Always A Ram: Class Of 2023 Graduates New Canaan High School

NEW CANAAN, CT — Over 300 New Canaan High School students marched proudly onto Dunning Field, cheered on by faculty, family and friends, as the Class of 2023 officially graduated Wednesday morning.

During the outdoor ceremony, Principal William Egan reflected on how fast the past four years had gone by and how important it was for students and staff to cherish every precious moment they had together. (A full list of graduates is included at the bottom of this post.)

"Today is a time of celebration," Egan said. "Students, you have accomplished so much over the past four years, from athletic victories to beautiful performances, creative pieces and personal growth. It seems like just yesterday you walked through the doors of NCHS as eager freshmen, and now I proudly watch you leave as accomplished graduates."

Egan said he was confident many of the students graduating Wednesday would be back to visit soon.

"Once a Ram," Egan said, "always a Ram."

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan emphasized New Canaan will always be fondly remembered by each graduate as their hometown, whether they were born in town or had moved there at some point.

"You graduates are very fortunate to have New Canaan as your hometown, because New Canaan is a very special place," Moynihan said.

Moynihan listed a number of qualities that make New Canaan special, including its talented and generous residents, the value it places on public schools with great administrators and teachers, the respect community members show to each other and having graduates like the Class of 2023.

"You have worked hard and achieved," Moynihan said. "New Canaan is proud of you. On behalf of our town, I congratulate each and every one of you for your accomplishments and honors."

The first selectman also encouraged each graduate to get involved, be informed, vote and, most importantly, show gratitude.

"Remember to thank your parents for all their love and support," Moynihan said. "You didn't become who you are today without their love and sacrifices, guidance and love."

Superintendent Bryan Luizzi noted it was impossible to list all that distinguishes the graduating Class of 2023 but encouraged them not to expect things to slow down as they leave high school.

"Only expect them to change," Luizzi said. "We should always expect things to change, and in doing so we teach ourselves to appreciate what we have and to see the future as the opportunity that it truly is."

Science teacher Michael LeDuc served as the ceremony's commencement speaker. He began teaching at NCHS in 2019 and has served as chair of the school's science department since 2020, in addition to coaching track and cross country.

LeDuc noted the Class of 2023 will always be a special one for him, having started at New Canaan High School at the same time as him.

"You and I both finding our way in a new place with new people," LeDuc said. "From the start, you set the tone that you were here to grow and learn, to work hard, to better yourselves and your community, and as a result we were having fun right from the start. As the old cliche goes, 'time flies when you're having fun.'"

For his parting advice, LeDuc encouraged each graduate to "seek out true fun" as they continue on from high school.

"By that I mean go work hard," LeDuc said, "take on the challenge, write the thesis, engineer and redesign...your solutions, make your communities better, take the time to help people and be kind, even when it isn't convenient or easy. Do something that you can be proud of and leave your mark on the world. Remember, the hard work that you do results in the most meaningful and lasting fun."

Prior to presenting students with their diplomas, Board of Education Chair Katrina Parkhill, whose daughter was among those graduating, offered a message of celebration.

"In a world where there seems to be a constant loop of conflict and divisiveness, it's easy to question our place in the world," Parkhill said, "but we can choose to see things differently. We can choose to see and celebrate all that is right in the world, and especially in this community."

Parkhill said each student was lucky to have been raised in a community like New Canaan that prioritizes education.

"What an incredible journey it has been for you all," Parkhill said. "You didn't have the most typical high school experience, but you taught us about resilience, perseverance and courage, and the value of friendships and connection."

Holding back tears, Parkhill reminded the Class of 2023 that everyone in attendance was there to celebrate them.

"You makes us all so proud to serve on our Board of Education," Parkhill said, "and we celebrate with your parents, your grandparents, your family and friends who are so proud of all that you have accomplished...you are loved, and that is something to celebrate."

The following list of graduates was provided Wednesday by New Canaan Public School. Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2023!

Isabella Lauden Aderholt-Koon

Mia Alvarado

Dylan Mahuka Amaswache

Trevor Bruce Anfindsen

Matthew Luis Aquino

Alexander James Arnold

Charlotte Phinn Arrix

Danielle Asabea Asare

Reagan Elizabeth Bailey

Brian Michael Balkun

Alexondra Beaurivage Banford

Brandon Thomas Barket

Mia Barlow

Gianluca Matteo Battisti

Jakob Bensen Bausman

Beckett James Beatman

Paxton Grace Beladino

Andrew Joseph Bell

Skylar Casey Bennett

Amanda Patricia Benson

Charles Emmett Besgen

Oscar Benson Birmingham

Walker James Blair

Abigayle Lisa Bleil

Benjamin Hans Bo

Jenna Alaina Braccio

Kara Viola Braccio

Brendan Kroeger Briggs

Megan Teresa Brunner

Elena Su Bunker

Cora Linn Finlay Burke

Holden Davis Busby

Amelia Isabel Bush-Gravelle

Jack Buttine

Katharine Ann Byrne

Matteo James Russo Cain

Katherine Elizabeth Caione

Michael Joseph Caldero

Ryan Paul Calyanis

Mae Marthe Campbell

Christian Michael Camporin

Mary Adelaide Cannon

Alexander Glen Capelo

Benjamin Peter Capelo

Olivia Ingrid Veronika Carlberg

Logan William Carlson

Sophia Julia Caron

James Frederick Casey

William Laurence Casey

Isabella Rose Casinelli

Charles Martin Chisholm

Gilbert John Clay

Taylor Emily Cloud

June Beecher Cochran

Flynn Patrick Coffey

Ryan James Connelly

Grace Corbett Corcoran

Tessa Christine Cosco

Alexa Veda Crawford

Lucia Josephine Crovatto

Abigail Uppercu Cushman

Jack Treat Dann

Elena Dashi

Vitor De Azevedo Pereira

Ray Anthony DeCamillo

Gabriela Reyes DeFelice

Paige Laura Della Bitta

Tahela Afahnwei Denu

Marco Frank DeRubeis

Cooper Montgomery Dinan

Madeline Viola Donaldson

Andrew Christopher Dooley

Irving Craik Iain Dorman

Sophia Isabelle Doshi

Alexsandra Nicosia Duane

Ava Elizabeth Dunn

Julia Mary Dunn

William Jay Durfee

Virginia Mason Easley

Emily Kay Eason

Salma Ettamymy

Abigail Elizabeth Evans

Katrina Susan Farese

Driton Fazliu

Shawna Marie Ferraro

Cristina Isabel Ferreira

Thatcher Traywick Findlay

Scott Patrick Fitzgibbon

Ava Jane Fonss

Maximus Eusebio Speranza Formoso

Emily Elizabeth Fox

Sebastian Aldar Frank

Spencer James Myles Dylan Lorenza Ralph Dell Fuller-Wright

Lea Sabina Furlan

Elise Margaret Gallois

Richard Hugh Gardiner

Matthew Thomas Gearhart

Caitlyn Nicole Gelchie

Griffin Lee Gentner

Hayley Naomi George

Ava Victoria Giorno

Thomas Feehan Goetz

Oliver Gordon Gray

Tyler Winston Groff

Myles Alexander Gropper

Elizabeth Anne Grosz

Ellie Conry Gusitsch

Brendan Robert Hagan

Kelci Kohana Li Haley

Ewan William Fionn K Hamilton

Reese Dominic Hanrattie

Anders Martin Harris Hansen

David Carpenter Hanson

Olivia Harasiuk

Oliver Edward Harris

Charles Joor Harrison

Saige Hartslief

Robert Saunders Hellmann

Bridget Kate Doonan Hillmann

Madison Alexandra Furuya Hirai

Joseph Warner Hladick

Delaney Jane Hoey

Abigail Lily Holmstead

Luke Johnson Howe

Ethan Crawford Hughes

Owen Christopher Hunter

Mariana Gabriela Illarramendi

Ella Violet Imbruce

Aqwell Theodore Dumitr Ionescu

William Cooper Jessop

Lissette Rose Jimenez

Jonathan Richard Jordan

Hari Krishnan Joshi

Nola Walker Kammerer

Charles Davis Kaynor

Tyler Mathew Kelliher

Beatrice Laura Shannon Kelly

Meghan Louise Kelly

Susan In Ae Kim

Lucas Anthony Klarman

Payton Elizabeth Koch

George Kosmas Kollitides III

Kennedy Madison Kreutzer

Emma Anna Krystman

Santiago Lacayo

Graham Spencer Ladley

Avery Danforth Laird

Gregory James Lamoreaux

Charles Alastair Lampen

Caroline Lucille Langford

Sydney Virginia Lanxon

Elise Marie Laviola

Jamison Mikhela Leahy

Harry Ryan Lee

Jack Dietrich Lenihan

Ariel Renee Levine

Nicolas Bradley Limone

Eve Noel Lindberg

Victoria Grace Lockhart

Andrew Blake Logsdon

Chloe Ann Lopez

Mitchell Daniel Lopez

Benjamin Arthur Madan

Sofia Madrazo

Philomena May Maggard

Kaitlyn Morgan Maggio

Joseph Ottavio Mallozzi

Judith Kailee Mara

Charlotte Anne Marasciullo

Kelly Morgan Marchiony

Jeronimo Faustino Marsili

Lorenzo Franco Marsili

Sophie Elena Martinez

Amira Isabella Massoud

Berkley Elms Matthews

Lexi Madeline McCall

Cullen Dennis McCarthy

Rory Hayden McCarthy

Madeline Rose McDaniel

Thomas Kelly McInerney

Christopher James McLallen

Aidan John McLaughlin

Elizabeth Rose McManus

Sebastian Christophe McNeil

Nathalia Isabel Mejia

Christopher Joseph Michelini

Ella Grace Mihailoff

Caitlin Justine Mijne

Luca Alec Mikkola-Patel

Tucker Jason Milligan

Katherine Leigh Mitrakis

Chastity Elizabeth Monaghan

Jovany Andres Montano

Nathaniel Philip Moor

Avery Grace Morawa

Anila Morina

Grace Elizabeth Morton

Madison Gloria Morton

Lindsay Brooke Mulcahy

Lindsey Nicole Mulle

Finley Elizabeth Murray

Youl Na

Hunter Zane Nelson

Gustav Karsten Neubohn

Andrew Zengo Nolan

Stella Frances Nolan

Giuliano Notari Fontes

Victoria Novothny

Alexander Michael Nurzia

Katherine Judith O'Connell

Connor Thomas O'Donnell

Anna Rose Olesnevich

Lauren Idalia O'Malley

Sophie Caroline O'Neil

Morgan Rose O'Regan

Stefano Antonio Orlando

Lucas Lincoln Orwicz

Katharine Scully O'Shea

Maylis Marie Pabon

Maxmilian Pace

Leo Alexander Pagano

Julia Morgan Paine

Steven Matthew Parelli

Katherine Mary Paris

Elizabeth Austen Parkhill

Adam Michael Parrino

Polly Parsons

Jason Stanley Pastushan

Ella Bohnet Patterson

Natalie Elizabeth Penman

William Gregory Pepe

Javier de Jesus Perez Soto

Colin Caldwell Perkins

Henry Thomas Pirrone

Grant Michael Pittaro

Olivia Daoxi Pivovar

Serena Landers Platt

Natalie Rachel Plosker

Gabriele Alesandro Pozzolini

Charlotte Willow Price

Ava Grace Prochilo

Brandon Neri Qela

Sophia Danica Radman

Dominic Joseph Rasso

Declan Ryan Ratner

Edward Michael Ravanesi

Tony Redondo

Molly O'Brien Reed

Alberto Reyes

Abigail Lindsley Richardson

Jocelyn Charlotte Riley

Andrew Blevins Rittenberry

Lili Anna Rivas

Amanda Elizabeth Robertson

Daniel Brian Rogers

Sebastian Roman Medina

Samantha May Rosano

Jerome Verity Roscoe

Theodore McCabe Rosen

Jenna Marie Rotelli

Patrick James Russo

Alessandra Marie Rutigliano

Malkam Beckett Sabloff

Adam Sabo

Ambereen Sadiq

Matthew Larkin Salmini

Mia Catherine Sanseverino

Julia Devyn Sarda

Elisabeth Bridget Sawyer

Georgia Beatrice Saxe

Chloe Rebecca Schlesinger

Meghan Sophia Sechan

Macklin Kemp Seelert

Kate Shumway

Jerrilyn Liat Sibboni

Mark Edward Silber

Evelyn Nicole Slatoff

Ellie Kate Smith

Sadie Jo Sorensen

Tyler Philip Spencer

Lorea Ane Sprackling

Katherine Olivia Squillante

Amelia Kate Stallings

John Cooper Ramsay Stevens

George Douglas Stewart

Nicolas Strazsky

Travis Edward Sturcke

India Rose Sutton

Nicole Hanna Talamo

William Hudson Tang

Ellerie Mittleman Tauber

Mark William Taubner

Oliver Svetlin Tchakarov

Emily McQueen Tedford

Hunter James Telesco

Billy Tester

Praja Bhan Tickoo

Jack William Timlen

Colin Patrick Tiscornia

Kira Amelia Titova

Amelia Katherine Totaro

John Fuller Totaro

Oliver Charles Tuff

Caroline Grace Underwood

Luke Robert Urgo

Sebastian Dashiell van Stockum

Lee Vance

Sienna Francisca Charlotta Veroude

Joshua Jacob Vetterli

Anastasiia Vozniuk

Julia Frances Waetzig

Diane Elizabeth Wallace

Kate Alexandra Warner

Logan James Warner

Danielle Frances Wartinbee

Sean James Watchmaker

William Thomas Webster

Jesslyn Wei

Cameron Dat-Gee Wietfeldt

James McIntire Wittmann

Toby Matthew Woods

Katherine Ann Wronski

Jonathan Joon Hyung Yoo

Sophia Marilyn Youngs

Andrew Yuan

Laurel O'Malley Zaffino

Peyton Elizabeth Zaletsky

Olivia Zaorski

Ignacio Augusto Zelaya Lucker

Thomas Owens Ziegler

Ava Grace Zinczenko

Spencer Scott Zwick