Naugatuck High School Graduation 2022

Naugatuck - The Naugatuck High School Class of 2022 graduated on June 15 outdoors on the athletic field on their campus.

Graduation Directors Michele Russell and George, both of whom are retiring at the end of this school year and were recognized for their 75 years of service to the district, directed their final graduation exercises.

“You are ready to go out into the world! Some of you are off to college, some might travel, others will enter the military, and some will enter the workforce. No matter what direction you travel, this is the start of the rest of your life!” - Mrs. Russell and Mr. Macary

John Harris, the principal at Naugatuck High School, gave his greeting after the processional “Pomp and Circumstance” by the NHS Concert and Symphonic Band under the direction of Emanuel Arboleda, the presentation of the colors by Air Force JROTC, and the Star Spangled Banner performed by the Senior Chamber Singers directed by J. Fatone.

Nora Lippai gave her Salutatorian Address and then Naugatuck Mayor “Pete” Hess offered his congratulations.

Superintendent of Schools Christopher Montini addressed the graduates as Melissa Cooney, Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, associate principal, looked on. Class Essayist Tatiana Rodriques then addressed her fellow graduates.

Jeffrey Litke, the chair of the Board of Education, presented scholarships to the top students in the class of 2022.

Harris then recognized the students who had been awarded the Principal’s Award and Community Service Recognition. He also asked the graduates that had been awarded the Seal of Biliteracy Recognition.

Tenzin Dhondup then presented his Valedictorian Address, encouraging the graduates to look outwards and to thank those who brought them up, as well as their teachers.

After the all-important presentation of the diplomas by Superintendent Montini, with the graduates’ names read by Dean of Students James Leary and Dean of Students/Director of Athletics Brian Mariano, a farewell speech was presented by Cadence Hoffmann, in which she encourage her classmates to “be the best version of you.”

Class President Dhondup and Vice President Zoe McCasland led the turning of the tassels and then the new graduates processed through two rows of the teachers in academic dress to “Three Czech Folk Songs: Mvt 1 and Mvt 3 - Joyous and Celebratory” led by Director Arboleda.

Also seated on the stage were Caroline Messenger, Director of Curriculum, Bernice Rizk, Business Manager, Nicole Reichardt, Director of Special Services, Elizabeth Kennedy, Assistant Director of Special Services, John Lawlor, Director of Human Resources and Theresa Rangel, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Katelyn Giulino served as Yearbook Advisor, while Tammy Gartner and Lisa Lamson were Class Advisors.

Board of Education members in attendance included Mayor Hess, Chairperson Jeffrey Litke, Vice-Chair Marilyn O’Donnel, Secretary Ethel Grant, and members Jason Celozzi, Alicia Makowski, Diana Malone, Aaron McCook and James Scully.

Arianna Frattalone wore the pink/white cord of the Art Department Award and Tatianna Rodrigues won the English Department Award. Sofia Rota Figueroa earned the French Award, and Tatiana Rodrigues won the Spanish Award. Mia Grella wore the light blue cord of the Mathematics Award. Charlotte Oehley won the Instrumental Award and Parker Fitzgerald won the Choral Music Award. Saige Winslow won the Physical Education Department Award, Tenzin Dhondup won the Science Award, and Patrick Granahan wore the brown cord for the Applied Education Award. Jillian Daly earned the ROTC Award, and Natalie Deluca wore the purple cord of the Family & Consumer Science Award.

Britney Amankwah was awarded the Tim Walsh Social Studies Award, named in honor of the late NHS teacher.

Twenty-one students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and two earned the seal in Portuguese. The scholarships awarded at the graduation included the Naugatuck High School Scholarships, Anna B. Hopkins Scholarships, Victor N. Peterson Scholarships, the Howard B. Tuttle Scholarship, Emil Mannweiler Scholarships, Julia S. Whittemore Scholarships, and the June Olive Broderick Kinch Scholarship to Arianna Frattalone.

Over $140,000 in scholarship awards were presented at the recent Awards Night. The Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung Memorial Scholarship went to Kaylee Jackson, who also earned the Naugatuck Teachers League Scholarship. Andrew Avenue School P.T.G. Scholarship went to Emily Meyer, Cross Street School P.F.G. Scholarship was awarded to Mia Grella, Maple Hill School PTO Scholarship went to Tatiana Rodrigues and the Mary Ellen Marques Memorial Scholarship went to Ciana Cruz. Salem School - Carl Trombley Scholarships went to Zoe McCasland and Kelly Brodeur and Western School P.T.O. Scholarship went to Kiara de Leon. Twelve seniors earned Joshua E. Ruccio Athletic Scholarships.

Congratulations to my former first grade students (2010-2011) who I proudly watched walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Anthony Abate, Elijah Borunda, Kaleigh DeSousa, Brady Evon, Arianna Frattalone, Xavier Johnson, Julia Kropo, and Ian Washburn are all grown up and now high school graduates.