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There Is A Place In My Heart For The Class of 2016”

Mary Johnson Photo

Mrs. Montano Hugs Marissa Antonino.

Under clear and sunny skies at Town Hall, the Branford High School class of 2016 marched down the Town Green to their front row seats and to the diplomas awaiting them. On stage Friday night was the guidance counselor who had journeyed with them from their earliest days at the Walsh Intermediate School. 

It was a perfect evening for the graduating class and a special evening for Marian Montano, who served as their guidance counselor when they entered Walsh Intermediate School in 5th grade and stayed at their side over the next eight years, giving a special commencement address at their graduation. This class produced a number of scholars and academic leaders, including graduates who will attend Ivy League colleges in the fall.

As fate would have it, Montano and this class left Walsh at the same time, Montano taking a new position as a guidance counselor at Branford High in 2012, the same year the class of 2016 entered high school as freshmen. She has known this class for eight years and she and they were in tears as they said farewell.

She left them with a series of questions. Integrity is talking the talk and walking the walk, matching what you do to what you believe in. Tonight I ask you to challenge yourselves: Who are you? What do you stand for? What are the character traits that define and guide your actions? 

A Special Address

Montano told the class of 245 graduates that to give a commencement speech to this very special class is more than I can imagine. I spent a great deal of time looking back over the eight years that most of us have been together. She recalled first meeting them in April, 2008, in their fourth grade elementary school classroom when they met to discuss what Walsh Intermediate School would be like.

I was going to be your first guidance counselor. At age 10 your greatest concerns were being able to open up your locker, and who you were going to sit with at lunch. We spent the next four years together, finding our way thru the complications of middle school, learning about consensus, defining our character, discovering our learning style,” she said. 

Mary Johnson Photo

Mrs. Montano and a group of graduates.

Then as you were anticipating your move to the high school, I was doing the same. Transferring to BHS created a brand new professional experience for me. I embraced the challenge of working with high school students … but my greatest learning experience truly has been watching each and every one of you grow to the young women and men that you are today.”

Marcia Chambers Photo

This is a class that grew up on smart phones, Snapchat and Facebook. Indeed, after Alyssa Sachs, ([pictured), the class president, gave an uplifting speech about the meaning of roller coaster rides, she whipped out her smart phone to take a selfie” of herself in her moment on stage. And while the adults on the Green may have wondering about her gesture, her classmates thought it perfectly natural. And she noted she wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Principal Challenges the Students to Think

Marcia Chambers Photo

Principal Lee Panagoulias, Jr.

In his talk to the graduates, Principal Lee Panagoulias, Jr. didn’t dwell on social media but he didn’t ignore it either. The world you are entering needs your help. We all face the time of global challenge and political philosophy that seem to divide us. Social media has devolved into a forum, simply put, of not nice behavior. On TV we are made to think that all conflicts no matter how complicated are resolved in 30 minutes, 19 if you take out the commercials. Too many people are willing to shout out the problem but too few are willing to be part of the solution,” he said as he challenged the graduates to create momentum to change the world around you.”

A Moment of Silence

Earlier Panagoulias set aside a special moment of silence for three students and one teacher, who left the Branford High community during this academic year. We lost four members of our community this year, tragically. Let us honor their memories along with the class of 2016,” he said naming, Jean-Luc Guglielmi, Shane Murphy, Tally Sepot and longtime teacher and athletic coach Joan Callahan, who died the night before graduation.

Marcia Chambers Photo

There was music, of course. The Branford High School Band played the Theme from Pomp and Circumstance, March #3,” as the graduates marched to their seats. The Music Makers, led by Cathyann Roding led the concert choir with You Light the Way.” The seniors joined the group to the side of the stage, together for one last time. They shared many adventures, here and abroad, over the last four years.

Mrs. Montano Sums It Up

The words the seniors listened to most closely, however, came from Mrs. Montano. She spoke of the character traits they had learned or would learn, giving special emphasis to the concept of integrity.

She asked the class of 2016 for two things as they left this place. One is to promise to reflect on my message of character, to be clear about who you are and what you believe in as you enter your new life as a high school graduate.

The second request needs a little prologue. Over the last eight years I have never stopped believing in each and everyone one of you. I have seen you at your best; and sometimes your not-so-best. But no matter what I was always able to see your greatness. So this is my second request. Remember that you all have greatness. You may not recognize it yet but through life’s journey, please remember if you are at a place where you need some encouragement, reach out. You are never alone. Find that person in your life who believes in you as much or more than you believe in yourself. If there is ever a time that you can’t find that person, you know where to find me. I love you all. And I will miss you. There is a place in my heart for the class of 2016….”

At first the seniors were silent. And then they burst forth with wild applause. Rising as one they gave Mrs. Montano a standing ovation.

Marissa Antonino, a graduating senior who had introduced Mrs. Montano, said the class of 2016 will remember their guidance counselor for her loyalty, kindness, support and wisdom. She will always be loved by this graduating class for the many great years we have spent knowing her.” In tears, Marissa said, Thank you so much. You made my life so much happier. I miss you already.”

Mary Johnson Photo

It was time to take out that cigar, light up and appreciate the setting and the moment.

Many of the graduates will be attending schools across the nation, some on athletic scholarships. According to the school newspaper, the BranfordBuzz, Valedictorian Issy Bysiewicz will be attending Yale University, Lily Kirby will be attending Brown University, Cleo Kyriakides will be attending Cornell University and Claira Janover will be attending Harvard College. Marshall Borrus will head for Williams College. For a more detailed story on where the class of 2016 will be next September, read about in the Branford High School Buzz.  

Anthony Buono, the assistant Superintendent of Schools, stood in for Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez, who was attending his own son’s high school graduation from North Branford High the same night. Board of Education chair Michael Krause read a note Hernandez wrote for the graduates.

Buono told the seniors that over the years he had learned that one of the most important goals is to help students find their passion, take risks outside of your comfort zone and persevere when faced with challenges.” Finding your passion, he said, will give your life meaning and provide you with motivation. Lastly, be kind, be kind to everyone. Kindness is free but it pays enormous dividends.”

Mary Johnson Photo

As commencement ended, principal Panagoulias told the students to move their tassels from the right side of their cap to the left. They had received their diplomas and were now graduated from high school. Then the kids threw their hats in the air and hugged one another.

Mary Johnson Photo

What a moment! 

Mary Johnson Photo

As they all left the Green, the sun was setting; the graduates hugged their parents and friends and slowly said adieu to Branford High. 

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