School: Marine Science Magnet High School

Number of graduates: 58

Ceremony location: Garde Arts Center, New London

Valedictorian Kaiden Chandler: “In our tiny grade, we’ve developed something different ― a kind of community that goes beyond a typical high school “class.” In a school with no sports, we come together in a field day relay race or spirit week lip sync, supporting and cheering each other on. I’m not a person who’s typically a fan of public speaking ― I found the preparation for this speech terrifying.

The only way I could have made it onto this stage today was with the supportive, welcoming environment that makes MSMHS the community that it is.“

Salutatorian Charles Bergendahl: “Everything is changing. Things are going to be constantly changing in life, whether we like it or not. But it’s our job as members of society to roll with the punches and use every obstacle we encounter as an opportunity to learn. And to fight past adversity even when it seems impossible to overcome.

That, my friends, is known as grit.

Senior Class President Gabriel Frommer: “When I look around this room, I see so many different and unique individuals. This is what makes us so special. We are a melting pot of talent, passion, and determination. We have people from over 35 different communities making up one class, and each of us has different goals and aspirations. Our class has future pastry shop owners, marine biologists, engineers, teachers, captains, air force airmen, opera singers. And in all these differences, our shared values connect us: inclusion, equity, and of course, hard work.”

Senior Speakers McKayla Tyrone and Wyatt Poehler: “And now here we are, at the end of our high school journey. And while this journey may have ended, the journey of our life has just started. It is a crazy world we have been handed. But now it is our world to sculpt.”

“Every day that everyone here walks this earth they are building different aspects of their lives. Today here all the graduates are building a tomorrow full of success. Whether this means college, work, or maybe you aren’t really sure yet. You are still building the tomorrow you want.”

Marine Science Magnet High School graduates

Jessalyn Acevedo, Groton; Sara Autio, Groton; April Beaulieu, Pawcatuck; Brooke Bergendahl, Noank; *Charles Bergendahl, Noank; Loralei Bishop, Norwich; Kenny Bones, New London; Drusilla Burdo, Groton; Khalfani Campbell, Gales Ferry; Madelyn Campbell, Ledyard; Sierra Chagnon, Ledyard; **Kaiden Chandler, Mystic; Ava Delaney, Voluntown; Trevor Di Filippo, Clinton; Julian Diaz, Mystic; Ian Donnel, Oakdale; Lillian Edmond, New London; Mariette El Khoury, Mystic; Sebastian Fieldsend, Gales Ferry; John Flaherty Stonington; Gabriel Fletcher, Mystic; Gabriel Frommer, New London; Griffin Harris, Stoningon; Jessica Helal, Mystic; Travis Jansen, Ledyard; Seth Knight, Norwich; Ryan Kostopoulos, Waterford; Jack Lacey, Groton; Marczyanna Latino-Davis, Groton; Logan LeMay, Uncasville; Sierra Lund, Mystic; Reese Main, North Stonington; Theo McGee, Mystic; Adriana Michaud, Norwich; Makai Moore, Mashantucket; Grace Moriarty, Groton; Grace Muti, Waterford; Nathaniel Oulton, Voluntown; Sonoma Parlagreco, Mystic; Grace Peil, Mystic; Hayden Philbrick, Norwich; Lauren Podurgiel, Mystic; Wyatt Poehler, Pawcatuck; Ash Price, New London; Keilani Puckett, New London; Italia Salls, New London; Roan Schaffer, Stonington; Brendan Spence, Ledyard; Jayden Tapia, Gales Ferry; Kate Tarinelli, Groton; Z’Nyah Thomas, Waterford; Henry Thorndike, Mystic; McKayla Tyrone, Preston; Josmary Urena, New London; Dempsey Watford, Old Saybrook; Jacob Watson, Uncasville; Aiden Williams, Gales Ferry; and Jacob Zelinsky, Voluntown.

*-salutatorian **-valedictorian