Newtown High School Midyear Graduation Ceremonies

By Eliza Hallabeck

Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais told the students seated on the NHS cafetorium’s stage that learning has no end.

At the Tuesday, February 7, Newtown High School Reception for the Completion of Graduation Requirements, he said, “Learning should not stop when you leave this school,” he said. “Learning should really start. You really only have the basics right now, and all of your learning is going to happen beyond this.”

He told the students to look at every experience that comes as a learning experience, before giving his congratulations to the students for their accomplishments.  Ten of the 18 graduating students attended the ceremonies.

When graduating NHS student Rebecca Greenawalt spoke her fellow graduates and their assembled family and friends, she said they were there to celebrate the students that chose to work harder and finish school within three and a half years instead of the traditional four years.

“We made our sacrifices,” Rebecca said, “moving classes and taking a heavier course load than most this past semester, and are temporarily leaving our peers to fulfill other goals.”

Rebecca also said she hopes to see her fellow  graduates at the end of the school year when the traditional graduation events will be held.

Graduates Alicia Paliotti and Lauren Maccharoli listed the things they will miss most from their time as high school students when they spoke during the reception, from the teachers to the experiences they had along the way. The pair also gave thanks during their remarks.

“We would like to thank [Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson] and the Board of Education for supporting our program,” said Alicia, a member of The Afternoon Program (TAP), along with multiple of the her fellow graduates.

“TAP gives you a second chance,” said Lauren.

Following the speakers, students walked across the stage, greeted by a line of faculty and administrators, and each received a yellow tulip as a symbol of their accomplishment.

The graduates were listed in a program for the night as Daniel Aurelia, Kristina Browning, Emily Dion, Erin Ferris, Daniel Fisher, Michael Fitzsimmons, Kayla Green, Carlie Gehrman, Rebecca Greenawalt, Tyler Hoffman, Alfonso Kinic, Lauren Maccharoli, Alicia Paliotti, Stephanie Schubert, Alyssa Wade, Joseph Warner-Crouch, Matthew Wielebinski, and Sara Yarosis.

A slideshow of photos from the event is available with this story at www.newtownbee.com.