Courtney Luciana photos
A mobile stage dripped Cross Pride with red and white flower bouquets, balloons, and banners to celebrate the graduation day for 363 Wilbur Cross High School seniors — and a beloved administrator who is retiring after nearly four decades.
Of the 363 graduates, 330 seniors confirmed their attendance to receive their diplomas at a drive-through ceremony at Lighthouse Point Park Thursday.
The families claimed a designated hourly time slot in advance. Each hourly interval allowed for 40 cars so that each student could soak in their final “hoorah” moment.
The drive-through ceremony starting at 9 a.m. could not help but be celebrated with many tears, hugs, and selfies by both the graduates and staff, who cheered from the stage sidelines for the families. The ceremony was scheduled to continue until 6 p.m.
The unorthodox graduation was a celebration of not only the students but also of Myrta Bonilla, assistant principal of the school’s Law & Public Service Academy. She is retiring after 37 years of working at Cross.
Though socially distanced, Bonilla’s final graduation was a special one for her, she said. In Bonilla’s career, she has witnessed nearly 12,000 students graduate with her help, said Principal Edith Johnson. who calls Bonilla her “work mom.”
“She lives and dies for Cross. We love you. I dedicate this graduation to you,” Johnson said.
Lyna Atek (pictured above) wore glittery red eye shadow to mirror the school color. Her future will shine just as bright when studying digital marketing at a community college in Manhattan.
Atek said having Cross pride means to be proud of the progress throughout the four years of high school.
“I came from a very rough place, and I’ve made it now,” Atek said. “It was very hard to get to this point.”
When graduate Leo Quinones (pictured) walked the stage, he made sure to give Bonilla a tight hug.
“Ms. Bonilla taught my mother when she was in high school. It touched me. I had a rough four years, so I still managed to pull through, but Ms. Bonilla always pushed me. She never gave up on me,” Quinones said.
Quinones said he wants to remain focused so he will be joining the Army to train to become a medic.
Diaveon Clark exited the stage to give Bonilla one last hug. Clark will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University in the fall to study psychology.
Diaveon Clark hugs Myrta Bonilla goodbye.
“Diaveon was always on top of her grades!” Bonilla exclaimed.
Bonilla said that she plans on staying in tune with not only the school system but the community.
“Today is very emotional,” said Bonilla. “I’m going to miss the kids that would come to my office and come visit me. I will always remember the class of 2020, and it’s going to be deep in my heart.”
WYBC-FM 94.3 will be broadcast the full graduation listing all 363 graduates. Cesar Queen will be playing violin in a musical performance. Listeners can tune in at 7 p.m.
Queen (pictured) plays violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, piano, and guitar, and sings choir as a countertenor.
“I’m leaving a lot of what I’ve built throughout all four years of high school, so it’s a struggle leaving that,” said Queen. “My dream is to be a recitalist as a violinist.”
Queen said he shares a close relationship to Johnson after bonding over music.
“We’re very close as both musicians and as a team together to work through different things all school related,” Queen said. “She’s willing to work with anyone in any situation.”
Johnson formed a close relationship with Queen after he discovered that she had played the violin since she was seven years old and also throughout college.
“Last year, someone told Queen that I played the violin, and after that he got on my calendar. Then I attended the strings class twice a week, and we practiced together,” Johnson said. “For the spring concert we played a double violin concerto. I think Cesar along with several kids who are musicians and actors are going to be famous one day.”
Atziri Rodriguez received both honors and the seal of biliteracy.
“It feels great today,” Rodriguez said. “I took like eight APs, and it was a lot of hard work. A lot of tears and effort went into it, so I’m really proud of myself.”
Rodriguez will be attending UConn to study psychological science and focus on forensic psychology.
Principal Edith Johnson and Yarian Grant.
All staff members and family hollered for student athlete of the year Yarian “Chino” Grant.
“It feels really good but I feel like I should have another year. The best feeling is on the football field with all of my friends and teammates and having that brotherhood. I couldn’t do it without my team, my coaches, and my family,” Grant said. “All of my family were football stars back in the day so I’ve got to live up to their legacy.”
Grant’s family features his achievement ‘Athlete of the Year’ on the back of their car.
Grant’s next move is to attend Plymouth State University in New Hampshire to play football and wrestle.
Amarilis Rodriguez also received an honor diploma.
“I had my obstacles throughout these years, good and bad, but overall it was good,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez pointed out Lisa Davis Rucinski, visual arts teacher, as her favorite.
“I was her TA,” Rodriguez said. “She was always there when I needed help. She made sure I went to the library when I needed it.”
Rodriguez will be attending UNH to study business management.
“Amarilis is a sweetie,” said Rucinski. “She helped me in my ceramics class. She helped to make sure all of my glazes were clean and that they were set up, and that the clay was out. I was keeping her on task to make sure she was graduating.”
Julian Butcher-Scott got emotional as he walked off stage.
“It didn’t hit me completely yet,” Butcher-Scott said. “I’m the first one to graduate out of my family, so it’s probably going to hit me when I get back in the car.”
Butcher-Scott gives a final hug to almost each and every Cross staff member.
Butcher-Scott has plans to attend Gateway Community College for a year before transferring to Western Connecticut State University. He plans on majoring in sports medicine with a minor in business.
Principal Johnson said Cross is allergic to laziness when referring to how much effort was put into planning the graduation.
“We go hard. We are Wilbur Cross,” said Johnson. “It’s go hard or go home.”