Schools
Waterbury Arts Magnet School Holds Awards Ceremony
Many students were called to the Palace Theater stage to accept their awards and scholarships during the annual ceremony.
Pictured: Principal Lauren Elias and CJ Janis is congratulated by Ms. Elias, Dana Manning, Band teacher Phillip Sterling and Choral teacher Marianna Vagnini-Dadamo The only two photos that came out by Nancy Sasso Janis
The Waterbury Arts Magnet School (WAMS) held their annual Awards Ceremony at the Palace Theater next door to their Waterbury campus on Tuesday. As Principal Lauren Elias welcomed the students and parents, she spoke of how difficult it is going to be for her to see the members of her first senior class graduate. The first year principal told the students that she is working on her speech and that saying goodbye to the seniors is going to be “awful.” She urged the students to say goodbye to Vice Principal Dana Manning, who will be leaving the school, as they crossed the stage for their awards.
Senior Gerald Mullings sang our National Anthem beautifully without accompaniment and the awarding of the academic and service awards followed. Vice Principals Patricia Moore, Ms. Manning, and Richard Arroyo read student’s names, and department chairs and faculty members presented students with their awards.
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The faculty and staff at WAMS hold the ceremony to “recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students, who will be receiving awards for outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to service in the community. Selected seniors will also be receiving school, local and national awards.”
Awards included the announcement of Valedictorian Celina Caetano and Salutatorian Eric Baltrami. Ms. Caetano recently conducted the school band at the Spring Concert and Mr. Baltrami is a talented dancer and choreographer. Departmental academic awards were presented to many students, sometimes for every grade level of the high school, as well as Student Council Awards and recognition of the members of the National Honor Society.
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Mr. Baltrami was awarded the Maloney Magnet Inter-District Scholarship, the DAR Outstanding Student in American History, and Air Force Recruiting Service: Mathematics and Science, among other awards. He and Ms. Caetano recieved the UCONN Presidential Scholarships.
Connecticut All State Plaques were awarded to juniors Christian Janis and Adam Pierce.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Elias thanked both the parents of the students seated the front rows of the Palace and instructed the students to do so as well. She also thanked the faculty members in attendance.
