New Graduates Celebrate Their Success

The town's newest high school graduates marched down the aisle in the Stratford High School auditorium Thursday night, rather than the traditional trek across the football field.

But for the 24 students, the march for their high school diplomas had been long enough. And the cheers from their families and teachers were every bit as rewarding.

The event was the 27th annual commencement for Stratford's Continuing Education program, which offers adults who never graduated high school for whatever reason an opportunity to earn their equivalency diplomas.

Jennifer Greenberg, one of the student speakers, said her high school career took a detour because of attendance and personal problems. She had been working in a restaurant for a year before she decided to return through the program.

"It opened my eyes to see what I was capable of more than this," she said.

She graduated with honors and hopes to enter college in September.

Shamecca Panton said none of them reached commencement alone, crediting her family, friends and fellow students with everything from arranging rides in bad weather to keeping her going when she felt like quitting.

"We can accomplish anything we put our minds to - just stay focused. Keep the faith," she said. "Tonight is proof of that."

Graduates were welcomed into the auditorium by the Stratford High School Band under the direction of Mark Ryan. Speakers included Kristen Record, the Bunnell High School teacher and Connecticut's reigning Teacher of the Year, as well as Michael Feeney, the chief operating officer for the schools.

Following the speakers, all were called up individually to receive their diplomas from Superintendent of Schools Irene Cornish. The graduates then turned in unison toward the audience and applauded their family and frineds who had seen them through before adjourning to the school lobby for hugs, pictures and celebrations.

Stephanie Offenbach had a cheering section and a study partner in her 12-year-old son, Kevin Cottrell.

"We would do homework together," Offenbach said

And did Kevin ever have to help mom with her homework?

"I wish," he said. "She always said no."

Student honors included Evans Akinola and Edwens Edmond, who received the Certificate of Achievement, given to students who achieve academic excellence in all subjects, and who demonstrate strong effort, excellent attendance and commendable attitude.

Edmond also received the Roy T. Essery Award while Greenberg received the Catherine I. Essery Award. Both are given for scholarship, a commitment to goals, compassion for fellow classmates and exemplary leadership.

During his speech, Richard Hageman, interim director of the program, said their experiences can encourage them and others facing challenges in the future.

"You came back and saw it through to the finish," he said congratulating the class of 2011. He compared them to inventor Thomas Edison, whose image was on a poster on the stage.

The poster, which normally hangs in the guidance office, states that it took Edison nearly 10,000 attempts to find the right combination of materials for the light bulb.

"He never gave up," Hageman said.