BHS Sends On The Class of 2015

Branford School District leaders and graduates talked about making dreams come true during commencement ceremonies on the Town Green last week. 

The Board of Education, the policy makers for the district, were all smiles as they marched in. 

The district also honored its assistant superintendent, who is retiring after 39 years in education.

There were speeches and there was song by and for the seniors.

“We can chase our dreams and be the best we can be,” said senior class president Michael Caminear. 

Caminear, who received the Faculty Key Award, addressed his classmates as he talked about the ​“bittersweet feeling” that commencement brings. He said it is both a time for fond farewells and the ​“initiation to a new beginning.”

Caminear, who will attend Middlebury College in Vermont, was appointed last fall by Gov. Dan Malloy as a student representative to the State Board of Education. He also served as a representative to the BOE, and was co-captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams.

The BHS Graduation was the culmination of a week-long series of graduation events.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) attended the high school’s Model Congress banquet. While there she caught up with three students who spent time with her this year at the Capitol. One was Caminear, whom Reed supported in his successful effort to become a student member of the state Board of Education.

Another was Jared Carlson, star of ​“Les Miz” who spent time with Reed at the Capitol, ​“meeting lots of my colleagues and doing research on his senior thesis, ​“The History and Impact of Tolls in Connecticut.” 

A third student, Miranda Shao, was a leader in the BHS Model Congress and worked as Reed’s student intern at the legislature. Shao was part of a program that allows honor students to do an internship at the legislature for their last six weeks instead of going to classes. Reed said that Ram Shrestha made it back from doing relief work in earthquake crippled Nepal to watch friends and family members graduate. The class of 2015, she said, was an ​“amazing class.”

“For some, tonight may seem like a dream,” said Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez. ​“For others, it’s a dream come true.” 

Hernandez told the 260 graduates that it isn’t luck that shapes the future, it’s hard work and determination.

Michael Krause, chair of the Branford Board of Education (BOE) told the graduates that their diploma is a ​“ticket to life” and said they should ​“embrace every moment.”

Faculty class advisor Nicholas Rizzi advised the graduates to not be afraid to take risks, and to always try to be happy.

High School Principal Lee Panagoulias Jr. presented an honorary diploma to Dr. Mary Peraro, who is retiring after serving as assistant superintendent since 2006. ​“She has pushed our learning community to a higher level,” Panagoulias said. ​“She was always seeking ways we can improve. She is passionate.”

Peraro, whose career in education spanned 39 years, has been lauded for her work in curriculum development and coordination, and for phasing in the new Common Core standards over the past few years. In photo she is seated behind Hernandez.

Panagoulias also presented honorary diplomas to three teachers: Nancy D’Amato, Cindy Brooks, and Harriet Mahoney.

Panagoulias announced the following honors: Megan Shea is the valedictorian; Jessica Lohret is the salutatorian; Cameron O’Neill is the Performance Graduation Requirement valedictorian; and Nathan D’Amico is the Performance Graduation Requirement salutatorian.

And then it was over.
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