Seniors at BRHS celebrated their graduation on June 25. While getting ready before the ceremony, many students agreed they were nervous and excited.
“I’m feeling very excited because I accomplished so much. I’m also very nervous about talking in front of everyone,” Anastacia Vidot, the valedictorian, said. “I look forward to seeing my parents in the audience because I want them to see how far I’ve come and thank them.’’
Anastacia, who will major in psychology at Hunter College, has high hopes for the senior class.
“I’m so proud of the seniors and I want them to know that it won’t be easy from here. but I hope for the best for everyone,’’ she said.
Marisa Rana, the salutatorian, is happy to graduate with 54 credits. “I look forward to seeing everyone graduate,’’ she said. “ I plan to go to Hunter College, majoring in accounting. I also want to get a job. My final words to the class of 2024 are to always stay strong.’’
Michael Cordero felt good about graduating as a new student to BRHS in his senior year. “In my time here, it has been a bittersweet experience, he said. “People have been fake, and the school definitely has favorites. But overall, the classroom experience was pleasurable,” Michael said. “My advice would be to not do drugs.’’
During the ceremony, principal Greg Fucheck praised the class of 2024 for sticking together for four years. “What makes you guys unique is that at the end of your tenth-grade year, there were 114 of you,’’ he said. “ Now, there are 110 of you here today. That means that 104 of you here have been together since ninth grade,” he said. “It’s so hard saying goodbye to students that are like children to us,” he added.
Shavon Evelyn, the senior guidance counselor, looked back on her four years with the seniors. “I was excited and a little nervous to get to know you,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes I want you guys to remember is ‘Life keeps throwing me stones and I keep finding diamonds, ” she said.
“We’ve enjoyed so many triumphs, you showed support for each other and the adults in your lives,’’ she added. “From NXs (an incomplete) to college classes, you guys have made it. No matter what your next step is, I want you to power through your challenges. Take care of yourselves and live your best lives, champions.’’
During the graduation ceremony, students received a variety of awards. Mr. Fucheck presented two awards in honor of Ryan J. Walsh. Gael Chavez received the $500 Ryan J. Walsh Scholarship in Government and Andres Garcia earned the $5,000 Walsh Scholarship in U.S. History. The student leadership award was given to William Lappe, and the principal award was given to Rinaldo Castillo. The Blanche Schwartz award was handed to Darnell Mozon-Francis. The New York State Office of the Attorney General Triple “C” Award was presented to Karissa Singh and Lorenzo Melita.
Issaka Kabore, Taniya Freeman, Carlos Cruz Jr., Randy Amparo, and Karen Vinanzaca received the New York City Comptroller Achievement Award. The David Ollivierre Scholarship Award was granted to Isaiah Jenkins and Jamecia Freeman. Christi-Alexis Cisse, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, received the school’s journalism award. The Exceptional Attendance Award was handed out to Alexandra Lee and Emily Holguin. Lastly, the Student Council Award was given to Mouloukou Fadiga, the president; Marisa Rana, the treasurer; and Fabian Mangual, Rinaldo Castillo, and Jacob Figueroa, the senators.
Congratulations to the following graduates:
Mais Alreen Abdullah, Nyla Acero, Rawan Ali, Randy Amparo, Samaralee Baez, Christopher Banks, Ashly Hernandez Batista, Maurice Berkeley, Justin Blandon, Keishaun Bowers, Kevin Brito, Brandon Burgos, Rinaldo Castillo, Gael Chavez, Fahim Choudhury, Christi-Alexis Cisse, Michael Cordero, Carlos Cruz Jr., Rochelly De Leon, Vincenzo DeAngelis, Danly Duverge, Charlotte Espinel, Mouloukou Fadiga, Josiah Fairley, Brian Florentino, Supreme Forman, Jolie Francis, Darnell Mozon-Francis, Taniya Freeman, Andres Garcia, Bryan Gomez Alvarado, Evan Gonzalez, Melany Gonzalez, Kyle Gutierrez, Shahidul Haque, Emily Holguin, Briana Hutchinson, Isaiah Jenkins, Issaka Kabore, Duaa Kassim, William Lappe, Alexandra Lee, Blas Leon Lucio, Nikauli Liranzo, Jasmerline Liriano, Sanaaya Lopez, Kadija Makanera, Perla Maldonado, Dylan Maloney, Fabian Mangual, Wilexis Marcano, Handerson Marte-Reyes, Anthony Martinez, Lorenzo Melita, Jaden Milander, Latisha Miller, Estefany Moran, Dariela Morillo, Daniel Mullins, Farid Nasir, Jerome Norman, Symone Oliver, Frailyn Rodriguez Ortega, Dylan Palacios, Qualik Paniagua, Carlos Nieto Payan, Ivan Pena, Anjelee Perez, Yancarlos Perez, Ariel Quiles, Kelly Ramirez, Marisa Rana, Elsa Rayo, Braderid Rivera Jr., Ashley Rodriguez, Osvaldo Diaz Rojas, Felix Romero, Israel Santiago, Liam Sargent, Karissa Singh, Azzurede Strong, Cynthia Suarez, Chase Taylor, Anisa Teng, Jean Triunfel, Jerramiah Urena, Anastacia Vidot, Karen Vinanzaca, Amerie Williams, Miguel Wint, Kevin Young, Breanna Yuen and Raymond Zapata.
