Waterbury Arts Magnet School's Graduation at the Palace

Pictured: Scenes from the class of 2015’s commencement on Friday All photos by Nancy Sasso Janis

The members of the class of 2015 at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School (WAMS) marked a milestone on Friday at the Palace Theater, but it wasn’t really theatrical in nature. They walked across the stage that many of them have had multiple opportunities to perform upon to accept their high school diploma from their principal Lauren F. Elias. Ms. Elias completes her first year as principal of the interdistrict magnet school with the commencement exercise for this class of 113 students.

The ceremony began with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar played by a WAMS ensemble. The National Anthem was sung by members of the high school chorus dressed in black and white with the senior chorus members in their powder blue and black caps and gowns. The senior class president delivered a welcome address to the assembled dignitaries, family and friends.

Dr. Kathleen Ouellette, superintendent of the Waterbury School district, addressed the students and their family, reminding them what a special place WAMS is in the school system. Mr. Charles Stango, Board of Education Commissioner, represented the Board of Education at the graduation.

Salutatorian Eric J. Beltrami, an excellent dancer and choreographer, thanked all of his teachers at WAMS during his salutatorian address. The valedictorian, Celina Marie Lopes Caetano, spoke of the many ways that WAMS was a home to the students during their time there. Both of the top two students in the class will attend UCONN in the fall.

A musical interlude preceded the principal’s address. The choral students performed “Finale B” from the musical ‘Rent’ by Jonathan Larson arranged by Roger Emerson under the direction of Mariana Vagnini-Dadamo and accompanied by Joseph Jacovino. The beautiful piece was dedicated to High School Assistant Principal Dana F. Manning, who will be leaving WAMS. The song was a fitting tribute to this beloved administrator.

Since I helped out backstage with the chorus students who came back to school on their first day of summer vacation in order to sing at the graduation ceremony, I missed Ms. Elias’ first principal’s address. However, I know from her remarks at Awards Night that hers was a difficult speech to write because she needed to say goodbye to such a wonderful class of seniors.

The presentation of diplomas was handled by Ms. Elias, Ms. Manning, Patricia K. Moore, High School Assistant Principal and Richard M. Arroyo, Middle School Assistant Principal. The students proudly and carefully crossed stage left to stage right to receive their diplomas and greet their administrators with handshakes and a multitude of hugs.

Unfortunately, before and during the graduation ceremony that was held at 5:00pm, there were two car accidents in the parking garage adjacent to the Palace Theater. They were cleared before the start of W.F. Kaynor Technical High School’s graduation ceremony promptly at 8:00pm.

The recessional was Handel’s “Water Music” performed by the WAMS ensemble and the graduates headed to their courtyard to pose for photos and congratulate each other on a job well done.

Sincere congratulations to the seniors whose performances I have enjoyed in the various WAMS productions. Best of luck to Olivia Blazas, Anna Nicole Doucette, Wilmer Gonzalez, MacKenzie Huneke, Isaac M. Hutchinson, Gerald Mullings, Alizae Powell, Cole Schmidt, Michael Stevens, and Blesing Zenick and all of the creative students who have completed their education at WAMS. I will miss seeing you onstage.

Members of the class of 2015 have been accepted to some pretty impressive colleges, universities, and institutes of higher learning, including American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Carnegie Mellon University, CCSU, ECSU, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hofstra University, Johnson and Wales, Marist College, New School, Pace University, SCSU, Suny Purchase, University of Vermont, WCSU and Worchester Polytechnic Institute.