24 Riversiders Make It To Finish Line

Jonathan Torres wasn’t destined to graduate high school: He got in trouble at Hillhouse. Then he got arrested.

He found his way 14 months ago to Riverside Academy, an alternative high school in the New Haven district. And he not only made it to graduation Tuesday: He was the class speaker.

Torres was one of 24 students who walked the stage at the Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, where Riverside held its commencement ceremony.

In the first indoor graduation since the beginning of the pandemic, Board of Ed member Edward Joyner, Principal Derek Stephenson, and 150 family members came together to celebrate the 24 graduates.

Seven students graduated with honors. The class’s valedictorian was Cole Curry, who graduated with a 4.15 GPA. 

With two graduating mothers in the class as well as students who had to drop out of traditional high school for various reasons, Stephenson highlighted the difficult journey that each student had taken to get to the place where they are today. 

“For many of you, the idea of graduating high school seemed impossible even a few months ago,” said Stephenson. ​“However, through your own hard work and determination, you have made it here today. Let today be a confidence booster and only the first graduation stage you get to walk in your lifetime.”

The graduates head out next to destinations including the Marines, Morgan State University, and a local job seen a step toward pursuing an electrical engineering degree.

Joyner presented seven students with gifts saying they embodied different values including perseverance, dedication, kindness, attendance, and creativity.

“The strongest weapon against a racist system is an educated person of color,” said Joyner. ​“If we keep learning and keep fighting we can achieve all of our dreams. I am so happy to have gotten to know so many of you over the last year and am so happy to see you walk this stage today. You are all programmed for excellence and have great things ahead of you.”

Addressing his classmates as the class speaker, Jonathan Torres shared his own story and the collective experience of his class.

“Too many people our age are dying these days,” said Torres. ​“The streets aren’t our only option. We can study, get our degrees and live good lives. Riverside provided the love and community I needed to thrive. Riverside is the family I needed to get here today.”

Torres spoke about moving through both High School in the Community and Hillhouse before his arrest, then transferring to Riverside in April of his junior year. After attending the summer session, he was able to catch up and complete his high school education. He quickly rose up as a leader within his class. As Stephenson put it, if Torres ​“was in the room everyone would know.”

With an infectious and can-do attitude, he became the ​“soul and beating heart” of his class and was presented one of three inaugural Marites Sierve Citizenship awards. The awards honor students in the class who dedicated their time to helping their community and peers.

Torres plans on taking some time to rest after finishing high school and then pursue an electrical engineering degree at a four-year university.

“I didn’t think graduating from high school was possible even one year ago,” said Torres. ​“Now I’m filled with the confidence that I can walk another stage and get another degree and make my life even better.”