Stoneham Students Graduate from Austin Prep

It can be difficult to maintain hope in a world so filled with conflict and violence, but focusing on hope will give you the courage to foster change and create peace, Austin Preparatory School Headmaster Paul J. Moran said during his graduation remarks. 

“We urge you never to let past injustice deprive you of the belief that, collectively, we can do better,” Moran told the 121 graduates in the class of 2013. “We exhort you not just to believe passively in miracles, and cures, and healing wells, but to be active agents in bringing the miracle of self-healing to pass and helping to bring new life to its term.” 

Moran was the keynote speaker during Austin Prep’s Commencement Exercises on Sat., June 1. It was a bittersweet day for him, because the ceremony was his last as headmaster. Moran, of Brookline, is retiring after 24 years at the helm of the Augustinian school in Reading. He has spent a total of 32 years at Austin Prep; when he started as an English teacher in 1981, the school was an all-boys high school. Today, Austin is a co-educational middle and high school serving more than 700 students. 

Valedictorian Dana Chaykovsky of Tewksbury said she and her classmates have been well prepared for the challenges that lay ahead, and they will never forget all those who have helped them along the way. 

“Sometimes the people who influence you the most don’t even realize how much of an impact they made on your life. They deserve to know what wonderful things they have done,” Chaykovsky said. “I know that who I am now is a result of meeting and interacting with all of you.” 

Salutatorian Holly Robinson of Lynn also thanked her family members, teachers and classmates for their support.

“It is obvious that we all owe a lot to our teachers, administrators, and families,” Robinson said. “However, I also think we need to take time to thank each other for our accomplishments. The environment that we created among ourselves helped to facilitate the accomplishments of many, compelling every person to succeed in whatever was important to him.” 

Nearly all 121 graduates are going on to institutions of higher learning, receiving acceptances at more than 550 colleges and universities. 

The class of 2013 includes the following students from Stoneham:

Connor Barry, who will be attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the fall

Michaela Barry, who will be attending Cornell University in the fall

David Blake, who will be attending Saint Joseph’s University in the fall

Janelle Macone, who will be attending Boston University in the fall

Haley McGovern, who will be attending Bryant University in the fall

Alex McPherson, who will be attending Bucknell University in the fall

Nicole Moran, who will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall

Katherine Murphy, who will be attending Boston College in the fall

Ryan Nickerson, who will be attending DePaul University in the fall

Christian Rappa, who will be attending Curry College in the fall

Jesse Shamon, who will be attending Tulane University in the fall

Samantha Sorabella, who will be attending Bentley University in the fall

Alexander Sullivan, who will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall 

In addition, the following students received awards:

Connor Barry of Stoneham received the Intramural Softball Award of Excellence. 

Michaela Barry of Stoneham received the Medal for Theology, the Medal for Biological Science, and the Academic Decathlon Award of Excellence. 

Alex McPherson of Stoneham received the Medal for History. 

Nicole Moran of Stoneham received the Intramural Soccer Award of Excellence. 

Jesse Shamon of Stoneham received a Gold Medal in the National Russian Essay Contest. 

Samantha Sorabella of Stoneham received the Dance Club Award of Excellence.