Graduates Celebrate the Win
New Haven Adult Education
We are an adult education school that offers high school completion programs, ESOL and Citizenship classes.
Article written by Rohanna Delossantos, Social Studies Teacher in the High School Credit Program at New Haven Adult Education.
Graduates in blue walked the Lyman Center stage to receive their high school diplomas. Their graduation caps read “Ma, I did it for you!” “The first of many achievements,” and “Con diploma te ves más bonita.” Adriana Alves Barbosa waved an American flag as she received recognition for earning U.S. citizenship. Tony Marrone’s music students played a rendition of “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, featuring student singer Miguel Loor.
A parade of speakers addressed the crowd, including Principal Michelle Bonora, Mayor Justin Elicker, Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negrón, and keynote speaker A.M. Bhatt, who reminded students to look for abundance.
Student speakers Mi-Kerria Shaw, Dion Joefield, and Christine Stewart-Davis followed. Joefield honored his mother, to the approving applause of the crowd. Stewart-Davis encouraged her classmates to “stay the course.” Pointing to her daughters, Shaw delivered the promise she made to them. Shaw went on to focus her classmates on the win, rather than the when.
Backstage after the processional, students and staff gathered their belongings. Two graduates sang and stomped, “We’re done!” June 6, 2024 was the win and the when.