Kent Center School graduates 23 eighth graders in evening ceremony

KENT, Conn.—Twenty-three young people advanced to the next level of their education during Commencement Exercises held Wednesday evening at Kent Center School.

On their way. The new graduates now leave behind Kent Center School, all prepared for their move on to secondary schools. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

Kent Center School Principal Michelle Mott gave a welcoming address during Wednesday night’s commencement exercises. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

Fine weather blessed the outdoor ceremony which saw the eighth graders offer essays and receive diplomas presented by Heather Brand, board of education chairman.

KCS Principal Michell Mott welcomed the audience, commenting that the graduation exercises represented an important milestone in the lives of the students, “a moment to reflect on their grow, recognize their achievements and to look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead of them.”

Soon-to-be graduates process into the courtyard at Kent Center School for their commencement exercises Wednesday evening. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

“It’s a time to celebrate not only what you have accomplished, but the character, resilience and determination you have demonstrated along the way,” she told the graduates.

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Student essayists were Nicholas Love and Aria Fodor, who reflected on the growth the school had fostered in them and the exciting prospects ahead. They were sentiments echoed by the night’s key speaker Reegan Blore, a former KCS student who graduated eight years ago and this past year was an assistant teacher in the sixth grade.

Nicholas Love was one of two student essayists who spoke during Kent Center School’s commencement exercises Wednesday. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

In May she received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Western Connecticut State University and in the fall will begin her career as an English teacher at Northwestern Regional School #7 in Winsted.

Kent Center School Alumna Reegan Blore was the guest speaker at Wednesday’s commencement exercises at the elementary school. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

“Each one of you has worked extremely hard and deserves every moment of praise and celebration,” she told the young graduates. She lauded KCS as a “wonderful place that gave me endless amounts of happy memories” and told the students that the school and town will always be a welcoming place that—as it did for her—”will support and believe in” you.

She said the elementary school was where she met her best friend of 17 years, where she learned to love reading, and where she took risks “like getting up on a stage—or speaking at a graduation ceremony.”

Aria Fodor smiles as she accepts her diploma from Board of Education Chair Heather Brand. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

“As one who sat where you are eight years ago, I can tell you, the best is truly yet to come,” she said. “You have so much to look forward to. My hope is you take every opportunity without fear or doubt in your abilities. You are all capable of more than you realize. Be yourself confidently and proudly … You have so much time to discover your passions.”

Olivia Cabrera and Seamus Dietrich gave the opening remarks at Wednesday evening’s commencement exercises at Kent Center School. Photo by Jeremiah Bickford

This year’s graduates are: Margaret Cecilia Austin, Stephen Henrick Banffy, Abigail Grace Bouchard, Christian Joseph Bouchard, Olivia Ann Cabrera, Maddox S. Calarusso, Tristyn Cole, John Albert Davis, Trevor R. Deitz, Lyra Aurelia DiConstanzo, Seamus Donald McDougall Dietrich, Aria Wright Fodor, Edwin Hernandez, Annabelle Rae Kinsella, Nicholas William Love, Jessie Aloha Mutaka, Elise O’Brien, Rita Margaux Perlik, Hunter Roger Price, Everett Bear Rost, Eloisa Mariel Salazar, Jayden Santiago and Averi Spencer.