At West Hartford’s Conard High School’s 67th commencement ceremony on June 10, 2024, the Class of 2024 gathered together one final time to celebrate all they’ve accomplished.

By Bridget Bronsdon. Photos by Ronni Newton

The future couldn’t be brighter for the Conard High School class of 2024 and as the students, now alumni, moved their tassels and threw their decorated and bedazzled caps Monday night, they officially stepped into the next phase of their lives. What began as an unusual freshman year full of COVID tests and online classes is now a closed chapter after four years of friends, family, hard work, and resilience at Conard. 

As the famous saying goes, “days are long but the years are short,” and as Class President Kris Rimal said, “In the blink of an eye, here we are.” While the graduates sat in the evening breeze surrounded by adoring friends, family, and faculty, they were at the cornerstone of their adult lives. Every early ride to school, carpool to practice, long rehearsal, tough test, and time spent studying had led them to this moment, a peak of success. As the graduates sat in the early summer sun, Rimal encouraged everyone to take a moment and applaud themselves, each other, and their victories. 

Interim Principal Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble was the first faculty member to the podium and showered the graduates with words of wisdom one final time before they became alumni. While she encouraged the students to find a supportive and encouraging circle of peers, learn from those who are different, and to continually follow opportunities to learn in “the grand classroom of life,” she also gave the graduates some of the simplest, yet most meaningful advice:“Be kind.” 

“Be the person who uplifts others, who lends a hand without expecting anything in return, and understands the profound impact of a kind word or gesture,” she said as she encouraged the young adults to “lead with kindness.” 

After Tamborello-Noble’s thoughtful advice, Superintendent Paul Vicinus drew inspiration from the recent 80-year anniversary of D-Day to inspire the graduates. His theme fell on four simple yet important ideals spoken by former President Ronald Regan over four decades ago – faith, belief, loyalty, and love. 

“As I look upon you, the Class of 2024, I wonder, in what do you place your faith, your belief, how deep does your loyalty run and what passions have captured your love?” Vicinus asked the graduates. 

“Be true to beliefs, be true to your loved ones and be true to yourself. Demonstrate loyalty to those things that you love – your ideals, your morals, and those you care for. Set your sights high to those things that are your dreams, your mountains to scale and let no obstacle deter you from that passionate purpose. And if you stumble on your path, get up, check your bearing and continue to climb,” he said. 

“Faith, belief, loyalty and love.” Vicinus repeated, “They are yours for the taking. Pick them up. Go forth and dare to change the course of history,” he finished. 

After capturing the graduates’ minds and spirits, Board of Education member LaToya Yagaloff told the students she felt as if she was graduating with them. Yagaloff said that she’d never worn the traditional cap and gown nor had the opportunity to walk across the stage because she graduated from both high school and college early.

Yagaloff went on to praise the graduates’ acceptance, love, inclusion, and resilience. “It was your generation that started to re-simplify concepts adults over complicated. You taught us to respect you for who you are and identify with you in the ways that mattered to you,” she said. 

Yagaloff continued to sing the graduates’ praises. “You saw violence, and injustice and you were inspired to raise your voices, create inspiring art and media and lead unapologetically. One of the things I respect and admire most about you is that you don’t over politicize humanity and you care about our planet.” 

Lastly, she gave the students the secret to something special – success.

“While success is measured in different ways like wealth, status, and power I urge you to view your success as something that blossoms as a result of the seeds of kindness, compassion, selflessness, thoughtfulness and love are planted. If your words or actions can inspire someone to forgive, put a smile on the face of a person who felt hopeless or shift a community to take a stand on what is right! … Then my friends you have found success,” she finished. 

After her speech, Yagaloff was finally – and unexpectedly – given the special and long awaited opportunity to walk across the stage. 

With the students’ own anticipation of walking across the stage nearing closer, the senior choir members took to the risers to perform a touching rendition of “Rivers and Roads.” Grads and loved ones listened intently as the choir sang lyrics that hit close to home reading “a year from now we’ll all be gone.”

Despite the changes that were soon approaching for the graduates, they still had a chance to hear from each other. The first student speaker, Ahmad Mohamad Al Khoudeir, spoke of his remarkable journey, which began in Syria where he was born. 

“While most people envision childhood as a time filled with joy and happiness, mine was different. The landscape of my childhood was marked by adversity and characterized by the backdrop of violent conflicts,” he said. 

Al Khoudeir then explained how his parents and five siblings fled Syria to Lebanon to pursue their right to an education. While in Lebanon, Khoudeir attended school, worked alongside his father at his painting business, and watched as his mother finally received her high school diploma 15 years after being taken out of school. 

“Both of my parents sacrificed their own interests in exchange for us getting a good education and pursued the rare opportunity of getting to come to the United States,” Al Khoudeir said, and upon arriving in West Hartford in November, he quickly seized the opportunity to apply to college. 

Above all, Al Khoudeir focused on the importance of education, since it was once something taken away from him. 

“Education offers a profound and somewhat elusive chance for many. Knowledge arms us to meet challenges and become the critical thinkers we need to be to pursue future goals. A smart person learns from their mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others. My mom wisely advised that people should seize the advantage of schooling in their life. Since in life tests come first demanding sacrifices, then lessons follow, whereas in school, lessons precede tests, equipping us with the knowledge to overcome challenges,” he said. 

The final student speaker, Serena Ritter van der Hulst, then offered a question to her classmates. “I challenge you all with this question: what does it really mean to waste time? I would like to argue that no time is time wasted, it is simply time spent,” she said. 

While van der Hulst explained her decision between choosing between her passion, dance, and a more “practical” choice, computer science, and then changing her mind to pursue exercise science, she argued that it wasn’t time wasted. 

“Throughout my high school experience I was consumed by the idea of maximizing my time – you know, making the most of every moment and living life to its fullest. I was convinced all hours spent procrastinating, or even resting lacked value. I could not have been more wrong. One cannot assign a certain value to a moment in time,” she said. 

“I implore you all to adapt this open mindset ahead of time and find value in everything that you do, regardless of how insignificant it may appear at the moment. Leave with the understanding that any way you use your time will be time well spent,” she finished.

Sasha Belabe translated Hulst’s speech into American Sign Language. 

After inspiring words from their classmates, Samuel Eurich, the choir teacher, was chosen to give the faculty address and was the final speaker standing in between the ceremony and the long-awaited walk across stage. 

Eurich not only admired his students’ passions but applauded them. At a time when they were freshmen, when students weren’t even allowed to sing or much less stand next to each other, Eurich recalled how they remained headstrong and resilient in their passions and encouraged the graduates to always do so. 

At last, the students walked across the stage, moved their tassels, tossed their caps, and became alumni. Now standing on the doorstep of their future, the class of 2024 has officially closed the Conard chapter of their journey. Now, they’re off to do big things!

Congratulations Conard class of 2024! 

A complete list of the Conard Class of 2024 can be found below the photos.

Conard High School Class of 2024 (list provided by Conard High School)

Kevin Yamil Abreu

Juan Antonio Acevedo

Carmel  Adhikari

Fatma N.  Akcay

Ahmad Mohamad Al Khoudeir

Hala Ibrahim Aldabaan

Miguel Angel Algarin

Mohammad Nawaf Al-Hazaimeh

Samuel Lucas Almeida

Jahki Quran Anderson

Jonathan David Anderson

Bryan Silva Andrade

Riley Rose Andrews

Noah Jackson Armstrong

Dante Leonard Arroyo

Grant Harrison Arruda

Talia Maya Asal

Sabine Lily Ashworth

Varvara  Atsian

Jazlyn Renasia Banks

Logan Adam Robbie Banks

Gavin Maxwell Barbagallo

Anastasia Stefania Batisko

Lillyana Marie Bazzano

Cheyenne Elizabeth Beganski

Sasha Grace Belabe

Dominic Georgievich Belyaev

Cooper David Ben-Kiki

Storm Dakota Bentley

Katherine Anne Bernard

Mailina Janese Betsey-Chambers

Viha Ashish Bhatt

Sawyer Mackay Bloom

Riley Christopher Blum

Samuel Raphael Bomzer

Grace Margaret Bond-McKirdy

Marquise Timothy Boomer, Jr.

Ava Elizabeth Bradford

Fynn Keagan Braiewa

Owen Patrick Brennan

Luca Phoenix Brites

Aidan Timothy Brunetti

Tyler James Buccilli

Jayden C. Buckley

Enyce Sincer Burgor

Alexander John Burtness

Silas  Capps-Hawkins

Joseph Christopher Carbone

Iriliz Marie Cardona

Naviah Bell Carrero

Charlotte Patricia Case

William Ethan Chapman

Sophia  Chen

Michael  Chiu

Oliver T.  Choflet

Chidera Gabriella Chukwura

Michael Steven Cicchetti

Zoe Victoria Clarke

Elijah Paul Clymer

Vincent David Collard

Tai Josefino A. Kachwaha Comiso

Isabella Sara Consoli Cespedes

Nathanael Aiden Corona

Taleyna Tai’ana Craig

Charles William Culbert

Peyton Michelle Cunha

Da’Shawn Jamariah Cushnie

Anna Elizabeth Daigle

Alexa Newport Daly

Evan Matthew Danyliw

Hilary Liselle Davis

Nicholas Clark Davis

Danielle-Joe Melissa Dawidowicz

Jacob Omar De La Vega

Julia Rosemary Deane

Rachel Lynn Deka

Kelly Larsen Delaney

Brendan David Denault

Noёl Martine Denault

Adam Stuart Desmarais

Kevin Paul DeStefano

Daniela Michelle Diaz

Genesis  Diaz

Danielle Kelley DiGiacomo

Gabrielle Louise Dipombe

Adam Arturo Disla

Benjamin James Dollar

John Henry Doyle

Jayden  Du

Grace Walker Dube

Finnegan Nathan Duffy

Jack Brian Eddy

Santana Jose Edwards

Landon Trent Edwards-Scoville

Aiden Jason Emery

Jonathan Lee Exum

Gurrie Anthony Fandozzi

Connor James Farrell

Stephanie Enid Feliciano

Joshua Joy Fernandes

Jose Miguel Figueroa

Andrew Charles Filotto

Emily Grace Fleischmann

Lillian Doyle Fletcher

Tyler Hutchinson Fleury

Bryan L  Flor

Riley John Fox

Kam’Ron Jermaine France

McKenzie Rose Franklin

Jahnnaya Tasia Frater

Shawn Gabriel Fuller

Brielle Grace Ganci

Sirina  Garba

Jonathan Samuel Garcia

Malachi Kyleek Garrett

Christopher S.  Gaston

Daniel Frank Geary

Rihana  Ghimire

Paul Robert Glotzer

Kishon T. Glover

Oliver Henry Goldstein

Cielo Calderon Gomez

Julius Gregoreo Goode

Megan Nicole Gordon

William Harris Gregware

Emma Johanna Grimmer-Solem

Lilly Marilynn Grose

Ana Lara  Guimaraes Pinheiro

Nicholas Stanley Gupta

Donna  Gurung

Analise  Guzman

Payton L.  Guzman

Rachel Leah Haimes

Nicholas Brian Hall

Benjamin Patrick Hammond

Lauren Michelle Hardesty

Benjamin David Hardman

Jane Sitterly Harhay

Julian Christopher Hartland

Raage Mukhtar Hassan

Jayson Karnel Hernandez

Sierrah Ilianey Hernandez

Amanda Prince Hetrick

Kelly Thi Ho

Truong Quang Ho

Bryn Rose Huber

Lexandra Nicole Huertas

Keely Elizabeth Hughes

Jeremy Scott Hunt

Lindsay Jordan Intagliata

Anna  Isufi

Blake Lincoln Ittleson

Katherine Marie Jakubowski

Nora Marija Jalinskas

Carlos Isaias Jaquez-Felix

Keira Elizabeth Jennings

Claire Katherine Johnson

Bruce Edward Lansing Jones

Alexis M. Jovet

Diya Jignesh Kalaria

John Anthony Kane

Neev  Kanwar

Viktor Jameson Karotkin

William Arthur Keever

Amanda Elizabeth Kelly

Radha  Khadka

Emmett G. Khan

Deebisha  Khatiwada

Benjamin Joseph Kline

Nathan James Kluskiewicz

Jack Tierney Kopka

Evelyn Hill Kornbluh

Veide Danette Krisst

Megan Brooke Kristofak

Maximiliano  Laborde

William McKinley Ladd

Nathaniel Alan Larkin

Evan Loh Lawrence

Brenda Ngocnhu Le

Benjamine Johnnie Leaphart

Adama Fatou Lette

Mackenzie Emily Licht

Janessa Marie Lopez

Louiyie  Lopez

Sabian Xavior Lopez

Bao Lam  Luu

Olivia Christina Lynch

Owen Edward Macdonald

Setareh  Mafaher

Kate Teresa Maglio

Hayden Riley Mallach

Emma R. Marcella

Kerri-Ann Audrey Marshall

Justin Rex Martin

Kiera Ashinye Martin

Tomas Felipe Martin

Talia Celestina Matthews

Mia Ariana Mayuri

Emily Grace Mazzatto

Ethan Beaudry McCue

Isabella Rose McCusker

Peter Matthew McGoldrick

Gavin John McGrath

Benjamin Lucas McIlhoney

Emily Victoria Medeiros-DeSouza

Solimar  Medina

Adam Armando Mendoza

Ellin Rose Messina

Catherine Elizabeth Midura

Maxwell William Milburn

Anton Douglas Milne

Arran John Milne

Connor Thomas Minahan

Megan Faviana Miranda-Corvalan

Sofia Ann Mongillo

Charles E. Moore III

Chloe Abigail Moran

Sean Luke Morley

Elin Beatrice Morris

Lila Bo Moshka

Rune Seamus Killian Moyer

Miles Sullivan Moynihan

William Brooks Moynihan

Janaina Rachell Munoz Cardenas

Sofia Deborah Muslim

Henry Nicholas Nace

Diya  Nair

Divine Shanelle Nelson

Binh-An Phuc Nguyen

Jessica  Nguyen

Jessica Xuan-Mai Nguyen

Lily Marie Nguyen

Trong Phu Nguyen

Ty Phu Nguyen

Amanda Isabel Noa Maisonet

Lillian Gale Norton

Giselle  Ntiamoah-Larbi

David James O’Connor

Shakira Carmela Ogountola

Emily Brooke O’Keefe

Matthew Christopher Oriola

Bruno Andres Ortiz Alvarez

Nelson Eduardo Ortiz Silveira

Jojo  Painter

Amanda Grace Palisi

Maia Grace Palmer

Shreya  Pant

Nicholas Robert Peter Paolitto

Theodoros Theo Paschoudis

Arya Raju Patel

Nehan J Patel

Vansh Raju Patel

Kee La  Paw

Denitsa Oleg Peneva

Amanda Knipp Pereira

Derek Javian Perez

Alexander John Petit

Isabella Rose Pham

Uyen Bao  Pham

Nico  Phu

Mason Albert Pia

Evan Anthony Piccioli

Anish  Pokhrel

Aidan Richard Policelli

Geneo Irase Posley

Maxwell Thomas Potts

Morgan Moy Prestage

Annabel Grace Probolus

Sofiea  Pun

Dominic Joseph Quirk

Jordan Alexander Ramirez

Emanuel Abel Ramirez Asmat

Emily Paige Rankin

Christopher Alton Rauch

Broderic Hugh Reese

Nathan Tyler Refici

Pratiush  Regmi

Kris  Rimal

Danishka Angelique Rivera

Eric David Rivera

Ailani  Roach

Christopher J. Roberts

Morgan Harper Robinson

Tegan Catherine Rochford

Adrianna Gennise Rodowicz

Heally Beth Rodriguez

Jodalyz Ivette Rodriguez

Nevaeh J. Rodriguez

Tomas Malik Rodriguez

Isabella Marie Roy

Grace Laura Rubino

Gabriella M. Ruff

Reynaldo  Ruiz

Meryl Jean Rung

Evan Alexander Russell

Clare Marie Ryor

Zachary Robert Saguisag

Jonathon B. Samid

Alexandra Ledee Santana

Emma Kate Santangelo

Alessia Catherine Sardilli

Lilliana Catherine Sardilli

Andrew Thatcher Sarzen

Robert Trung Scanlon

Eleanor M. Schaefer

Astrid Eileen Schnabel

Julian Robert Schneider

Jaydon A. Schuler

Patrick James Schulz

Colin James Scrimgeour

Aidan Merle Scully

Amalia Marie Seedman

Garrett James Selstad

Daniel Richard Semerjian

Jaiden Isaiah Serrano

Safina Andrea Shakeel

Zahed Ahmad Shams

Matthew Michael Siegel

Sadie Hart Sindland

Aaron Kenyon Sisk

Zoe Elizabeth Slap

Susan Elizabeth Smith

Yanyra Lucia Smith

Gabriel Andres Sosa

Gavin Edward Sparkowski

Seth Richard Spaulding

Eva Hope Speranza

Lucas Timothy Steadman

Nicole Celestine Strong

Lucy McLean Sturm

Ryan Santos Sultanum

Sophie Jessica Sumner

Madelyn Grace Sweeney

Thomas Albert Tamborello Noble

Kristina Marie Taylor

Mariana Calderon Temponi

Haidee  Thai

James Joseph Thibault

Josiyah Naeem Khali Thomas

Miguel Angelo Mattos Tizoco

Kathryn Marie Torla

Kimberly Dennise Torres

Thaynalee  Torres

Delaney Elizabeth Towey

Seamus Laroy Tracy

Vincent T. Trang

Nolan Russell Trent

The Khang  Truong

Arlo  Tucker

Eyan Joseph Turner

Nicholas Bradley Ucci

Serena Ritter van der Hulst

Leo Jefferson Vanags

Ethan Yanil Vazquez

Joshua L. Vazquez

Jadalise Sonia Vega

Jeremy Luis Vega

Rocco Joseph Vernile

Aniyah Janae Walker

Maya Sophie Wallace

Devin Nathaniel Walters-Murphy

Sean Anthony Weber

Ben Helge Weiler

Zoe Mae Weissman

Alessandra Marika Welz

Tyler Maxwell West

James Neal Whitty

Damian Andrzej Wiktor

Anthony Eric Williams

Gracelyn Marie Williams

Terrence Lamar Williams

Sienna Jade Mary Wynn

Taylor Rose Yepes

Alycia Soria Zahn

Lillian Rose Zimmer

Lily Ann-Marie Zucks

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