KENT, Conn. — Fifteen Kent Center School students bid farewell to the school most all of them have known for their entire elementary and middle school career.
Graduates are, from left to right, in back, William Brown, Noell Laurry, Harper Bloom, Cullen Bonis, Isla Jordan-White, and Mario Brito-Trinidad, and in front, Lucille Matuszewski, Cadence Velky, Marisol Vaughn, Alastair Schnepf, Grayson Merritt, Gia Torzilli, Sofia Ramos, Ella Barrett, and Kianna Williams. Photo by Deborah Rose
Under a blue sky with before Golden Hour sunlight shining through the trees, friends and families gathered in the school’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony Thursday, June 12.
The short ceremony included opening remarks, the reading of graduation essays by graduates Ella Barrett and Noelle Laurry, words of wisdom by guest speaker Leah Darby, a UConn student, and the presentation of diplomas.
Following the ceremony, snacks and drinks were served.
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Graduates are Ella Barrett, Harper Bloom, Cullen Bonis, Mario Brito-Trinidad, William Brown, Isla Jordan-White, Noell Laurry, Lucille Matuszewski, Grayson Merritt, Sofia Ramos, Alastair Schnepf, Gia Torzilli, Marisol Vaughn, Cadence Velky, and Kianna Williams.
Region 1 Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley addressed the graduates to wish them well in their high school career.
“You’re stepping into a place filled with opportunities,” she said.
She encouraged them to “get involved” in activities because there is a “place everywhere for you.”
Essayist Ella Barrett described the “friendships and unbreakable bonds” that were forged during her 10 years at the school.
Classmate Noell Laurry reflected upon her time at the school in her essay.
Graduate Ella Barrett shares her graduation essay with classmates at Kent Center School’s graduation June 12. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduate Noell Laurry captures the audience’s attention with her graduation essay at the Kent Center School eighth-grade graduation ceremony. Photo by Deborah Rose
In other end-of-school-year news, numerous awards were presented as follows:
Academic Excellence Award: Gia Torzilli.
American Legion Awards: Cullen Bonis.
Armstrong Art Award: Alastair Schnepf and Marisol Vaughn.
Chorus Award: Ella Barrett.
Classroom Music Award: Marison Vaughn.
Computer Science Award: Alastair Schnepf.
DAR Citizenship Award: Sofia Ramos.
DAR History Award: Alastair Schnepf.
Drama Award: Isla Jordan-White.
Gail Osolin Leo Award: Noell Laurry.
Instrumental Music Award: Noell Laurry.
KEA Award: Grayson Merritt.
KCS PTO Citizenship Award: Sofia Ramos.
Library Award: Marisol Vaughn.
Lions Club Awards: Mario Brito-Trinidad and Sofia Ramos.
Norman Stoddard Sports Awards: Mario Brito-Trinidad and Noell Laurry.
Physical Education Award: Mario Brito-Trinidad and Cadence Velky.
Principal Awards: William Brown and Alastair Schnepf.
Ron Samartini-Viafore Arts Alive Award: Marisol Vaughn.
Spanish Award: William Brown.
Kent Center School held its graduation ceremony for 2025 the evening of Thursday, June 12. Photo by Deborah RoseKent Center School third-grade teacher Brittany Barrett, left, and parent Misty Jordan catch up before the ceremony begins. Their daughters are graduates, Ella Barrett and Isla Jordan-White. Photo by Deborah RoseKent center School seventh graders, from left to right, Margaret Austin, Aria Fodor, Everett Rost, and Lyra Wilder casually pass time before the start of the eighth-grade graduation ceremony. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduate William Brown leads a line of his peers to their chairs for the start of the ceremony. Photo by Deborah RoseKent Center School Principal Michelle Mott leads the procession of staff the courtyard. Photo by Deborah RoseKent Center School graduate Lucille Matuszewski listens as Region 1 Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley shares a few words of wisdom. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduate Alastair Schnepf is congratulated by Board of Education Chair Jenn Duncan. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduate Sofia Ramos receives her diploma from Jenn Duncan, Board of Education Chair.. Photo by Deborah RoseFriends and families of graduates fill the seats in the courtyard for the Kent Center School graduation. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduates Noell Laurry, left, and Emma Barrett and other peers make their way to greet their families after the ceremony. Photo by Deborah RoseGrayson Merritt receives a congratulatory hug from his cousin Lily Mellett at the conclusion of the event. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduation Kianna Williams, center, was excited to have family and friends, including Sophia and Hailey Swanson, attend the ceremony. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduates, from left to right, Alastair Schnepf, William Brown, Harper Bloom, Mario Brito-Trinidad, and Cullen Bonis, band together for a photo for their families post-ceremony. Photo by Deborah RoseCake and drinks are served at the end of the Kent Center School graduation. Photo by Deborah RoseGraduate Cadence Velky poses for a photo with her family, from left to right, grandfather and grandmother, Jo and Donna Paul, parents Nina and Richard Velky, and brother, Richie. Photo by Deborah Rose
Deborah Rose is a lifelong writer, photographer, poet and award-winning journalist. As assistant editor of the Kent Dispatch, she brings us more than 25 years in community journalism and, as a lifelong...
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1 Comment
What a wonderful location for the celebration for the young graduates. Wishing them all happiness and success. Wonderful collection of photos – great reporting. As a graduate myself of the class of 1961, I hope these students can retain and grow their friendships with each other, as many members of my class have done over the years.
What a wonderful location for the celebration for the young graduates. Wishing them all happiness and success. Wonderful collection of photos – great reporting. As a graduate myself of the class of 1961, I hope these students can retain and grow their friendships with each other, as many members of my class have done over the years.