Health & Fitness
Waterbury Arts Magnet School Class of 2014 Graduates at the Palace
Congratulations to the WAMS graduates who walked across the Palace Theater stage on Tuesday.
The Waterbury Arts Magnet School held their commencement exercises on their main stage, Waterbury's Palace Theater, at 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 17. One hundred fourteen seniors received their diplomas during the hour long ceremony. Principal Leo P. Lavallee presided over his final graduation before he steps down at the end of the school year.
The gentlemen wore black caps and gowns, while the ladies sported light blue graduation attire. They entered the Palace to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" performed by the WAMS Wind Ensemble. Mr. Lavallee welcomed the family and friends that packed the large theater and recognized the faculty members who attended in their academic attire.
"The Star Spangled Banner" was performed by a quartet of the multitalented seniors Alexa Campagna, Emily Pierce, Bailey Cummings and Ron Boulanger backed by members of the WAMS High School Chorus. I got to chaperone the chorus for this performance and therefore got to watch and listen backstage.
Class President Rebecca Nicole Dupre spoke about how life is about choices. In her speech, she pointed out that most of the students chose to attend WAMS and now they must make choices about the career that they wish to pursue. The honorable Neil M. O'Leary, mayor of Waterbury, reminded the graduates that they can make a difference if they choose to get involved.
Dr. Aresta L. Johnson, Instructional Leadership Director, addressed the students and quoted both Horace Mann and Maya Angelou. She mentioned that Ms. Angelou once stood upon the Palace stage to read her poetry.
Michelle Briney of Naugatuck, the salutatorian, addressed her classmates next. Ms. Briney is a CAPT Scholar and a TriM Music Honor Society member, appeared in the WAMS production of Into the Woods and Waiting for Godot. The Valedictorian address was given by Jonah Tanguay-Colucci, who encouraged his classmates to take risks. Mr. Tanguay-Colucci is a CAPT Super Scholar and a National Honor Society member.
The High School Chorus returned to the stage to perform an interlude of "May It Be" from Lord of the Rings under the direction of Marianna Vagnini Dadamo. Kim Boonstra accompanied the group on piano.
After Mr. Lavallee's final Principal's Address, he began the presentation of the diplomas to the graduates. Assistant Principals Dana Manning and Patricia K. Moore and Arts Supervisor Kelly Galullo helped with the reading of the names of the students. After the turning of the black and light blue tassels, the joyous graduates exited the theater that is attached to their school to the strains of Handel's "Water Music" performed by the Wind Ensemble.
Sincere congratulations to all the WAMS graduates. Members of the class of 2014 have been accepted to 35 colleges and universities including Hofstra, Marist, Pace, SHU, Tufts and the University of San Francisco.
