School: Wheeler High School in North Stonington

Number of graduates: 52

Ceremony location: Wheeler High School lawn

Date: Friday June 10, 2022

Commencement Speaker: Math teacher David Grande: “I’ve been able to see how each and every student in this group has grown in some capacity. The beauty of Wheeler is that personal bond because of the small school setting, allowing me to interact with each student in some way. Students who didn’t say a word in a class setting are now in leadership roles, or in NHS. Students who were unsure of their abilities are now getting accepted to and attending colleges throughout the country. Everyone has found their niche within the Wheeler community, and extrapolating that out to the bigger scheme of life is the new challenge.”

Student Speakers: Cameron Gouveia and Matthew Barrs

Gouveia: “These last four years of school that we have gone through together have been memorable to say the least. Beginning as freshmen, we all were looking forward to the next chapter in our education, not knowing each one of those four years, except our last, would be far from normal. As freshmen, we began the year in one building, and ended in another across the street. As sophomores, we began what was supposed to be the first full year in our new building, and ended ‘learning’ over a screen, isolated, at home. As Juniors, we began with half at home, half at school, and some fully online, and ended in a (quote-unquote) new normal; eating lunch 6 feet apart. As seniors, we began our last year by re-acclimating to a normal schedule, and ended on this lawn, at our graduation today.”

Barrs: “As we move into the next chapter of our lives, I encourage all of you to hold on to the positive experiences you have gained during high school. Moving into the future may seem to be a daunting task. Use what you have learned here at Wheeler to empower you for success in your next endeavors. What comes next may not be easy. That is good. Nothing positive in life comes without determination.”

Other highlights: Wheeler added the Ellie Banker Outstanding Educator Award to its graduation proceedings this year. The award, given to an educator who exhibits the traits and attributes of Banker, a longtime teacher at the school, will be an annual one. This year it was given to Kimberly Haggerty. Peter Nero, North Stonington superintendent of schools, also offered his final remarks during graduation.