HSC Grads Look To Tomorrow’s Light

Try to find a way to make the world a bit brighter than it is today.

Local artist Kwadwo Adae and High School in the Community Salutatorian Gian Rodriguez delivered that hope- and sorrow-filled challenge in separate graduation ceremony speeches Tuesday as they painted a path forward in Wooster Square Park.

They delivered that light-in-the-dark message to High School in the Community’s graduating class of 53 seniors on Tuesday evening.

Adae attended the ceremony as a guest speaker. He is no stranger to HSC, having created a school mural with students last year that shows the Three Graces, a Greek myth consisting of Euphrosyne, Aglaea and Thalia, the daughters of Zeus. The Three Graces were reinterpreted as women of color and the mural’s purpose was to serve as a memorial to victims of gun violence.

“I wish we lived in a country that did anything about the senseless violence and death we see all the time in the news,” he said. ​“That’s what I want most of you as you graduate today and go out into this challenging, unfair, terrible, beautiful world as adults [to know], you always have the power to come together and change this world.”

Adae concluded his speech by giving a final message of resilience to the class.

“This world desperately needs you in it. And as you go out, explore this world. I want you to live with truth, to live with love. Be vulnerable, unafraid and stay in the light.” 

First up for student addresses was Salutatorian Gian Rodriguez. Rodriguez gave a special thanks to his mother, father, sisters, and stepfather before starting his speech.

When remembering his high school experience, he started off by sharing how the pandemic shaped the class’s character early on. 

“The pandemic was a turning point in most of our lives as it has forced us all to adapt, and especially for us freshmen, to grow up to evolve into something new, something hopefully better to learn how to live with all that we have lost, be it time, ideas, or in some cases, even dreams.”

Rodriguez finished on a high note, empowering his classmates to take their destiny into their own hands. 

“The future is ours to say, and though we all have the power to do what we like we must first say, sadly, goodbye. Let us face tomorrow, not only as high school graduates, but also as adults. So to everyone here, let’s keep moving forward so that the future is brighter than the present.”

Up next was Valedictorian Sierra Geda, who plans to go to Michigan State University and major in communications. In her speech she spoke about self-discovery and forging new paths.

“We’ve all had enough of that trying to figure out what to do after we leave high school, but as the great Taylor Swift once said, ​‘The scary news is you’re on your own now. But the cool news is you’re on your own now!’”

While up on the podium she gave a shout out to mathematics teacher Joey Lombardi, who got a standing ovation and cheers from students.

“Thank you for making that class, full of joy and laughter and some pretty memorable stories,” Geda said. ​“I know you’ve tried your absolute hardest to get us to understand differentials. I still don’t know for the life of me what f(x) equals but I do know how important it is to do what you love and when to leave when where you’re at does not give you that sense of joy.”

In addition to mathematics, Lombardi also teaches the senior capstone project. At the end of the ceremony he said that he was moved by Geda’s gesture. 

“They’re a really great group,” he said, ​“and I met them for the first time. They were my first class so it really was such an honor to have that shout out. It made me feel very loved by them, which is great because I really do love them and I wouldn’t want to miss this for the world.”

Geda admitted that she felt scared when presenting but shook off the nerves after getting a warm welcome and cheers from the crowd.

“Once I got up there hearing everyone cheer it was really amazing. I felt very confident,” she said. 

Geda also shared some words of advice for rising seniors. 

“Do the most work and the hardest that you can that year; finish out strong,” she said.

As Lombardi was making rounds handing out remaining certificates on Tuesday, he stopped by student Michelle Hernandez to congratulate her. 

“You did so good in pre-calc this year. I really was so impressed by all the great work you did. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” he said. 

“I’m gonna miss you,” he said before leaning in to give her a hug.

Hernandez will be going to Gateway Community College to study social work. She described her high school years as ​“a roller coaster, because you never know what to expect.” She first started out her freshman year at Wilbur Cross High School before transferring to HSC in her sophomore year. 

Hernandez’s advice to seniors was to excel academically and stay in good standing with teachers. 

“As long as you’re on top of your class you’re ahead of everybody else and you get along easily,” she said.

Marveling at his diploma was 19-year-old Taylon Perry. Perry is heading to Southern Connecticut State University to major in business, and hopes to harness his love of fashion to launch his own apparel brand.

“I always wanted to run my own business,” Perry said, ​“I want to do my own clothing business. I like clothing, I like dressing, I like doing stuff like that. So that’s one thing I want to step forward to.”

Perry advised students to participate in social gatherings and stay active in the community. 

“Make sure you go to every dance, anything you go to, any function they have in school, make sure you go because you’re going to regret not going.”

When reflecting on his experience Perry couldn’t recall anything negative and said that he would miss high school. 

“You got to make memories, you know? High school was a great experience, if you have fun though, but make sure you get your work done!”