Class Prez Realizes Last Hillhouse Goal

Hillhouse senior class president Tatiana Gaither had one goal left to accomplish before becoming an official high school graduate, a goal she’s been chasing since her freshman year. 

To speak at her own graduation. 

Gaither was one of 216 Hillhouse graduates to cross the stage at Bowen Field and receive their diplomas Monday. 

Confetti, banners, and dozens of flags were on display at Hillhouse’s 166th commencement. Hillhouse is the second largest high school in the city. As the 200-plus students walked the stage, they did so to remind New Haven that, ​“Hillhouse Academics do not quit.”

Speakers at Monday’s ceremony included Board of Education member Andrea Downer, Mayor Justin Elicker, 2007 Hillhouse alum and keynote speaker Terrell Wilkes, and Gaither. 

During her time at the mic, Gaither reminded her peers during brief remarks Monday that they are the ​“best class in New Haven.”

Speakers’ parting advice to the students included to head into life working hard, helping others, and to always be calm, cool, and collected. 

Gaither took the stage Monday as senior class president to speak about the bittersweet journey of her high school career. 

Despite ups and downs — like at times struggling with mental health and lacking confidence — Gaither said Hillhouse’s school community helped her keep working through the hard times. 

“A lot of Hillhouse was finding my confidence and finding my people,” she said. 

While receiving her diploma Monday, Gaither wore a dozen academic and athletic medals from her track career at Hillhouse. She next plans to head to Central Connecticut State University with a full athletic scholarship for track. 

She recalled struggles like joining the track team her freshman year and not feeling confident enough to push herself. ​“I just showed up every day, even when I thought I wasn’t the best,” she said. 

Showing up and challenging herself is one of the many lessons she learned at Hillhouse. 

Elicker reminded the graduates and their families Monday that ​“we are a city that welcomes everyone into our community, and you are a reflection of that.” 

Valedictorian Alana Williams said that, thanks to the many different programs at Hillhouse, she found her passion to one day become a health care provider. She also recently graduated from the school’s certified nursing assistant certification program and is leaving high school with 20 college credits to begin pursuing her nursing degree. She thanked her family, friends, and Hillhouse staffers for their ​“unwavering support and motivation.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Terrell Wilkes, told the graduates that they will soon be the next CEOs, barbers, and school administrators if they keep on the hard-working pathways they are each currently on. 

He reminded the graduates that they have surpassed Connecticut’s average of 53 percent of Black male students graduating from high school. 

Principal Antoine Billy concluded that Hillhouse has prepared its graduates to never quit. ​“Hillhouse is great. I don’t care what anybody says.”