533 graduate from Norwich Free Academy
Stonington - An incident last Friday not only changed Haley Barravecchia's graduation speech but also her outlook on life.
Barravecchia, the Stonington High School senior class president, was trapped in her car after a crash on Route 78 and said she saw her life pass before her eyes before she blacked out. "I thought it was over. I wouldn't be at graduation today," she told her fellow 171 graduates who gathered on the football field for Thursday night's commencement ceremony. When she regained consciousness in the hospital, she said she heard doctors and nurses whispering about whether she was "the Route 78 girl" and how they thought she didn't make it. "We all have to value what we have because it could be gone in an instant," she said while standing before her classmates. "Life is precious." "Whatever you want to do, go and do it. Don't let anything stop you," she told her classmates. Barravecchia, who will attend Belmont University, said she may have to give up some things because of her injuries. "But I won't let that stop me. We all have things in our way. Don't let that stop you." Salutatorian John Dong said he still does not know what he wants to be in life, but there are a lot of things he would like to try for a day, such as being an Aeropostale model, a rapper or the leader of North Korea. He said teachers have always told students they can be whatever they want, but he said that's not true. "I can try as long as I want, and I won't get pregnant," he joked. "We are limited in what we can do, but our possibilities outweigh the limitations," said Dong, who will attend New York University. Class speaker Abby Gibney, who is retiring as a physical education teacher and coach after 42 years, had asked seniors what life lessons they had learned at the high school and what they wanted to hear in her speech. She used those as the focus of her remarks. The one students mentioned over and over was that hard work pays off, she said. "I'm glad to see that," she said. She left graduates with the email or text she sends her two grown children in Colorado every day: "Have fun, stay safe and I love you." Valedictorian Matthew Fields, who will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, poked fun at all the cliches used in graduation speeches but ended using some of them by the end of his remarks. On a more serious note, he told the students that while Stonington High School is a great school, their experiences at the school will not earn them any special treatment anywhere else. "You have to be determined enough to add experiences to your resume," he said. "Go out and do what you want to do and make the experiences at Stonington High School mean something. What you and I have to do is be special on our own." j.wojtas@theday.com STONINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2014: Leonardo Aguirre III, Chelsea Alfonso, Andrew James Armstrong, Jillian Elizabeth Avery, Haley Marie Barravecchia, Zachary James Bazydlo, Erica Veronica Beebe, Alexis Savanna Best, Alyssa Cheyenne Best, Tessianna Melo Bettencourt, Michaela Lee Elise Blair, Daniel Mellor Bockowski, Julia Kristine Boisoneau, Emily Kate Brainard, Rebecca Victoria Antoinette Brand, Katherine Anne Brandon, Megan Nicole Briggs, Rachael Marie Brown, Benjamin Eric John Bundesmann, Emanuel Harry Calmar, Santos Antonio Caraballo, Emily Grayce Cassata, Kyle Michael Cavanaugh, Margaux Manon Chamoux, Quinten William Chandonnait, Madison Olivia Chaney, Isaac Andrew Chase, Daniel Eaton Chevalier, Forrestt Ryan Clucas, Falicia Dawn Colprit, Evan George Conlon, Andrew John Cordeiro, Celeste Colleen Courtney, Emily Anne Craig, Caitlin Mackenzie Creedon-Booth, Victoria Jade Cullen, Cole Andrew Curtis, Heaven Leigh Datino, Daniel Arthur DeDominicis, Adrian Lucius DePietro, Charles Joseph Dipollino III, John Francis Dipollino, Helené Olivia Donahue, Jefferson Ladd Donath, John Dong, Devin Harrison Douton, Ryan Angelo Duguay. Collin Matthew Esquirol, Gabrielle Elenor Fabian, Ashley Stegdra Facey, Edward Martin Farrell III, Kassia Quinn Faulise, Conor James Ferguson, Matthew Evan Fields, Wyatt Romano Floyd, Danielle Kristen Foley, Ryan James Francis, Morgan Tyler Gagne, Nicholas Robert Galli, Laura Catherine Gallicchio, Michelle Elizabeth Garvey, Giorgio Graham Genovesi IV, Dale Clifford George, Holly Anne Gienau, Connor George Gilbert, Kyle Christopher Gillick, Makaella Briones Glaza, Samuel David Godfrey, Emily Green, Emily Angeline Grey, Peter James Grills, Thomas William Gross, Paige Elizabeth Hackney, Taylor Maureen Hackney, Elizabeth Ann Hall, Jamie Elizabeth Hayes, Jane Anna Hefel, Mia Alyssa Henningsen, Jamie Danielle Hines, Lauren Taylor Hultgren, Graham Edward Hutter, Heather Rose Jackson, Rachyl Elisabeth Jackson, Kara Lyn Jones, Henry James Kaczman, Theresa Susan Kane, Sierra Christine Keeley, Kelsey Hannah Kelleher, Anne Elizabeth Knizeski. Tia Sheniya LaFrance Boyce, Aiyanna Sepeyeonk Lamphere, Sarah Elizabeth Loson, Joseph Lawrence Luketich, Ariana Marie Magowan, Gwyneth Ann Mahoney, Alissa Maché Malhoit, Christian Alexandra Marshall-Jones, Erik Joseph Martell, Amethyst Lynne Maynard, Shenice Ann McCarthy, Andrew Alan McCauley, Marlena Rae McCue, Rachel Sybille McGinn, Charlotte Eve McSweeney, Savy Maurice Meach Jr., Makenzy Louise Merritt, Morgan Rose Miller, Jakob William Miner, Lydia Mae Miner, Edward Joseph Mitchell III, Elizabeth Rosemary Morrison, Drew Mackie Morse, Zack Albert Mueller, Valerie Ann Müller, Laina Muroni, Austin Lee Myers, Caitlin Esther Near, Joel Hawley Nelson Jr., Brianna Michele Nolan, Claire Marie Nordness, Akásha Teccawitha Northup. Meg Alyce O'Lari, Alexander James Orf, Nirali B. Patel, Pooja M. Patel, Jaylen Alberto Payne, Selena Marie Perry, Joseph Tyler Peterson, Cassy Rae Plowchalk, Zachary Philip Poirier, Lyndsay Mary Faith Pratt, Austyn Bradley Provost, Emily Elizabeth Prue, Paige Connie Pyles, Megan Alexandra Roberts, Breana Nicole Robinson, William McCullough Robinson, Nicholas James Rosa, Karlie Elizabeth Rose, Austin David Rosenberg, Ryan Storrs Russ, Nicholas Dean Ryan, Miranda Jean Schlachter-Hall, Ethan Robert Schroeder, Douglas David Schweid, James William Shabarekh Jr., Caitlyn Elizabeth Shaw, Kyle Michael Shea, Samantha Mary Aleda Shroyer, Quinn Elyse Slocum, Drew Jordan Solomon, Riley Patrick Sorrento, Garrett William Spicer, Kyle Robert Srednicki, Thomas William St. Rock, Max Avery Steinmetz, Francis Holt Sternberg, Bridget Margaret Stover, David Byron Swenarton, Jared Michael Thibault, Amanda Frances Thomas, Tiffany Tieu, Bradley Seth Turner IV, Virginia Caroline Louise Verde, Rochelle Wang, Avery Corbin Wells, Chelsea Nicole Wheeler, Caleb Michael Whewell, Divante Derrick White, Megan Elizabeth Wilkins, Elizabeth Anne Windle, Steven Floyd Zelepos.
The Norwich Free Academy Class of 2014
Breana Nicole Adams, Zhané Alexandria Adams, Videlinee Alexis, Stephanie Deborah Alice, Bryan José Alicea Nazario, Kelsy Paola Almonte Arvelo, Brenda Almonte Garcia, Nicole Almonte-Mateo, Zahra Amiri, Kobe Marcellous Amos, Kendrick Jamall Amy, Laura Beth Ander, Thomas J. Anderson, Zachary Tyler Andosca, Robert Donald Angle, Assiah Azaleah Antonetti, Dennis Alexander Arias, Rebecca Toby Arpin, Joshua Allyn Aubin;
Margaret Rose Babb, Susan Irene Babb, David Lee Badgett, Zachery Michael Bagge, John Allen Baldino, Joseph David Ballestrini, Gary Anthony Ballinger, Jenny Ellen Banta, Heather Lynn Barber, Timothy Aaron Barber, Shylia Mikelle Barnes, Susana Melisa Barragan, Rheanna Shay Basley, Isaac Ray Bassham, Elizabeth Jacqueline Baton, Kimberly Mercedes Bautista, Alexander Robert Beaudreault, DeVonte Melik Belin, Matthew Albert Belmont, Madeline Leah Bennett, Nixon Djino Bernard, Kaitlyn Renee Betancourt, Daniel John Bilda, Brittany Ann Biller, Emily Andrea Black, LeeAnn Jean Black, Diana Lee Blais, Kyle William Blake, Morgan Leigh Blake, Timothy John Bobbin, Justin David Bohara, Trevor James Bolstridge, Kayla Lynn Bonomi, Sadie May Boone, Precious Aprill Bowe, Patrick Robert Boyle, Brianne Frances Brennan, Daniel John Briggs, Noah Tyler Briggs, Colby Alexander Britt, Kie'Andra Anai Britto-Sebastian. Nathan Patrick Brockett-Smith, Stefanie Jeannine Bromley, Anna Lee Brown, Hunter Douglas Browning, Jahlil Tyree Bryant, Victoria Elizabeth Burgess, Brielle ShaVonne Burns, Stephen Michael Burroughs, Courtney Elizabeth Burton, Milagro Eli Butler;
Erin Ivy Eileen Calhoun, Jasmin Campos-Sanchez, Megan Ellen Cannon, Diana Gabriela Carbajal, Aldana Carlosviza-Torres, Sean Raymond Carney, Jamie Louise Carrell, Zachary Elias Carter, Ty Santos Caruso, Melissa Lisette Castillo, Steven Lee Castleberry, Nicholas Edward Ceccarelli, Travis Christopher Cellucci, Derrick Chen, Audrey Sumyi Cheng, Jean Herby Cherisme, Michaela Elisabeth Chilcote, Jared Michael Chinigo, Samantha Taylor Chinigo, Amanda Ha Choi, Sea Heil David Chun Wu, Matthew Alan Church, Jordan Wayne Churchill, Allison Paige Cilley, Miranda Rosanne Cirrito, Amanda Lynn Ciufecu, Erica Lynn Claman, William H. Claman III, Justina Marie Clarke, Christine Alyssa Cocheo, Cameron John Coffey, Stephanie Diane Collins, Melinda Ashley Converse, Walker Thomas Cook, Nicholas Tyler Coons, Dyi'mond Nhi-Stazia Corbin, Jonathan Patrick Corcoran, Jared Brandon Cormier, Nicole Mary Cormier, Nicole Leigh Coughlin, Tessa Nicole Cournoyer, Aaron Michael Couture, Nicole Lisa Craig, Steven Michael Craney, Cassidy Katlyn Crawford, Nicholas Crooks, Josian Manuel Cruz, Rogui Cruz, Anna Belle Curry;
Jorge Bayardo Dabdoub, Anfernee Dae'Quann Dancy, Wendy Cylena Darragh, Christelle Dauphin, DaVonté Davis, Michael Alan Davis, Adimilson Barros De Pina, Leonardo Del Rosario, Jennifer Antoinette DelCore, Desmond Milon D'Elia-Miller, Phaydra Delmas, Michael Thomas DePolito, Jr., Brandon Patrick Deveny, Emily Jessica DeVito, Zachary B. Diacetis, Amanda Joy DiFrancesca, Joseph John DiGangi, Kailyn Rose Dimalanta, Anthony Mason DiPietro, Mikayla Muriel DiStasio, Shane T. Dixon, Winfred Maurice Dixon, Mikaella Donna Dombrowski, Meagan Leigh Dorsey, Deion Jorge Dos Santos, Jessica Elisabeth Drake, Taylor Patricia Driggers, Curt James DuBois, Christien Thomas Ducharme, Angelina Denise Duddie, Shenider Dufort, Brandon Alexander Duncan, Lawrence Joseph Ejchorszt, Jr., Damian Phillip Ellis, Anna Madison Estrada, Emmanuella Roberta Etienne, Tevonte Juan Evangelista, Elise Ann Evans, Jonathan Kane Eyberse;
Sarah Nicole Falman-Florez, Jiani Fang, Samantha Jean Farland, Sean Laurence O'Toole Feeney IV, Tatyanna Nichele Fernandez, Nina Rose Finley, John Henry Joseph Finnell III, Rachel Lee Fish, Jaime Leigh Fisher, Taibah Fisher, Jeffrey Allyn Fitch, Christopher Ladd Fleming, Kaylee Ashtyn Flowers, Amy Lynn Fontaine, Samuel Steevenson Fontilus, Korrie Leigh Ford, Pourche' Candace Foreman, Azeris Rain Fowler, Joseph David Frenier, Caela Marie Friese, Alexander Wells Frost, Brooke Marie Fulcher, Jesus Gabriel Garcia, Mark Vernon Gardner, Sarah Rose Gardner, Edward Sebastion Gates, Jonah Abraham Geligoff, Chance Allen Gendron, Julia Shea Genest, Patricia Luvelly Georges, Kyle Everett Gervais, Jazzlynn Lee Gilot, Lucas Lawrence Girard, Nicole Cherie Gladue, Shyanne Mary Gocka, Michael Edward Gootkin, Alaina Gabriella Goulart, Tyra Selene Grace, Allison Catherine Grant, Mariah Kim Jee Mee Gravelin, Calvin Sharrod Walter Green, Dontae James-William Greenaway, Mathias Soiki Gribbin, Melissa Ann Griffes, Mitchell George Grillo, Janiece Elizabeth Grimes, Jairo Alfonso Guzman;
Angela Maree Haller, Addison Randall Hamby, Hallie Ann Hamby, Zara Tara Hanif, Jakob Arnold Hartikka, Aaron Marc Hebert, Ashley Marie Hebert, Tristen Raquel Heller, Abdiel Alejandro Hernandez-Mercado, Pamela Michelle Hernandez-Mercado, Kayla Tyra Hicks, Jason Lee Hill, Jessie Marie Hill, Makenna Marie Hill, Sarah Elizabeth Hillyer, Luke O'Connor Hindle, Rachel Lauryn Hodges, Lauren Jessica Hodkinson, Courtney Kristen Holland, Trevon James Holland, Shania Sue Homiski, Nicholas Anthony Houle, Kelsey Anne Houlihan, Jazmyn Lorraine Houtman, Rosario Huamani Carpio, Carmen Jia-Min Huang, Yifan Huang, Michelle Mei Chang Hung, Phillip Michael Hyman, Jeffrey Martin Hynds, Jessica Patricia Hynds, Ashley Marie Jackson, Ludwrig Jacquet, Austin William James, Serena Paige Johnson, Seth David Johnson, Ki'ari Angel Shade' Johnson-Claudio, Geneva Aliyha Jones, Harmony Briana Jones, Kalyn Dae Jones, Molly Elizabeth Jones, Timothy Gilbert Jorsz, Richard Dale Joseph, Hayley Marie Joyal, Jordan Cecilia Joyal, Jennifer Lu Jules;
Bridget Catherine Kaiser, Natalie Mae Kaplan, Aidan Jeffrey Karam, Nicholas Allen Kasem-Beg, Tyler Morgen Keith, Marina Habbib Kelada, Kaitlyn Morgan Kelly, Ramsha Waseem Khan, Colleen Joan King, Alexandra Leeann Kobelski, Forrestt Miller Krug, Renée Monique LaChance, Lily Elyse Lachapelle, Alexandra Kimberly Ladd, Nicholas James Ladyga, Jeremy Christian LaFerriere, Killian Marja Laffey, Ryan Eugene LaFleur, Brianna Christine Lamonda, Alexandra Laura LaSaracina, Olivia Katherin Lattimore, Miranda Jude-Marie Lauture, Meghan Elizabeth Lavallee, Connor William LeBlanc, Francis Rutherford Lee, Christian Adam Lefebvre, Joseph Michael Lefebvre, Stephanie Pauline Lefebvre, Lindsay Ann Lefrancois, Schyler Lindsay Lemaire, Jessica Katherine Leone, Camden Addison Levine, Jessie Junyi Lew, Moira Gonzales Lewerk, Chelsea Ann Lewis, Zhi Jian Liang, Andrea Milagros Llerena Donayre, Percy Andree Llerena Donayre, Hannah Elizabeth Long, Brandon Loo, Katherine Elanis Lopez, Emma Corinne Lotreck, Erin Margaret Lounsbury, Adrianna Michelle Lowe, Tyler Neil Lucas;
Ethan John Machalick, Joshua Allyn Mackin, Joseph Shanahan Mahoney-Balestracci, Ashley Victoria Main, Victoria Anne Majcher, Kyle Daniel Marciniak, Chloe Katherine Marien, Jessica Nichole Marion, Phoebe Eliza Marsh, Tyler Charles Marsico, Jordon Walker Martell, Monica Catherine Mason, Jean Jr. Mathurin, Sydney Lynn Maurer, Sarah Elizabeth Maynard, Jerred Michael McCann, Jake Walter McClelland, Lindsay Jordan McElroy, Andrew Shane McGee, Dariennah Devondrah-Diamonte McGee, Matthew Robert McKay, Timothy John McKee, Jr., Camille A'Lelia McKenzie, Francis Michael McMahon, Hannah Kate McShane, Jonas Dennis Mendes, Jocelyn Delia Mendoza, Saul Antonio Meraz, Jr., Melonie Jasmine Merise, Emily Marie Messer, Cindy Mezidor, Tausif A. Mian, Kelsey Elisabeth Miles, Alexander Scott Miller, Izaak Alan Miller, Alexandra Milliance, Katherine Elizabeth Mirochnick, Ryan Tyler Mocek, Bailey Kaelyn Moore, Fallon Breih Moore, Joseph Alan Moquin, Juliet Alise Morales, Javon Anthony Morse, Turner McLean Moss, Cassandra Mary-Mae Moyer, Dominic Anthony Lorenz Mrakovcich, William Xavier Murray, Mia Marisa Muscarella;
Rhyess James Nash, Christopher John Nasios, Luis Angel Nazario Ferrer, Antonia Marie Nelson, Nicki Melissa Neou, Trevor Wyatt Neves, Anna Elizabeth Newcomb, Alexandra Doris Newsome, Matthew Thomas Novosad, Jean Ricks Obas, Kelsey Lynn O'Connell, Jessica Marie O'Connor, Mark Brian O'Friel, Ehi Zachary Ojieyan, Motyat Abiola Olatunmbi, Jeffrey James Olson, Evin Charles O'Shea, Olivia Margaret Ouellet, Marcus Thomas Outlow;
Angelika Michelle Pagan-Rivera, Kevin James Palmer, MiaLynne Mikyoung Park, Connor James Parkinson, Deborah Christine Parlemont, Daniel Edward Parr, Pulkit Vikram Patadia, Akira Queandra Patterson, Sharai Uneek Viola Patterson, Rebekah Grace Patton, Timothy Ronald Paz, Tysheika Naomi Perez, Bianca Marie Perez Colon, Matthew John Perras, Gabriella Marie Perrotta, Laura Lea Pianka, Kimberly Marie Piñero Almonte, Alexandra Fernandes Pires, Alexis Ann Pizzo, William Michael Platz, Zachary Patrick Podurgiel, Benjamin Karl Poettgen, Kimberly Noel Postler, Brandon Kyle Edward Pratt, Haley Alece Pratt, Hannah Elizabeth Preble, Francisca Presmy, Cory Nathaniel Provau, Jacob Timothy Provost, Katherine Grace Pugliese, Queenie Yee Pun, Qi Qin, Ifrah Iftikhar Qureshi;
Victoria Rose Rae, Shivang Raval, Angelica Noelle Rayment, Taylor Morgan Renfree, Niceforo Reyes, Brianda Jo Rice, Sabrina Ann Rickey, Airec Alexander Ricks, Angela Lee Rineer, Michelle Angelica Rios, Ricardo Arthur Rios Juro, Daisy Riser, Alexia Nicole Rivera, Ibo Oscar Rivera, Jonathan Thomas Rivera, Mason Rivera, Emily Allison Rix, Kayla Ann Rizzuto, Cynthia Robles, Dale Bradley Rodgers, Daniel Javier Rojas, Susan Barbara Roper, Kimberly Rosas, Juliana Elizabeth Rourke, Michael William Ryan;
Jean Claudel Saint Simon, Stephanie Sanon, Israel Joel Santiago, Sean Robert Saunders, Alex Roland Savaria, Madeline Fay Sawchuk, Caroline Rose Scheck, Travis James Scherp, Duncan Alexander Schmitt, Evan Grad Seder, Christopher Ryan Shaw, Rhienna Ryan Shaw, Haley Marie Silcio, Tyler Renee Simmons, Autumn Alexus Singtai, Tuzar A'Due Skipper, Ella Irene Skorupski, Caitlin Joy Smallidge, Jacob Collin Smith, Morgan Renee Smith, Niasja Pieije Smith, Nicholas William Smith, Hannah Michelle Smullen, Joshua Sosa, Kelsey Marie Spring, Savannah Jo Steeves, Emma Katherine Stewart, Andrew Carl Stone, Christopher Allen Stoute, Kellen Robert Strader, Alexa Simone Strickland, Brandin Charles Strickland, Katherine Keefer Strickland, Melissa Ann Strong, Melissa Louise Stuart, Josh William Suchocki, Kiera Breen Sullivan, Ulrica Sun, Joshua Jason Synott, Alyssa Marie Szydlo;
Alexis Elizabeth Tanguay, Rochelle Lynn Tasca, Brittany Marie Taylor, Eric Alexander Taylor, Jennifer Michelle Tepale, Julianna Marie Tetreault, Sara Catherine Tiffany, Alexandra Nicole Tio, Matthew John Tirocchi, Samantha Rose Trahan, Patrick Michael Trainor Jr., Peter Joseph Tramontozzi, Teddy Isac Trinidad, Samantha Rose Trombley, Bradley Thomas Tudisca, Alyssa Ann Urbinati, Jaeda Cristal Valencia, Charlotte Elizabeth Van Sambeck, Katherine Marie Vargas, Henry Vasquez-Altamirano, Margarita Vazquez, Samantha Lynn Veaudry, Jarvis Javier Vega, Vicente Anselmo Velazquéz, Jr., Katlyn Ann Velk, Alyssa Marie Velles, Anthony Matthew Velte, Israel Francisco Vicente Osorio, Sheyla Michelle Villafuerte Palomino, Jonathan Alfred Villalan Sanchez, Anna Kathleen Vittucci, Caitlyn Elizabeth Vittucci, Victoria Lee Ann Von Seeberg;
Jessica Lynn Walker, Danielle Mary Walsh, Julie Wang, Minxiang Wang, Xiao Mei Wang, Yizi Wang, Jacob Ryan Warbin, Nathaniel Patrick Ward, Darius Karl Watkins, Joseph Allen Watrous, Jr., Emma Rose Wawrzynowicz, Hannah Lynn Webster, Joseph Gary Weekly, Erika Joyce Wesolek, Chandra Mari White, Alexander Gabrial Whitmore, Derrian Dé Janel Williams, Ebony Alexandria Williams, Ra'mel Williams, Brandon Edward Winakor, Brittnee Lynn Winski, Gabrielle Hogan Wise, Annie Wojciechowski, Joseph Robert Wojtkiewicz, Olivia Berry Wolfe, Colline Wong, Evangeline Zhou-Zhou Wong, Brittney Lynne Wood, Anne Miriam Woronecki, Casey Leonard Worski, Kathryn Stella Wyland, Nicole Lee Yackovetsky, Anita Yip, Sally Lilian Yraita, Jimmy Yuen, Jonathan Ting Yuen, Kevin Alexander Zeller, Sally Zheng, Nuolin Zhu.
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