Conard Class of 2017 Told to Focus on the ‘Pursuit’
West Hartford’s Conard High School held its 60th commencement ceremony Thursday night on the school’s baseball field, celebrating the graduation of 378 students.
By Ronni Newton
When Conard Principal Julio Duarte welcomed the Class of 2017 at freshman orientation on August 27, 2013, it was also his first real day as principal of the West Hartford school, and on June 15, 2017, when he bid those students goodbye, he thanked them for not only continuing Conard’s excellent reputation but making the school an even better place.
On a picture perfect afternoon nearly four years later, as those same students were about to become new graduates, Duarte gave them some words of advice – the same instructions he had given his own young son at the start of preschool: Work hard. Have fun. Listen to your teacher.
“The truth is that there are no shortcuts to success,” Duarte said. However, having fun is also critical to achieving your goals and enjoying life, he said.
“Listen to your teacher” was meant more literally for his son Tyler, Duarte said, but for the new graduates it means they should listen to their inner voice and focus on “what the person in the mirror thinks.”
“Be proud of the person you are,” Duarte said.
Social studies teacher Steven Bassi was selected by the class as the faculty speaker. He said he based his speech on the pursuit of happiness, but with a focus on the “pursuit,” rather than the happiness.
Expect a struggle, he said, because it’s a necessary part of growth. “But you need to be the one at the steering wheel,” Bassi said.
“Understand the pursuit is a process and not a competition … As you choose what makes you happy you’re not in a competition. Happiness is one of the few things in the world that is not finite,” Bassi said.
He told the new graduates that what will come to define each of them is how they conduct themselves as they move forward in their “pursuit,” and that they should not do it with blinders on – and should do it with integrity.
“Ask yourself, are you blazing a path?” said Bassi.
Class President Lizzie Quinn welcomed and congratulated her classmates. “I’m proud to call all of you my friends … I’m going to miss you,” she said, urging everyone to keep working hard and keep smiling.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andrew Morrow, whose son Caleb Morrow is a member of the Class of 2017, represented the administration, but he spoke as a parent.
“We’re incredibly proud of you and your accomplishments,” Morrow said, and at the same time parents are scared of letting go.
Parents are also sad, he said, “because we remember that first day of kindergarten.”
Carol Blanks had the honor of representing the Board of Education at Conard’s commencement, and she also had a close connection to the class which included her twin daughters Cynthia and Kaye Paddyfote.
“This is your first major milestone. May are sitting in your seats and can’t believe this is happening and many of your parents can’t either,” Blanks said.
Life is like an amazing race, she said. “Control your journey and take in all of the wonderful experiences along the way … Today you are all winners and your diplomas are your awards,” said Blanks.
Senior members of Conard’s choir provided musical interludes, and two student speakers also addressed the Class of 2017.
“In the world we live in success is self-defined,” Emmanuel Adelani said, urging his classmates to work hard and urging parents to trust that their children have the skills they need and should be allowed to make their own mistakes.
Adelani said that Conard is a very special place. “As eager as some of us are to move forward and never look back, don’t ever forget your roots as a Chieftain,” he said.
Andre Lavado Costa told his classmates that they shouldn’t be afraid to leave home and try new things.
Although there are plenty of opportunities at Conard, it can’t compare to the choices of classes at college which “like the menu at Cheesecake Factory – it’s huge.”
Costa said that in the future the number of AP classes someone took or their standardized test scores won’t be what’s important. “In the end it’s the most positive experiences that we remember,” he said.
Tassels were moved from right to left, and mortar boards – many of which were decorated with the logos of colleges the students will attend in the fall – were tossed in the air, as Conard’s newest alumni processed out to meet family and friends, and their futures.
“It could not be a more perfect day,” said Jane LeFante, whose son Sam will attend Wesleyan University in the fall. She said she appreciated that everything about West Hartford Public Schools showcases the talents of the students, even the recorded jazz band music that played before the ceremony began.
Sharon Bruce’s second child, Fintan, is headed to Central Connecticut State University in the fall, and plans to be a teacher. He broke a bone in his foot right before prom, and wore a walking boot as he crossed the stage to get his diploma.
Before the ceremony Bruce said she was very excited, but when asked if she had shed any tears, she replied, ” I’ve already been doing that all day.”
A complete list of graduates from the Conard High School Class of 2017, provided by Conard, follows the photos.
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Conard High School Class of 2017:
Eliana Ava Acevedo
Emmanuel Olaoluwaonipekun Tola Adelani
Jonathan Reynel Aguilera
William Walling Allen
Nicholas Bernard Alvarez
Kaycee Alanna Ames
Michelle Mary Angeles
Adrian A. Ardon
Rimsha Asif
Asim Atreya
Aswin Atreya
Giselle Audain
Hannah Louise Avena
Mia Yuan Bagnall
Justin Dominic Baker
Hector B. Balarezo
Calé Jonathan Barlow
Patrick Liam Baron
Hugo Pol Barrillon
Shaela Breann Barry
Matthew Foley Batayte
Bergen Cheyenne Battiston
Gary Saevon Battle
Julia Jane Bazzano
Danielle Regina Beaumier
Hannah Marie Beazoglou
David Allen Bekele
Viviana Ayalis Belen
Samuel Carlo Benet
Abagail Marie Bermudez
Stephen Matthew Bintz
Harrison James Bissonnette
Josiah Eamon Blackwell-Lipkind
Katherine Mary Blaine
Emily H. Blinder
Nicholas K. Blue
Tiffany Ivonna Bobo
Eric Joseph Boccaccio
Julie Bouchot
Kyron Donnell Bridges
Andrew William Brown
Ayannah Olivia Brown
Fintan Heslin Bruce
Destiny Amorette Brucelis
Adrian Daniel Budhu
Zoe Helen Buntz
Sean Padraig Burke
Emily Frances Burnett
Alexandra Lee Burns
Kevin M. Busey
Xavier Michael Bustamante
Ronald Huayna Cabello Jr.
Miriam Alexandra Callahan
Anevay Constantina Callas
Madison Jean Carr
David James Carrasquillo Jr.
Jonathan Hector Carrasquillo
Andrew Michael Carson
Monet Noelle Carter
Jessica Elizabeth Celella
Joseph Jackson Celio
Raminder Chaddha
Natasha Kathryn Chandler
Yassmine Chefchaouni
Kevin Y. Chen
Lindsey Michelle Chen
Josiah Justin Chery
Michaela Antoinette Christie
Brooks Herbert Clement
Lauren Hunter Cohen
Nathalie May Monique Colombo
Damian Comulada
Liam James Connelly
Brendan Edward Connors
Jacob Matthew Conran
Branden Jay Cooper Jr.
Tyler Powell Brian Correira
Luis Anibal Cosme
Andre Lavado Costa
Aiden Paul Costello
Thomas Patrick Costello
Ryan Anthony Cova
David Elijah Cruz
Franklin Josue Cruz
Emily Hope Cullina
Quinton Charles Curry
Kaylee Nicole D’Amato
Elizabeth Anne D’Andrea
Brendan Garibaldi D’Arcy
Manuel Da Luz Moscardo De Souza
Daniel Martins DaCunha
Cameron Leo Daniel
Ruby Julien Brown Dann
Milena Maho Danzi
Beverly Regina DaRocha
Daniel Nathan Dashefsky
Vanessa Shelby Davis
Katherine Devi Day
Roxanne M. DeJesus
Jorge Dominic Delgado Jr.
Ryan Joseph DeLutrie
Tatiana Shateese Dennis
Myla Paige Denson
Blake Linden Deresienski
Joshua Thomas Derosiers
Hailey Elizabeth DiCicco
Rosa-Maria Diez
Mickayla Allan Diffley
Claudia Laura-Maria Dijmarescu
Matthew James Dill
Seyum Abebe Dires
Tony Victor DiTaranto
Richie Hoang Do
Yubo Dong
Tyler Hyun James Donoghue
Tyler Cody Dorfman
Caitlin Grace Dorsey
Liam Andrew Douglass
Emma Louise Dowd
Nora May Dynowski
Micaela Rena Eckett
Adam John Eikleberry
Alexander V.P. Emanuelson
Darci Marie Emonds
Lamisa Fairooz
Maya Jane Feigenbaum
Michael Francis Fernandez
Micah Shyheim Findley
Edwin Henry Fisher IV
Declan James Flaherty
Monifah Nakilia Danielle Fletcher
Alexander James Floyd
Bridget Anne Foley-Johnson
Dillon Jack Forstberg
Mia Carly Fox
Joan Maria Franco
Kevin Franco
Dominic Manuel Fuentes
Nathan Luis Garcia
Gwendolyn Barron Geisler
John Martin Gibbons
Allison Mary Gilson
Adam Henry Giroux
Sarah Marie Gockel
Dallas Jacob Goncalves
Sula Ruth Gordon
Carly Lynn Gorman
Samantha Francesca Grande
Virginia Mary Grant
Jordana Merlot Fleming Graveley
Jaylah Turhea Green
Brianna Nicole Grindley
Haley Alizabeth Guidotti
Mugdha Harshita Gurram
Patrick James Gustafson
Harper Louise Guthrie
Gabrielle Ann Halsey
Bryce Fallon Halter
Gretchen Lore-Anne Hambrecht
Mitchell William Handberry
Grace Katherine Hardesty
Adán Arabia Harrison
Elle Nicole Hartshorn
Faith McDonough Haverty
Owen Roelof Hendriks
Chloe Boyle Henninger
Marlon Boyle Henninger
Elijah John Hollens
Dawneshia Elizabeth Hutchinson
William Richard Vincent Jackson
Nicole Jaszczolt
Anastasia Jaworski
Javier Jerez
Mycah Bene Johnson
Syed Jawad Kaleem
Olivia Rose Kane
Ava Ruth Karp
Leah Wyman Kelly
Anuragi Khadka
Alexander Khan
Deborah Doyeon Kim
Henry Owen Kneidel
Trevor Jacob Kowal
Alexander Biesiada Krason
William Ford Krebsbach
Melina Giraldo Kritzman
Caitlyn Julia Krueger
Lauren Elizabeth Kumpa
Timothy Kent Kyle
Olivia Drew LaCasse
Elizabeth McKinley Ladd
Jonathan Edward Lagoy
Kenny T.P. Lambert
Jacob Robert LaRosa
Andy Le
Vinh Kha Le
Shannon Flynn Ledwith
Michael Albert Lee
Samuel Gaetano Lefante
Cecil Lamont Lester
Nicholas Taylor Levere
Nathaniel Ryan Licht
Roger Vincent Lin
Shu Lin
Anna Liu
Connie Liu
Matthew Paul Lombard
Mary Clare Looney
Jose Orlando Lopez
Raymond Lu
Charles Oliver Lucyk
Benjamin Anthony Lumbruno
Michael J. Mack
Keavy Maeve Carolina MacKenzie
Claire Madsen-Bibeau
Rebecca Lynn Maher
Delaney Ashonti Maldonado
Tatianna Alize Maldonado
Aidan William Maloney
Adam Malugen
Lucian Nefse Mark
Trevor Dylan Marsh
Vivia Kathryn Marshall
Cheyenne A. Marshall-Delude
Christine F. Martin
Sean Kenneth Marzik
Antonio Robert Masse
Merin Mary Mathews
Michael Leo Mathews
Allyson Olivia McCabe
Vanessa Ofelia McCabe
Molly Elizabeth McCluskey
Clare Margaret McCrudden
Rishai Elizabeth McDermott
Melissa Victoria McGuinness
Nathan John Medeiros
Margaret Rose Melly
Joshua Havit Mendez
Emily Elizabeth Miller
Alexander Robert Mock-Rossi
Nicholas William Moisei
Abrianne Lucille Mongillo
Kevonice Morgan
Samuel Miller Morgan
Benjamin Robert Morozuk
Joseph Patrick Morrissey
Caleb Andrew Morrow
Francisco Marcelo Munoz Acosta
Charles Erling H. Murray
Margaret Elizabeth Murray
Bianca Nadeau
Hunter Elan Nager
Samuel Richard Nanni
Arnas Naujalis
Xavier Dartagnan Neves
Thomas Edison Newton
Chuong Vu Hoang Nguyen
Julia Thanh Nguyen
Khanhvy Nguyen
Phuong Anh Nguyen
Melissa Marie Nunez
Conor Yancey Nuttall
Declan Gerard O’Brien
Tyler Matthew O’Connor
Brendan Robert O’Meara
Erin MacKenzie O’Meara
Sean Patrick O’Meara
Matthew Peter Occhineri
Darshani Ann Olano
Steven Walter Olechna
Sophia S. Oliveira
Milo Boyd Olson
Ireoluwa Jeremiah Oluwasina
Long Bich On
Emma Louise Oriol
Cynthia Aurielle Paddyfote
Kaye Antoinette Paddyfote
Destiny Shanice Padro
Dayvon Tyrese Parker
Jack Vincent Paulus
Emily Caroline Pavano
William Elyahs Perez
Mollie Elizabeth Petrizzo
Michelle Joanne Pettigrew
Huy Gia Pham
Paris Faith Sayers Phillips
Michael Gabriel Piekarsky
Paige Marie Pierce
Emily Whitfield Piker
Srikeerti-Reddi Pingle
Andrew Joshua Placzek
Zachary Cross Polo
Samuel Gregory Porcello
Marvin Anthony Prados III
Kevin Richard Puleo
Elizabeth Grace Quinn
Olivia Eleanor Racz
Mateo Ricardo Ramirez-Webster
Rebecca Linda Ramos
Spandan Pratik Rath
Connor Raymond Reid
Griffin Thomas Reid
Jeff Remy
Juan Oscar Requenes
Katherine Denise Rivera
Keraly Angeliz Rivera Santiago
Silas Elijah Rivers
Alyssa Kiara Roach
Makayla Amber Robles
Rodrigo Sebastian Robles
Melanie Romina Roca
Barbara Souza Rocha
Erin Katlin Roche
Mariana Tiago Rodrigues
Nathan Alexander Rodrigues
Alysah Marie Rodriguez
Elenis Rodriguez
Nelmarie Lareina Roman
Deyleen Rosario
Jacob Matthew Ryor
Elizabeth Anne Sagers
Amanda Salazar
Moya Aaliyah Sappleton
Romaine Sassou
Zoe Elizabeth Schaefer
Madeline Sara Schwartz
Jackson Kenneth Scigulinsky
Jordan Thomas Scrimgeour
Kailyn Delia Segura
Emily A. Senecal
Carlos Javier Serrano
Cristiano Sgarbi
Elijah Joseph Shapiro-Rios
A’Ishah Lee Silva
Vanessa Figueiredo Simao
Arashdeep Singh
Gurmehar Singh
Naija Aileah Sisco
Dana Marie Sklar
Jonathan Lee Smith
Nina Marie Sone
Dominic J. Sorgio V
Flavio Cesar Sotomayor
Nicole Marie Souza
Autumn Cheyenne Spence
Tatiana Alexcia St. Juste
Olivia Evans Starr
Taylor Andrew Steer
Brandon Cole Steiner
Erika Rosa Steiner
Sebastian Luis Suarez
Manal Tanveer
Serra Tekce
Lucas Francesco Teodoro
Bryant Van Thai
Jason Van Thai
Kenneth Van Thai
Davon Anthony Thomas
Ruth Ran Tian
Elijah Andrez Tisdol-Davila
Edvin Jesus Torres
Jesse Townsend
Ana Hoang Tran
Samantha Tran
Catherine Jamie Trotter
Dylan Noel Turner
Alanna Jeanine Uthgenannt
Ajay Varghese
Sebastian Isaac Venero
Abigail Mary Virgo
Harry Bromley Walker
Yilin Wang
David Joshua Weinstein
Koleman Isaac Werner
Jaeshawn Othneil Wilson
Peter Stafford Wilson
Lennert Windhorst
Mia Angela Yanosy
Jake Schuyler Yearsley
Sami Yonjan Lama
Ronglin Zhang