Stamford High Seniors Earn International Baccalaureate Diplomas

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools announced in a news release on Tuesday that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization awarded all 12 Stamford High School (SHS) seniors, who completed the IB Diploma Programme this year, IB Diplomas.

According to a news release, the SHS Class of 2021 students are:

• Megan Armstrong
• Jonathan Balayev
• Anthony De Paz
• Zoe Laureano-Rikardsen
• Ruby Li
• Daniel Sarria
• Gianna Saviano
• Aaron Sekplorm-Awadz
• Ryan Szemplinski
• Grace Targonski
• Emily Tippelmann
• Matthew Tromba

These graduates entered the IB Diploma Programme at SHS as juniors. Each successfully completed the six required two-year courses, designed to enhance their skills across multiple disciplines, including language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, math, science and the arts, according to a news release.

As dictated by the IB, students had to earn a prescribed number of points in each course to be eligible. According to the organization, students who receive the diploma have also engaged in the following three IB Core requirements. Each student had to:

• Earn a passing score on the Extended Essay (a 4,000-word research essay guided by a supervisor in their chosen field)
• Engage in 18 months of experiences in the areas of Creativity, Activity and Service to grow as individuals and members of the world at large
• Pass the Theory of Knowledge course, in which students engage in critical thinking that extends across the IB Programme.

Students also had to earn a prescribed number of points on a series of subject exams taken in late April/early May.

"Having all of our eligible Diploma Candidates earn an IB Diploma while living through the COVID-19 pandemic is incredible," said IB Diploma Programme Coordinator Tiffany Flynn in a news release. "Stamford High is extremely proud of our candidates for their perseverance and hard work. I am also incredibly grateful for each staff member who went above and beyond to support candidates during this challenging time."

For more information about Stamford High School’s IB Diploma Programme and upcoming information sessions (October 5 and 13), please visit Stamford High School’s website here, or email Tiffany Flynn at TFlynn@StamfordCT.gov.