Somers High School Holds Graduation Exercises

On Friday, 141 Somers teens went from being Somers High School students to Somers High School alumni.

Nicholas Coleman, a member of the Class of 2013 who passed away after a tragic car accident, was also honored at the graduation ceremony. Many students wore “NC” pins and decorated their caps with his initials. Coleman’s name was called before the rest of the graduates, and his parents accepted a diploma.

Principal Gary Cotzin said that Coleman was an intelligent kid who excelled in academics and sports and was loved and respected by many. He said that to honor Coleman, the art class created a tribute on the path to the student parking lot, the school memorialized his locker, and students wrote a myriad of farewells to honor him.

“The Colemans have generously established multiple scholarships in Nick’s name so that future graduating classes will always remember the friend that he was to everyone,” Cotzin said. “We will miss Nick, but know that he lives on in our hearts and memories.”

A moment of silence was then held.

Class President Dominic DeFilipi was the first student to speak, advising his peers to listen to the melodies in their hearts and minds.

“Follow the passions that form the symphony of your life, and some day, with a little luck, we’ll all be conductors,” he said.

When Salutatorian Mark Erwin spoke, he brought up how much this class has been through and noted that the students have spent at least 18,720 hours in school - more if they were involved in extracurricular activities or sports.

“So to commemorate this investment of time, we’re going to receive a piece of paper,” he said, making the audience laugh. “But not just any piece of paper, a piece of paper that allows us employment opportunities, access to college, and most importantly, it represents the hard work during our high school years.”

Valedictorian Nicole Gay reflected on her family history and said that through her grandparents’ stories and her parents’ example, she has learned not to take things for granted.

“Instead, I take full advantage of the opportunities I am provided,” she said.

She added that she has the foundation to pursue her goals, even if it requires moving out of her comfort zone.

“I firmly believe that success does not come without risk or sacrifice. Whatever you’re doing, it’s a chance for a clean slate. Take advantage of new prospects, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised at what comes your way.”

Somers High School Social Studies teacher Philip Goduti was the guest speaker, and he told the students to love what they do, not to be afraid to fail, to always be their own person, and to believe in themselves and their abilities.

“Success in life is not something that comes easy, nor is it the same for every individual,” he said. It is up to you to decide what is important. It is up to you to decide how you can make a difference.”

Graduates

A-G: Kristine Aikins,  Julia Alexander,  Luke Alvaro,  Anthony Andrade, Alison Astone, Robert Baumann, Gabrielle Bernier, James Bourque, Sean Bray, Brianna Caraballo, Joshua Caswell, Mark Ceppetelli, Daniel Champiny, Dustin Chapman, Kelsey Charette, Jane Chesley, Thomas Conlon, Ryan Connor, Lucas Cormier, Brendan Coverdill, Emily Dawson, Ryan DeAdder, Dominic DeFilipi, Priya Deonarine, Morgan DiBacco, Troy Donovan, Christa Drummey, Michael Dumas, Nicholas Elia, Mark Erwin, Katelyn Fawthrop, Andrew Fenton, Justin Fiske, Thomas Folan, Marisa Forti, Kyle Foster, Erika Francolini, Samantha French, Drew Gale, Ethan Gaudet, Nicole Gay, Meghan Geib, Brandon Getz, Lucja Greloch, MaiAsia Grimes, Cameron Guerette

H-P: Samantha Hansen, Elizabeth Harland, Christopher Higgins, Zachary Iadarola, Jennifer Jablonski, Britany Jackson, Alexander  Johnson, Jacob Kalinowski, Blake Keeney, Evan Koehler, Krystian Kruzel, Paige LaDue, Victoria Lyons, Carly Maheux, Rachel Mancini, Julianna Masamery, Alixander Maturo, Dylan Maznicki, Shannon McCallum, Sarah McCollum, Brian McDuffee, Kaycee McEwen, Tyler Miles, Dominique Miner, Jessica Minikowski, Connor Mitchell, Jennifer Mongillo, Taylor Morgan, Cameron Morin, Kyle Morin, Kathryn Morrell, Andrew Morse, Lauren Moses, Matthew Moylan, Kevin Murdoch, Kyle Murdza, Sean Murphy, Ryan Nason, Caitlyn O’Boyle, Jordan O’Coin, Kathryn O’Connor, Kylen O’Hearn, Jessica Olynicw, Max Orosz, Sethu Palmer, Sachin Panchal, Emma Panto, Joseph Pantuosco, Cameron Pape, William Paskewitz, Aneta Paszek, James Patsun Jr., Carly Persano, Ellen Pfeifer, Julian Plotkin, Katherine Pruden

R-Z: Tiara Rankin, Thomas Raulukaitis, Colleen Regan, Kayla Renaud, Jeremy Ricard, Kelsey Ricci, Cullen Roberts, John Rockett, Cayla Rossini, Cody Roy, Hannah Ruble, Adrianna Ruiz, Nicholas Salvador, Michael Salzarulo, Julianna Samson, Kayla Savage, Domonique Scibelli, Megan Seagrave, Zachary Servantez, Ryan Shooner, Kelsey Sloan, Heather Smith, Lara Somers, Anthony Sophinos, Marley Stafford, Kyle Stahouski, Zachary Szymko, Christopher Tarbox, Kevin Thomas, Karen Trescott, Eric Trombly, Danielle Turley, Patrick Tynan, Sean Tynan, Jenna Varnauskas, Tim Waters, Madison Wohlers, Matthew Yeske, Nick Zachary