NHA, HSC, Metro Kick Off Drive-By Grads

(Updated) New Haven’s graduating high school seniors got to walk onstage after all to receive their diplomas — even if they needed a lift to get there.

{The first 54 graduates, from High School in the Community, picked up their diplomas Tuesday morning under brilliant blue skies as the city began a series of Covid 19-jiggered commencement ceremonies.

The pandemic prevented the city from holding traditional ceremonies before crowds of hundreds or thousands at each school. Officials found a way of ensuring that seniors still had the experience of in-person graduation, cheered on by their families, teachers, and administrators: Set up a stage at Lighthouse Point Park. Have masked school officials at the stage. Have each family drive up, one at a time, as the seniors pop out one at time to come accept their diplomas amid congratulations.

A series of seven such graduations were scheduled at Lighthouse through Thursday. (Hillhouse’s is scheduled to take place at Bowen Field Thursday at 4:30 p.m.; Sound School’s at its Foote Street campus Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.; Riverside Academy at its parking lot Friday at 10 a.m.)

Overall, 1,300 seniors will take part in graduation ceremonies.

“I’m very excited that we’re able to do something today and give the students this opportunity to walk the stage, and I’m glad we had beautiful weather today to celebrate,” Asst. Superintendent Paul Whyte (pictured with HSC Building Leader Matt Brown) said as the first ceremony got underway at Lighthouse Tuesday morning.

HSC National Honor Society member Marlen Elizabeth Pineda (pictured) had figured she wouldn’t get the chance to walk at graduation due to Covid-19. ​“I’m feeling great!” she said at Tuesday’s ceremony. Her next step: majoring in nursing at Southern Connecticut State University.

“Many of the students got excited about the idea of, ​‘Wow I can still see people. I can still get cheered on! ​‘I can still have my moment where people are saying, ​“Great job you did it.,”’” said Building Leader Brown.

All but one of the HSC grads had found rides for the occasion. So a Lighthouse worker revved up a golf cart to drive the remaining student to the stage.

Math teacher John Cornelius (pictured) was ecstatic ​“to see my students again … and see them walk across the stage. I didn’t think this ever was going to happen.”

English teacher Jennifer Sarja congratulated students after they grabbed their diplomas. Some students tapped elbows with her. Others pulled her in for her a hug regardless of coronavirus restrictions.

“Do you have any idea how hard it was not to give the students a hug?” said Sarja. ​“It doesn’t feel right not to. We’re all family.” 

Diploma in hand, Amir Sakai Dina was asked about his future plans. His answer: ​“To make some money!”

NHA’s Turn: Ride The Rooftops!

Next up, at noon, New Haven Academy graduated 68 seniors.

The school usually has each student receive a diploma from a close teacher or mentor. This year, the school decided to have individual speeches aired on its website with personal dedications from faculty to each grad.

“It’s a little more sad sending off this class because we have been away from them for three months, but I’m confident that we’ve prepared them to make their marks on the world,” said Principal Greg Baldwin.

Literature teacher Marco Cenabre mentioned how this was the first time he saw the students in person since the start of the coronavirus. 

“Students learn from each other and in person. They talk ideas out loud. They hear other things and get inspired.” he lamented.

“Even as a lecturer, there’s certain things I can’t emulate. For instance, looking at body language to see if students internalized the lesson. Even when the camera is on [for online learning] it’s hard to tell if they got it or not. The lack of person has really subtle effects in learning.”

Graduate Katie Castillo is headed to Southern Connecticut State University. Initial plans: Pursue social work or criminology. 

Castillo said Cenabre has inspired her to pursue activities inside and outside of school.

“I had him last year and this year but throughout the whole school year I’ve been talking to him,” said Castillo. ​“I’m surprised I didn’t cry on stage.”

Some students were riding on the roof or sitting on the front window of the car as they took their turns at graduation.

“I’m really excited!,” exclaimed Sofia Moreno, who is headed to University of Connecticut.

Jakeem Edwards agreed it was a challenging school year with the switch to online classes. He rode on the top of his car blasting rap music to pick up his diploma. 

Michelle Torres stood holding a ​“Seal of Biliteracy Recipients!” sign, signifying she can speak both Spanish and English. Headed to Yale, she plans to major in cognitive science or history of public health science and medicine. 

“I’m so happy that everyone made such strenuous and amazing efforts to truly make this happen,” Torres said. ​“We’ve been dreaming of this since freshman year. Although times have been tough, I’ve had this memory in my brain and I truly have the same feelings I would have had that day.” 

New Haven Alder Kimberly Edwards walked the stage in honor of her son, Benjamin Brown, who passed away from brain cancer on March 26, 2019. He would have graduated Tuesday.

Edwards was greeted at the end of the stage with a shadow box from math teacher Nia Blackwell.

The box displayed a picture of Brown wearing a graduation cap with 2020 written across it. Edwards also held his picture in a frame of ​“Ben Matters” from the Imatter youth project.

Ben was one of Blackwell’s students. She knew of him mostly because of Ben’s friends.

“We just wanted to honor him,” said Blackwell. ​“Today, in general, I love this. Just to see they have succeeded in this part of their life and that they’re moving forward, it’s always something nice to see.”

Pride On Display For MBA

Ethnic pride was on display as Metropolitan Business Academy’s 98 graduating seniors took their turn at a 3 p.m. ceremony.

Principal Mike Crocco said the school and district worked to include the most important aspects of graduation at the drive-through ceremony. He also said he’d be interested in hosting an annual parade for graduating seniors, building on this year’s event.

Many of the senior’s families’ cars were decked out for the occasion.

Nancy Monter’s car (pictured above) reflected her Mexican heritage. It was her mom’s idea, she said.

Similarly, Gianlucas Naranjo said his mom came up with the idea of displaying the Puerto Rican flag.

Aliyeah Newman, who plans to major in criminal justice at University of New Haven, wore a crown as she rode on the car window. Like many classmates, she had expected graduation to be canceled. ​“I’m feeling a little nervous but honestly I’m excited that we at least got to do this,” she said.

Gillian D’Costa came down the line of cars waving to teachers she hadn’t seen in months, teachers who had a large impact on her experience. Her next step is to attend Central Connecticut State University, where she plans to major in biochemistry. 

“The staff at this school has been really great,” said D’Costa. ​“They’re like my best thing from high school. The guidance counselors too. They just got me through all of my problems.”

D’Costa pointed out Christopher Hekler, who teaches business psychology, e‑commerce entrepreneurship, and branded careers. 

“I think that Gillian is a great student,” he said. ​“I think senior year, so many things are coming at you at once. She handled it really well. I’m proud of all of my students. It’s definitely a little more emotional today because we haven’t seen them since March.”

“I’m feeling great! I finally get to graduate,” said Edgar Rivera. ​“It’s finally my day. Our day. I’m proud of all of my classmates and myself for getting through this.” He plans to join the U.S. Army.

Ana Velez Vega plans to study criminal justice at Eastern Connecticut State University. 

One graduate, Israel Lopez, decorated his mask. 

He sat with his immediate family in the front. His other family members rode behind him with, ​“COVID-19 not stopping us” painted on the car.