School: Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School in Norwich

Number of graduates: 45, the largest in school history

Ceremony location: Three Rivers Community College

Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023

Commencement speaker: Principal Brad Columbus: “As you begin your post-TRMC path, I want to leave you with some words of wisdom. I am confident that you all have learned valuable lessons during your time at TRMC. Wolves have an extremely complicated social structure within their community. However, they all work together in times of need. My advice is to ‘be strong enough to stand alone, be yourself enough to stand apart but wise enough to stand together when the time comes.’ Find and develop a new pack that will foster success no matter what obstacle comes your way.”

Student speakers: Brooke Hritz and Dehjah Drye

Hritz: “TRMC’s class of 2023 has only been together for two years, yet we have accomplished so much. For starters, we have cultivated friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime, we have taken steps to plan for our future, we have served others, we have learned to better understand ourselves, and now we are accomplishing one last thing together: graduating. Over the last two years, we have goofed around in the innovation lab, went on Wendy’s runs, went on school field trips, took lots of spirit week pictures, attended four school dances, had rant sessions, and, yes, even studied together. Through these last two years, we have been greatly impacted by the love and kindness shown by the TRMC staff.“

Drye: “As you walk this stage today, remember that this is an accomplishment most certainly worth being proud of, even if you can’t feel it. Graduating high school is something I know a lot of people can only dream about. Getting to wear these polyester gowns and funny looking caps, and being handed a certificate honoring all of the work that was put into the past four years. This is not a moment everyone gets to celebrate. But you made it. We all made it. And we should celebrate that. If not for ourselves, then for those who don’t get to.”

Other highlights: The graduates collectively earned 1,100 college credits, the most ever by a class, and 18 students earned one year or more of college credits. Katelyn Geren graduated high school with an associate’s degree.