Because of the rain, 363 Hall High School seniors received their diplomas on Monday evening, in the school’s West Hartford gymnasium.
By Katie Cavanaugh
Hall High School Class of 2015 waits to receive their diplomas. Photo credit: Katie Cavanaugh.
As the rain came down in West Hartford throughout the day and into Monday evening, 363 Hall High School seniors marched through the Hall High gymnasium to receive their diplomas.
The ceremony was originally supposed to be outside, but mother nature had other plans. Fortunately, a lovely ceremony was held inside the school.
This slight setback did not thwart the students’ enthusiasm. Leanne Brennan, a senior at Hall High, was just happy her big day had finally arrived. “I wanted it to be outside because that’s where more people can fit, but I’m just excited to graduate,” said Brennan.
Hall was filled with proud parents and enthusiastic teenagers who are ready to move on to the next stage of their lives. However, as with all of life’s stepping-stone moments, there was a general consensus of melancholy among the graduates. One of these students is Andrea Barrows, a Hall High senior who will be going to Dickinson College in the fall. “I think it’s going to be bittersweet but I’m ready for a change,” said Barrows.
The ceremony was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Student Association Board of Education Representative, Paul Zeuschner. The crowd remained standing for the National Anthem, played by the Hall High Concert Band.
Hall High School Principal Daniel Zittoun introduced the Class of 2015. He told a story about the first time his five-year-old daughter said she was ready to ride a ferris wheel without her parents. “She was ready. She knew she was ready, and she did it,” said Zittoun. In a similar way, Zittoun said he has realized the Hall High Class of 2015 is ready to graduate.
“You have all the tools to be successful,” Zittoun said. “You are ready.”
Superintendent Tom Moore was present to share words of wisdom with the graduating class. He remarked that today’s weather was not ideal, but life is not ideal.
“Don’t let things not going as they should be paralyze you with disappointment,” said Moore. “This isn’t ideal, but neither is life.” He went on to say that it is the student’s job to deal with life’s road bumps as they come along. “It’s going to rain sometimes. The clouds will move over. But it’s how you handle them that’s up to you.”
Jay Sarzen from the West Hartford Board of Education came with four main tips to share with the Class of 2015. “Never stop learning, trust but verify, let your ideas flourish, and constantly prove yourself,” said Sarzen. “You are all able to define your own success.”
The speeches were broken up by the Hall Alma Mater sung by the senior members of the Chorale.
Graduating senior Kathleen Keegan was chosen by her peers to be the student speaker. She told her peers that they have become successful because of their test scores, but that is not how life works.
“Life doesn’t test you in multiple choice. What life throws at you is completely unpredictable,” said Keegan. “How to live is something we must learn on our own.”
She credited her teachers at Hall for preparing herself and her classmates for life after high school, and said it their time to create their own success. “The vision of the right way to live is different for all of you,” said Keegan, addressing the Class of 2015. “My only advise is to do your thing with confidence.”
After Keegan left the podium, the senior Choraliers filled the bleachers for a rendition of David Bowie’s “Changes.”
Next, this year’s faculty speaker, Elizabeth Devine, took to the microphone. Devine said it is important for the students to notice where they stand in relation to the rest of the world. “Don’t just take the selfie,” said Devine. “Turn the camera around. Take the panorama.”
Devine left the crowd with a favorite quote of hers. The quote is from Buddah and states, “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
Following these wise words and sentiments, the Class of 2015 rose to receive their diplomas, an achievement they have been working for for years.
A list of graduates follows.
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The Hall High School Class of 2015 processes into the gymnasium. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High School Class of 2015 waits to receive their diplomas. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High’s Class of 2015 processing into the gymnasium for their graduation ceremony. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Students watch as their peers receive their diplomas. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High senior processing into the gymnasium for their graduation ceremony. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High faculty watches as students receive their diplomas. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
The crowd watches on as the senior Hall High Choraliers sing a rendition of David Bowie’s “Changes”. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High Class of 2015. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.
Hall High School Class of 2015:
Alaa Ahmed
Ashleigh Rose Albee
Devon Austin Aldave
Joshua Andrew Alicea
Danna Alnajjar
Antonia Grace Alquist
Janet Katherine Alquist
Ezequiel Ramon Alston
Alexis Sophia Alvarez
Melanie Ashley Alzamora
Gabriel David Amaya
Sydney Taylor Anderson
Marcus C. Apter
Max Aronow
Sean F. Aspell
Benjamin Carl Astrachan
Joshua J. Ayum
Alexander Baker
Cole George Baker
Sarah A. Baksh
Atul Banjara
Andrea Douglass Barrows
Sabrina L. Barrows
Owen Collier Barth
Eszter Bartis-Szabo
Michael Peter Barzach
Babina Basnet
Jake Parker Bauman
Timothy Michael Baxer
Jenna Rose Behan
Caroline FuRen Bemis
Hannah Louise Bennett
Michael J. Bennett
Scotia D Bent
Diane Valerie Berlinsky
Reid G. Beukeboom
Nathaniel Duke Bidwell
Corelli Xavier Bigenho
David Blakelock
Emily Constance Bobruff
Henry C. Boers
Joseph S. Bonee
Ethan Raymond Bravin
Leanne M. Brennan
Rachel L. Briganti
Hannah Isabel Brofsky
Michelle Elizabeth Brook
LeTaj Marquis D’mitri Brown
Christina Budzinski
Jason Allen Buehler
Samuel Andrew Bunin
William Thomas Burns
Ethan Russell Burstein
Francis Rossini Byrne
Isabella L. Caban
Peter Joseph Callahan, Jr.
Jacob Aaron Cantor
Katherine Marie Captain
John Thomas Cassidy
Ariela Jordyn Castagno
Carlos Maurizio Castillo
Alexx Bryana Chambers
Ku Alka Chand
Helen W. Chavey
Joshua David Cherny
Jamillette Sue Claudio
Jacob B. Cohen
Johnathan A. Cohen
Samantha E. Cohen
Mikaela Costello
Kathleen Rose Coursey
Taylor Elizabeth Coursey
Andre Dillon Courtois
Ryan Michael Cudemus-Brunoli
James Vincent Cudo
Miguel A. Cueva
Martine A. D’lubac
Sonia Dadlani
Katie E. Daglian
Brittany Samantha Daley
Benjamin Thomas Danehy
Vinh Hoang Dang
Armen Danielian
Laura M. David
Alyssa Briana Davis
Jerel Andre Lamar Davis
Thomas Davis
Rachel Emily Dembo
Olivia Di Poi
Desiree Graciela Diaz
Maria Anne DiBella
Michelle Youmans Dicke
Emily Grace DiMatteo
Jeslyn Anna Dinowitz
Haweya Mohamed Dirir
Samuel Christopher Dobbins
Shyliesh N. Donahue
Eva Rose Dougherty
Joseph Eric Draper
Gabrielle Hope Dresner
Savannah J. Dubay
Maxie-Lew Dunn
Thomas Clayton DuPuis
Tyquan Shaquar Eason
Nathan M Edelstein
Kaydean Dalas Elder-Brown
Antonio Victor Espinoza
Danielle Dulberg
Liam Thomas Evans
Febechukwu A. Eze
Pete Obinna Eze
Raymond M. Fagan
Isabella Anna Falkovich
Frank J. Fallon
Nicholas Francis Fernandez-Wolff
Schuyler E, Fica-Goetzel
Jessica Rose Figgie
Lindsay Jensen Finman
Callan Joseph Finn-McMahon
Jacob M. Fischman
George Tinsley Fiske
Mariah M Flash
Carley Verrengia Foto
Kevin Anthony Fox
Ian Mathew Frank
Alyssa Haley Freiman
Julia Coleman Fuller
Brian Gabow
Catherine I. Gadue
Casey Ilyse Gardner
Gianni Gardner
Madison E. Gaucher
Sydney Rose Gellerman
Sam Jacob Ghamo
Emma D. Gibson
Jason Joseph Gilbert
Sophia Margaret Glagovich
Stephanie Leah Gold
Leah Goldman
Stephanie Gomez
Kayla Patricia Alicia Gonzalez
Lani Cassandra Gordon
Mikayla Bryn Gordon-Wexler
Richard Joseph Gouldsbrough
Jacob H. Graber-Lipperman
Kathleen A. Graulich
Rachael W. Graves
Eleanor Margaret Gray
Benjamin Mauricio Gross
Kelly Ha
Thomas J. Hackett
Asia Marie Hamlin-Flood
Mahogany Sha’Nae Hardeman
Benjamin Jacob Harney
Carmen Corey Hatchell
Alexander Patrick Healy
Ian Philip Henderson
Tylisse Chanel Hightower
Gillian Rose Hixson
Tanner Woolson Hoelzel
Ingrid Milena Horisberger
Victoria E. Huerta
Carolynn Erin Humble
Ilana Nicole Humphries
Ogadinma Ikani
Guillermo Bernard Irizarry Lambright
Rebecca Izikson
Dana Allison Jacobs
Isiah Denzel Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson Jelly
Anastasija Jemeljanova
Kyle Coolidge Jeter
Donovan DeAndre Johnson
Caroline Lyudmilla Jones
Thomas Ivan Jones
Giovanny Enrique Jorrin
Martin Paul Kaehrle
Olivia Eden Kalsner Kershen
Noah Kantrowitz
Mark William Kasumba
Samuel Mitchell Katten
Miriam Katz
Umaimah Kazi
Kathleen Ann Keegan
Monica McElligott Keeley
Neil Ryland Kelley
Alexandra Emily Kennedy
David B. Kerzner
Kim Yen Thi Kha
Revekka A. Khaimova
Sabrina Khan
Emily Khirisy
Anissa Emiliana Kim
Ari J. Klau
Abigail Morgan Koch
Leah Isabel Kochen
Jonathan Perry Kochis
Artem Kovalchuk
Daniel Kunnel
Jasmine J. Kunnummel
Ian Kunsey
Griffin Lane
Nicole Lantigua
Joann Le
Ryan Thomas Leonard
Melissa Celia Levin
Hannah Rose Leyland
Gabriel Nadav Lichtenstein
Abigail Grace Linstone
Madeline Ann Linstone
Andrei Christopher Lioutikov
Alex JP Liu
Sonia Ames Livingston
Morgan Skyler Lloyd
Taylor Jean Lloyd
Malik Dante Loar-Reed
Thomas Lombardi
Rose M. Lopez
Owen T. Macca
Julia A. MacIntyre
Conner Robert Maggi
Madiha Mahmood
Elizabeth R. Maier
Mary Ciara Majerus-Collins
Sami Faris Malhas
Kelley B. Mantz
Victoria F. Martin
Jackson Eric Maxwell
Sydney Cardova May
Anna R. McClear
Ashley Marie McDonald
Patrick J. McHale
Simone Tanesha Melhado
Michelle Mesa
Tess Anne Michaud
Quinn Mitchell
Evan J. Molodetz
Mackenzie Rose Molodetz
Johan Lee Moni
Caroline Joy Monnes
John Joseph Monnes IV
Jack William Moore
Jonathan D. Morris
Connor P. Moss
Tajay D. Murdock
Christopher Shea Murphy
Shannon Nicole Murphy
Raymond Nguyen
Erin Mary O’Brien
Austin Brittany O’Connell
Grant R. O’Connor
Jeffny A. Pally
Gabriella Palmeri
Robert Javier Parra
Jessica B. Pasternack
Parth P. Patel
Jair A. Perez
Jatiyah S. Perez
Remony Celine Perlman
Naomi E. Perry
James Elliot Peterson
Elena Laurel Pevar
Serena Joy Phu
Andrea Rose Pinckney
Hunter Philip Pond
Anthony S. Poon
Kenny Fernando Puerta-Perez
Ajay Ralli
Lauren Beth Reiss
Jessica L. Riddle
Joshua Rodriguez
Kaitlin Nicole Rogers
Sarah Rollins
Sheyla Elisa Rosado
Eric Rosen
Dylan A. Rosenbaum
Abigail L. Rosenthal-Baxter
Amelia Elizabeth Rosenthal-Baxter
Amschel S. Rothschild
Rebecca S. Rothstein
Ezriel A. Routberg
Devan C. Roy
Maria Joana Rubert
Natalia Elise Ruiz
Morgane Angenette Russell
Patrick T. Russell
Apoorva T. Sajan
Elizabeth Rose Salzman-Fiske
Yelena V. Samofalova
Patricia Sanchez-Gonzales
Benjamin J. Sandstrom
Maegan Marie Sandy
James-Tristen Richard Sarnese
William Sombath Say
Kyle Ryan Schaff
Elisa Emelia Schuder
James Andrew Schuder
Justin Samuel Schwalbendorf
Hannah Ramsey Shafer
Viktor Shcheglov
Benjamin Ryan Sheridan
Daniel Grant Sheridan
Melanie Beth Sillman
Gabriella Rose Silverman
Nathan R. Silverman
Robert Edward Silverman
Joshua Andrew Singer
Chintan Kaur Singh
Shafinder Singh
Matthew Lawrence Skwiot
Eva Rose Small
Alyssa Beth Smith
Reilly Smith
Karlei Fidelis Soares
Steven Soto
Hayden Paul Souza
Kayla Victoria Staley
Clark Wilson Stan
Tyrone Chase Stewart
Eddie Eugene Swift III
Kevin Tang
Farukh F. Tashmuhamedov
Christine Katelyn Taylor
Kee Ana Frances-Marie Taylor-Crapps
Taylor Shae Teasley
Jody Marie Therieault
Yoshino Toi
Angel Rafael Torres, III
Amanda N. Touch
Kevin G. Tracy
Thao Minh T. Tran
Sana Trozic
Gabriella Fairbanks Tulchinsky
Samuel Joseph Turner
Griffin Evans Tyler
Ike Samson Oni Udeh
Isaac Ungar
Michele A, Vakman
David Alexander Van Doren
Shayla Trieu Vu
Nicolas Walker
Joshua W. Wallace
Stacy-Ann L. Wallen
Joshua Charles Weisenberg
Ryan Welch
Sophie M. Wheeler
Jerome J. Wiener
William Winstead Witter
William J. Wright
Claire Elizabeth Wyman
Guoankang Xue
Jason Yip
Paul Samuel Zeuschner
Michelle Zhang
Monica Zhang
Yuheng Zhang
Jackson Bernard Zinn- Rowthorn
Andrew John Zinzarella
Anna Maria Zinzarella
Adam M. Zmudzinski
Maria Elena Zugravu
