'We Earned This': Salem Academy Celebrates Class Of 2023

SALEM, MA — Sixty-six Salem Academy Charter School graduates walked across the Read Gymnasium stage on Friday as the students celebrated their accomplishments and looked forward to their collective futures.

"In this sea of uncertainty that made up our four years together, we had each other to rely on to get up and over the crest of every wave," Natalia Fila, the class valedictorian, said. "There were so many times when it felt we might get pulled under and drown. If we went down, at least it would be together. You know, like the 'High School Musical' song, even though none of this was like a Disney movie. Today is an accomplishment that cannot be taken away.

"We earned this. If you bring one thing home, let it be that."

Elected Class Speaker Gabriel Garcia noted that "COVID-19 snatched two years of our high school experience away and then dropped us into the hardest year of high school, junior year," but that the challenges did not stop the students.

"Did we let it slow us down? No! We kept on pushing for what seemed like four years, to get to where we are now," he said. "So let's give a pat on the back and a round of applause for being able to say that 'we are class of 2023.'"

Guest speaker and alumna Dr. Gabriela Florentino shared a message about overcoming setbacks.

"Do not be afraid of failure, allow yourself to embrace the growth that comes with not achieving something," Florentino said. "Success is not just about checking boxes on your goal list, it's about learning from your mistakes and using those lessons to grow. Don't be afraid to take risks to try new things and to stand up after falling — even if it is a couple of times in a row."

The Pabich Family Prize was awarded to Darling Vicioso and Jaydalise Castillo for their commitment to helping others and making a meaningful difference in their community. The Norman H. Read Prize was awarded to Grace Thomas for excelling in STEAM and serving as a co-captain for the Robotics team.

Executive Director Stephanie Callahan closed the program by also emphasizing the perseverance through the pandemic and how it has the graduates "ready to embrace what comes next."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)