the teachers and the overall environment.”
In his remarks to the graduates, Conard Principal Dr. Peter J. Cummings noted this class is well-prepared for their lives ahead. He added, “We are very, very proud of you and you will be missed. But wherever you go, you will always be a Conard Chieftain.”
The following is a list of the Conard High School 2013 graduates provided by Conard. Some names have been left off by request.
Aishah Abdullah, Ruben Francisco Abeyta-Mata, Binita Adhikari, Suyash Adhikari, Jessica V. Aguilera, Nicholas Xavier Alexandre, Amal Ali, Arseniy Arifovich Aliev, Jeremiah H. Allen, Sarah C. Allen, Victor Manuel Alvarado Jr., Justin Alvarez, Michelle M. Amara, Julia Anne Appicelli, Grant J. Arnold, Spencer Paul Arnold, Edgardo Joel Arvelo, Victoria M. Ashley, Akshay R. Asudani, Simran R. Asudani, Elijah Atwood, Amanda H. Augustinsen, Caroline E. Baker, Brenda E. Balarezo, Louis John Baldracchi, Savanna J. Balkun, Adam Gerald Baral, Zoe Kenausis Barlow, Glynn E. Baron III, Cara M. Bednarz, Andrew T. Bertini, Brian T. Bertini, Nikunj R. Bhimani, Aja Monet Blunt-Jones, Danika H. Boettger, Ellis B. Boettger, Shannon Mary Booth, Ariana Catherine Bos, Mark Ford Bouchard, Shannon Mary Bouvier, Omari D. Braswell, Genevieve Mary Brewer, Stefany Dayana Brusil, Grace Alice Bugos, Colin F. Burke, Michelle E. Busey, Caroline Militello Buyak, Julia Mary Byrnett, Tess M. Cagenello, Dionysus G. Callas, Casey R. Calvo, Denise Joanna Camp , Danielle Marie Campitelli, Francisco Candelas, Ethan Cannon, Nadiezka De Jesus Cano, Ashley Vanesia Carhee, Thomas M. Cariseo, Sean M. Carneiro, Ernie Casanova, Mario Fabrizio Casanova, Juan M. Cassaretto, Rodrigo Alonso Castillo, Marcelo Eric Chacon, Shane-Anthony Chang, Justin Michael Chen, Kelcie Denise Healy Cheverier, Emma Kathleen Christensen, Rose Lucia Clarke, Shantae Ashley Clarke, Siena N. Clymer, Cleveland Collins, Trevor S. Connal, Jacqueline Alexandra Connors, Alexsys D. Cooper, Emily J. Corrales, Ana Catarina Correira, Yuleyshka Marie Cotto-Diaz, Caroline Mary Crafts, Brandon Cyr, Margaret G. Czepiel, Vicitra Fournier Da Silva, Brenna S. Dannhauser, Isaac G. Dashefsky, Marina T. Davila, Whitney Janae Davis, Owen James Dawson, Nolan Dodd DeGraff, Alonzo DeJesus, Sarah Amber Delvalle, Mariam Gwaz Dembele, Lauren Kimberly Diaz, Sante A. DiCristofaro, Kaylen Difo, Angela Dindial, Kevin M. Dinh, John Clay Dinucci, Aimee E. DiPietro, Rocco Carlo DiTaranto, Alison M. Dizon, Connor Quinn Doran, Ian H. Dowd, Jacob Charles Dufault, Raymond Dumas, David M. Dupre, Michael R. Eddy, Brandon Michael Edwards, Warren J. Elkey, Kimberly Caroline Emile, Erica Escobar, Yvana Estrada, Jay L. Fair, Michael J. Farrell, James Elliot Featherstone, Max T. Feigenbaum, Haley M. Feingold, Evan William Ferguson-Hull, Fresia K. Fernandez, Sydney Grace Fernandez, Cassandra Marie Festa, Luis A. Figueroa, Charles Walden Fisher, Lukas J. Fisher, Michael R. Fisher, Aine Joyce Flanagan, Andrew John Flanagan, Morgan G. Flash, Elle James Fontanazza, Emma A. Frankel, Araisa Enid Franqui, Courtney Mae Fuller, Monet A. Furze,Julia E. Galanto, Alexis R. Galiatsatos, David Gates, Margaret Rose George, Daniel F. Gibson, Emily C. Gilbert, Carol Feldman Gilles, David Jay Girard, Brandon P. Giungi, Daniel M. Gluck, Stephan Roydon Gobin, Gabriel L. Goncalves, Shavon Shanice Gordon, Alexander A. Goroshko, Primativa Rose Gradante, Peter Grandia, Jared Russell Graveley, Alexandra Cohen Gray, Dennis R. Green, Tessa Nicole Green, Cherise Shakeela Greene, Brandon Parmanand Guman, Brian Christopher Guman, Kathryn J. Gustafson, Jason Gustavo Gutierrez, Lucas B. Hackett, Taylor Susanne Hadra, Melanie M. Haeflich, Adam Alexander Haggett, Madeline Rose Halsey, Luke T. Harrington, Jessilyn W. Hartman, Janay Abdullahi Hassan, Kara Kathleen Hearn, Alexander Hendriks, Asaad R. Hicks, John Lucas Hidalgo, Nam Q. Hoang, Rebekah M. Hoisl, Ty Michael Hollens, David K. Hollerbach, Liliana E. Hollertz, Abigail B. Hopkins, Douglas M. Horan, Joseph George Howard IV, Lydia Howard, Cesar Javier Huapaya-Rios , Jordan Robert Huhtanen, Tanya Hussain, Linh T. Huynh, Michelle Huynh, Christopher P. Jastrzebski, Trevor D. Jeanloz, Tatsuya Jonathan Jepson, Matthew R. Jerram, Ismail F. Jibrell, Amanda J. Jin-Corcoran, Shawn Johnson, Alex J. Jojin, Michelle Shaina Joseph, Alexis J. Karafelis, Chloe M. Karafelis, Jacob F. Karp, Margaret McGrath Kenna, Adam Frederick Khan, Mohammad Owais Khan, Eliott Austin Kiefer, Samantha Marie King, Shayla Antioinette King, Richard Isamu Kinoshita, Joseph Stanley Kobialka, Nitasha Kumar, Christian David Kuntz, Caroline Elizabeth Kuzoian, Emily Anne Kuzoian, Daniel Edward Kycia, Dawa Chhiring Lama, Phurwa Chhiring Lama, Abigail M. Langevin, Kyle George Langevin, Annelise M. Lankarge, Jovanni T. Lawrence, Nguyen Thuan Le, Stephanie Lee, ChukYan Li, Angelica M. Lindsey-Velez, Colleen E. Litchfield, Adam R. Litke, Jennifer L. Livingston, Juliette Livingston, Timothy J. Lopes, Juan David Lopez, Ashley Lynn Lopol, Colleen Quigley Lynch, Daniel James Lynch, Conor John Mahon, Gilberto Maldonado, James M. Manger, Kathryn E. Manger, Dean F. Marino, Ashely R. Marques, Michelle Marquez, Sean Patrick Marsh, John L. Martin, Mary Rose Martin, Ryan A. Martin, Brian Anthony Martinez, Christian Martinez, Kayla Linda Maruca, Sophia R. Masse, Chris L. Mathew, Grace Yong McCormick, Leah Zhou McGovern, Tessa Joanna McGowan, Brendan J. McGrath, Juan C. Medina, Katilyn Melendez, Drew J. Mendes, Sara Anne Meotti, Adam Michael Meza, Emily L. Michaud, Morgan Rene Milhomens, Nicole Marie Miller, Savannah Raye Cheyenne Mills, Tomas I. Miranda, Alexis B. Mitchell, Charlotte Marie Moller, Theodore Harris Monyak, Melanie M. Morales, Marcelo D. Moreira, Spencer Anthony Morin, Jonathan R. Morrill, Nolan R. Morrissey, Katherine Isabel Morse, Victor A. Munoz, Lucas James Muntz, Mustafe M. Mussa, Sean M. Nagel, Andre V. Nelson, Kathryn L. Newton, Thu-Anh Nguyen, Patrick A. Nobou, Anthony J. Nunez, Molly C. O’Hare, Anurag Ojha, Frank Odhiambo Omondi, Jennifer C. Onukwugha, Jamie E. Oriol, Mitchell Asher Orkin, Julia A. Orluk, Tenisha Ortega, Meghann E. Osgood, Malik Victor Outlaw, Thomy Adolfo Padilla, Amelia N. Papadakis, Maria Belen Patron, Alexandria Marie Penna, Gabriel Aloyzas Petkaitis, Kevin Thomas Pettigrew, Jessica L. Phu, Renee M. Picard, Caitlin E. Piker, Tiana Sophie Piscitelli, Megan Elizabeth Polo, Tevin S. Powell, Zachery Drew Powers, Joseph F. Presing, Phillip Prieto, Olivia Jean Proietti, Vivian Nicole Quiros, Peter James Reale, Catherine A. Reckmeyer, Melissa L. Rekas, John Judender Remy, Daniel Reyes, Brie Anne Reynolds, Manuel F. Ribeiro, Emma Jane Rinald, Kiara Rachely Rivera, Nathaniel Rivera, John R. Roberts, Laura E. Roberts, Samantha E. Rodowicz, Carmen Marie Rodriguez, Johnathan Martin Rodriguez, Dahian Francisco Rodriguez Polanco, Stephanie Amber-Marie Rogers, Ana Celia Rohttis Rivera, Luke K. Rosow, Brendon L. Rossmeisl, Zatania Carissa Samuels, Ron Sasonov, Andrew T. Scallion, James D. Scheibel, Nicholas R. Scheid, Militza Schwartz, Callan J. Serdechny, Tayyaba Shahbaz, Max J. Sherer, Sam M. Sherer, Rachel C. Silva, Sarah E. Simoni, Giovanni B. Sims, Yovindra Govinda Singh, Latisha S. Sisco, Anna E. Sklenar, Amanda Michele Sloan, Connor Owen Smedberg, Brendan K. Smith, Alyssa E. Snook, Owen Mark Snyder, Tina M. Souza, Gifford F. Spada, Miles Taylor Stein, Lenworth A. Stevens, Julia Emma Louise Stoughton, Mikayla Naomi Stricklett, Valerie Jane Stumpf, Kevin Joseph Sullivan, Meghan L. Sullivan, William P. Sullivan, Imaad Tanveer, Katherine M. Taylor, Erika L. Terencio, Tyler N. Terranova, Victoria Thai, YouYou Tian, Caroline B. Tibbitts, Joseph Anthony Tolla, Alaina Rose Torromeo, Paige Reynolds Townsend, Minh Tran, Kelsey Tryon, Emily C. Tuite, Samuel Joseph Turco, Elmedin Uvalic, Fatima Uvalic, Jeffrey Vanderpool, Britney Ann Vargas, Tiffany N. Vargas, Aisha Edith Vazquez, Destiny Vazquez, Rhyza Fleur Equina Velasco, Ricardo Velasquez, Nicholas P. Venora, Cesar Villazana, Emilio A. Volpe, Adam J. von Paternos, John Nelson Walker, Christopher K. Warren, Shaine David Devon Watkins, Emily P. Weidlich, Benjamin Francis Wein, Emily Samantha Weinstein, Kyle J. White, Kathryn M. Wieber, Owen Gregory Wilcox, Colin A. Wilkinson, Kristen Leah-Nicole Williams, Wayne C. Williams Jr., Brandon L. Wills, John A. Wilson, Kimberly N. Winnick, Alexander Rees Wittstein, Casey L. Woods, Tess M. Woods, Deanna Gabrielle Worcester, Travis J. Workman, Alexandra Yates, Emily Catherine Yates, Raymond Gabriel Ybarra Jr., Jensun Yonjan, Mariangela Bassi Zacarkim, Ping Zeng
