Norwich Free Academy Class of 2023 'worked together like a well-oiled machine'

Matt Grahn, The Bulletin
Updated ·10 min read

Clad in red and white gowns, and well decorated caps, the Norwich Free Academy Class of 2023 is ready to make its way in the world.

The NFA graduation was held on Friday in the Alumni Gym, with chairs on the gym floor and adoring family in the bleachers. There were 520 students who graduated in the Class of 2023.

Along with chorale performances, there were speeches by Head of School Brian Kelly, Ivy Orator Leopoldine Bertrand, and Class Speaker Rachel Orcutt, and Class of 1973 Representative Dr. Vincent Laudone.

Laudone said some things have remained popular from 1973, like Elton John’s songs, and other things have fallen out of fashion, like men’s bell-bottom jeans. Laudone’s message was to prepare for change, whether it’s new technologies, or things in your own life, like Laudone’s own path entering college studying Russian Literature, and ending up in a decades long medical career.

The NFA graduation was held Friday in the Alumni Gym. There were 520 students who graduated in the Class of 2023.
The NFA graduation was held Friday in the Alumni Gym. There were 520 students who graduated in the Class of 2023.

“Individually and collectively, you’ll have to figure out how to navigate this uncertain future ahead,” he said.

There was also a moment of silence for Tyshon Harper, a deceased member of the Class of 2023.

When asked what made the Class of 2023 unique, many referred back to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were “the last class to experience what (high school) life was like before COVID,” said Shane Baran.

NFA 1973 Class Representative Dr. Vincent Laudone said the Class of 2023 needs to be prepared for change in their own lives, and in the world.
NFA 1973 Class Representative Dr. Vincent Laudone said the Class of 2023 needs to be prepared for change in their own lives, and in the world.

“It became a challenge for us to show other kids what Norwich Free Academy can really be like,” he said. “I think we did a really good job of that.”

For Cheryl Goods, the high school social life was the challenging part of the pandemic, going from an in-person school experience, to remote, to back to in-person. Despite this, the class was able to become like a family.

“We work together like a well-oiled machine,” she said.

Despite the pandemic, Shane Baran said the Class of 2023 showed other students "what Norwich Free Academy can really be like."
Despite the pandemic, Shane Baran said the Class of 2023 showed other students "what Norwich Free Academy can really be like."

The Class of 2023 is a rowdy bunch, but they have a lot of camaraderie from what they’ve gone through together, Baran said.

Baran is going to Springfield College to study sports journalism.

“I’m excited for what opportunities are to come,” he said.

Like many of the graduating seniors who personalized their mortarboards, Alexandria Dye decorated hers, making her cap was made into a tribute for her sister, who passed away from cancer two years ago. It shows pictures of them, and proclaims, "This one is for you."

“It’s the only way I could think of to bring her with me here,” she said.

Alexandria Dye's mortarboard is decorated in memory of her sister, who passed away two years ago from cancer. For Dye, it was a way to bring her to the graduation.
Alexandria Dye's mortarboard is decorated in memory of her sister, who passed away two years ago from cancer. For Dye, it was a way to bring her to the graduation.

Dye is going to Three Rivers Community College to become a pharmacy tech. She said she’ll miss her friends and the teachers.

The graduates are:

  • Vincenzo Luca Addabbo***

  • Dianna Marcela Alarcon**

  • Emily Isabella Alvarado

  • Jovan Isaiah Amado-Marquez

  • William Kirk Ambruso***

  • Fletcher Amy

  • Rakina Madly Andre

  • River Lloyd Andrews

  • Rood Pavelt Apolon

  • Aryanna Arias

  • Kaydance Ciccone Arpin***

  • Neissa Augustin

  • Julien Avignon-Bourque

  • Irvin Jonuel Ayala Pascual

  • Colby Jay Ayuyu

  • Azbikahleyann Saintura Badeau

  • Kayla Heaven Bailey

  • Taulant Balidemaj

  • Anthony Ballestrini***

  • LaVeeda Lamara Bannon***

  • Shane Eli Baran

  • Ayddan Francis Baran

  • Summer Elizabeth Barber***

  • Lio Barker

  • Ashley Antonieta Barragan**

  • Julia Christina Barry***

  • Nina Elizabeth Baton

  • Nadia Jamal Bdeir

  • Ella Oakley Bean***

  • Aaron Jacob Beaulieu

  • Caleb Austin Beetle**

  • Imani Lynn Belisle***

  • Jaden Michael Belisle

  • Twyla Rose Bennett

  • Skyler Andrew Bentley

  • Sasha Dea Berdan*

  • Solmarie Ivette Bermudez***

  • Leopoldine Ruth Bertrand**

  • Sarah Elizabeth Betz

  • Brendan Joseph Bezanson***

  • Nicolas Amadeo Biancarosa

  • Medley Fawens Bien-Aime

  • Laurel Sophia Bingham**

  • Jaianna Olivia Blanding

  • Christian James Bletsch

  • Hannah Elizabeth Born***

  • Megan Boucher

  • Grace Cassandra Bowie

  • Chase Ayden Bowker***

  • Nahzeke Khamani Boyce

  • Alexis Grace Boyer***

  • Alanna May Brady***

  • Christian Bray*

  • Seth Alyn Brewer

  • Starlaya Divine Brisbane

  • Alexa Rae Bromley

  • Amare Myles-Lee Brown

  • Danika Anice Brown***

  • Marguerite Rose Brown***

  • Alodie Jolie Brown-Cleckley

  • Alexis Noel Brundige

  • Thomas Angelo Brunelli***

  • Mason Stuart Burlingame McCord

  • Luis Yadiel Calderon

  • Jaelyn Marie Callicutt

  • Nicolas Anthony Camillucci

  • Aiden Gregory Campbell

  • Brhayan Cancho

  • Leila Abby Cancho Mesa

  • Gherin Michael Cantwell**

  • Aaliyah Cristine Cardona

  • Maura Maria Carlos***

  • Riley Stone Carpenter

  • Patrice Nicole Carrignan**

  • Nathaniel James Carrion

  • Michael Carter

  • Alexandra Gianella Castro Soria**

  • Benjamin Matthew Ceccarelli

  • Eliana Cepeda Rodriguez***

  • Aisha Marie Chala Tatis

  • Aimee Kathleen Cheatham***

  • Hayden Chen*

  • Jing Cheng***

  • Zoey Rose Chinn

  • Israel Jacobo Cho Perez

  • Natalia Renee Choruzek

  • Abdul Muman Chowdhury***

  • Aydin Munthasir Chowdhury***

  • Manarat Salma Chowdhury

  • Deklyn Parker Christianson

  • Sunny Ciliano

  • Chelsea Dawn Clarke

  • Evan Frank Coffey

  • Atyana Marie Elizabeth Collelo

  • Aliyah W. Colli

  • Joseph Mark Cook***

  • Kenny Cortes

  • Joseph Liam Cote

  • Calvin Troy Coughlin

  • Ashton Robert Croteau***

  • Lucas Alexander Croteau

  • Tegan Lucas Crowe

  • Nora Grace Crowley*

  • Annastaysia Delia Cruz***

  • Emily Rose Cubanski***

  • Stephanie Marie Daley***

  • Tyler William Danburg*

  • Ash Ember Darrow

  • Blue Davis

  • Joseph Parker Davis***

  • Nirelle Dejah Dominique Davis

  • Rafael De Moraes Rodrigues

  • Aria Nichole DeGrazio***

  • Taina Erica Delva

  • Jayden Micheal Desir

  • Arden Amber Sylvia Desormeau**

  • Mark Andrew Despard III

  • Linda Dieu

  • Ava Do Carmo Chong Kam

  • Louise Doiron**

  • Anna Rebecca Dooley

  • Denali Ellis Doran***

  • David Lee Dozier III

  • Brendan Nathaniel Droesch**

  • Sophia Duarte*

  • Christopher Joseph Dubicki

  • DeAndre Wayne Ducael

  • Eliana Ari Duclos

  • Jenelle Madeline Dumoulin

  • Jose Johan Duran

  • Alexandria Elizabeth Dye

  • Jillian Dykema

  • Nadia Tamar Eaton

  • Sadie Rose Edmond***

  • Brenna Leigh Enslow**

  • Alparslan Erguven

  • Paul Robert Ericson

  • Megan Grace Erinakes

  • Derrick Enrique Espinal

  • Francis Jin Althea Angeles Estrella**

  • Liecelle Sta. Ana Estrella

  • Maliyah Marie Exum - Santos*

  • Daniel Alberto Fajardo*

  • Jaiden Alexander Farland

  • Nicole Fatone

  • Sarah Elizabeth Fedeli

  • Christopher Thomas Fedor**

  • Julia Mae Feinglass***

  • Logan Andrew Ferando***

  • Airiel Elizabeth Fletcher

  • Ashlynn Grace Fontaine

  • Joanna Forvilus

  • Kadiana Mya Foster**

  • Coleman Harris Frawley

  • Samuel Joseph Frawley

  • Katelyn Friday***

  • Lauren Stephanie Friedrich***

  • Erin Lee Frommelt***

  • Madysen Teagan Fuller***

  • Madilena Casey Fusco

  • Mathis Joseph Alexandre Gagnon

  • Geraldo Enrigue Gallego

  • Abbigail Grace Garrison

  • Zack Anthony Garrison**

  • Gillian Gergulics*

  • Brandon Michael Ghattas**

  • Aasiyah Lee Gibbs

  • Matthew Emory Gil

  • Olivia Michelle Gilliard

  • Gianna Mia Gizio

  • Michael Anthony Gomes

  • Nickita Kripa Gomes***

  • Julissa Gomes-Normil

  • Lauren Gonsowski**

  • Cassidy M. Gonzales

  • Sadie Luis Gonzalez

  • Jayden Antonio Gonzalez

  • Cheryl Ellyse Goods*

  • Anna Jayne Gosselin

  • Natalia Anne Grant***

  • Jaylen Clyde Larnell Gravely

  • Kylah Erika Green

  • Andrew Conlan Grice

  • Sean Grice***

  • Emily Yocasta Grimaldi

  • Alexander Joseph Groome**

  • Catherine Elizabeth Grube***

  • Dante Salvatore Guarnaccia***

  • Juan David Guzman, Jr.

  • Austin Hallissey-Cloutier

  • Sophia Maria Hamel*

  • Elizabeth Brianna Harris

  • Jonathan Blake Hart

  • Cadence Elizabeth Hastings

  • Samara Heben

  • Ethan Matthew Heinsz

  • Parker Heinzelman

  • Samantha Heinzelman

  • Olivia Glynnis Henry**

  • Lavohn Darren Henson

  • Haley Herman

  • Luis Davier Hernandez

  • Chloe Sofia Herrick

  • Arianna Grace Hill

  • Vianey Hinostroza

  • Katrina Evelyn Hitchcock***

  • Eden Joy Hlavac*

  • Chanel Renee Holland

  • Kurtis Douglas Holland

  • Gabrielle Elizabeth Hood

  • Darly Chala Santos Horst-Loy

  • John Harlan Howe***

  • Danytza Janice Huarancca Arellano***

  • Destiny Lynn Hughes

  • James Hunnicutt

  • Faith Insalaco**

  • Hope Insalaco

  • Ashlin Jessica Ivan

  • Jaiden Xavier Minzy James

  • Donnivan Simbai Jameson-Sithole

  • Austin Richard Jedele

  • Saige Riley Jeznach

  • Yonghong Jiang

  • Jazmary Jimenez**

  • Juliana Skye Johnson

  • Thomas Quinn Johnson

  • Alicia Joinville

  • Sayvion Rahmell Jones

  • Tatiana Monae Jones

  • Rony Junior Joseph

  • Avery Shaunessy Juhola***

  • Kylie Dorathy Juhola***

  • Rosemica Jules

  • Constantino Peter Kapilotis

  • Evan Keith

  • Jake Alberto Kenney***

  • Carly Marion Killingsworth

  • Reuben Xavier King***

  • Shamus Finnean Kirby

  • Noah William Paul Klein***

  • Don A. Kobis

  • April Mackenzie Kopetz

  • Avery Morgan Koziol

  • Brianna Danielle Kreder

  • Gabriella Victoria Krzywicki***

  • Kara Kuang***

  • Mia Elisia Kupeka*

  • Hannah Wisdom Kwon***

  • Jephte Sebastien Labonte

  • Samantha Madaline Labonte

  • Logan Blaize LaFleche*

  • Hunter Jaimes Landen

  • Maddison Katherine-Ann Langlois

  • Ava Marie Lapointe***

  • Laika Michelle Laroche

  • Renee Desiree Lavallee

  • Sarah Grace Lavoie

  • Aalianah Marie LeBeau*

  • Felesha Naceto Lee**

  • Stephen Zhi-Hung Lee***

  • Yulming Lee**

  • Zane Ashton LePage

  • Alexander Antonio LeSage

  • Riley Nichole Levine***

  • Alvin Li**

  • Jeffrey Li***

  • Alex Anthony Linicus

  • Lillianys Karielys Lisboa Mateo

  • Keny Aracely Lobos Perez

  • Aryaah Loftis**

  • Tanisha Lopez

  • Alizabeth Marie Lopez-Torres

  • Aleksandra Lopez-Zenon

  • Giselle Lormy***

  • Francisco Lucas Tipaz

  • Quinn Minei Ludlow

  • Wayne Daniel Lumene

  • Grace Luty***

  • Carter Jaymes Lyon

  • Molly Elizabeth Macomber

  • Hayden John Madden

  • Jared Joseph Madden

  • Ryan Thomas Magrey

  • Lejuan Isiah Maignan

  • Jancarlos Javier Malave

  • Ethan Joseph Manfredi***

  • Leah Marie Manke***

  • Zachary Manosh-Hicks

  • Isabella C. Marciniak

  • Annalise Carmela Marcuccio

  • Rachel Constance Martin***

  • Yovany Allen Martinez

  • Yaniles Alondra Martinez Diaz

  • Pakiza Masood***

  • Jade Nicole Mateo Padilla**

  • Keira Lynn Matthewson

  • Melody Paige Matthewson

  • Christopher Michael Maynard

  • Catherine Starr Mayo

  • Emma Dawn McAvoy***

  • Jacksen Hugh McCane

  • Kathleen Mary McCarthy***

  • Natalie Elizabeth McClure***

  • Ryan Mark McDonald***

  • Joseph James McDonald

  • Celina Danielle McMahon

  • Ethan William McMahon***

  • Duncan Patrick McNaughton

  • Alexander Dimitri McQueen

  • Shaleisha Adina McQueen

  • Taylor Bree Meakem

  • Evalyn Deloris Mendez Etzig

  • Abel Misael Mejia Leon

  • Caitlin Nicole Menje

  • Jonathan Omar Mercado

  • Arelis Nicole Merced

  • Zubair Miah

  • Ciana Monet Mitchell

  • Tzvetelina Plamenova Miteva***

  • Christopher William Montalvo

  • Carina Schantta Violetta Montero**

  • Serenity Jade Moore

  • Luis Junior Morales Aliceas

  • DaJaeh James Morgan

  • Laryensky Moricette

  • Davon Austin Mosley

  • Chloe Lynn Murray

  • Hailey Murray

  • Malcom Xavier Anthony Murray

  • Quest Xavier Negron-Ceron*

  • Logan Matthew Nelson

  • Alyssa Lynne Newson***

  • Bailey Ann-Marie Nichols

  • Mason Nixie

  • Kendall Grace O'Bryon

  • Sarah Anne Oles

  • Allyson Nicole Olivares

  • Rachel Hannah Orcutt**

  • Jeniel Jeriel Orengo

  • Adriana Yanely Ortega**

  • Alana Ivette Ortiz

  • Leila May Osorio***

  • Tomasa Magdalena Osorio Ajpop

  • Jada Isabelle Elon Otero

  • Anita Jean Owen

  • Galo Philip Pagan

  • Kathryn Anne Page

  • Nancy Leticia Palomino***

  • Melisa Vicenta Palomino

  • Andrew David Palomino Soria

  • Michael Parashin

  • Aryan Roshan Patel

  • Krish Anillbhai Patel*

  • Claudia May Patterson*

  • Jeremiah Pablo Paul

  • Trinity Alexis Paulk

  • Tyler Michael-John Pazin

  • Aracely Mary Perez

  • Amanda Perez***

  • Francis Marie Perez

  • Ashley Perez Chavez

  • Kieran Falman Perpetua***

  • Marissa Marie Perry

  • Alli Kaye Pestey**

  • Delaney G. Phelps

  • Jasmine Noy Phoumindr

  • Stanley Pierre

  • Romero Asher Pierre Louis Seraphin

  • Emerie Pimentel

  • Alexandre Pina Correia

  • Tanner Avery Piscatelli***

  • Mayiki Niska Dorothy Plainbull***

  • Bryson Andre Plante*

  • Pluto Pollard

  • Javeis Anthony Powers

  • Brandon Kojo-Poku Prempeh

  • Alyssa Renee Prentice

  • Gianna Marie Previti*

  • Charlise Lanae Price

  • Ahmuni Yvonne Pringle

  • Cassidy Lyn Provost**

  • Zackary Paul Provost***

  • Tommy Lee Puckett

  • Jamie Laura Pugliese***

  • Gael Puncharam

  • Amber Phila Racklyeft***

  • Magdely Maydoni Ramirez Orozco**

  • Zachary Francis Redanz-Swett*

  • Jalyn Reed***

  • Athena Rose Retherford*

  • Adrian Reyes

  • Alejandro Reyes-Velasco, Jr.

  • Donovan Xavier Richards

  • Aislinn Elizabeth Richmond**

  • Anna Katherine Ricketts***

  • Caleb Miguel Rios

  • Christopher Mario Rios

  • Brandon Rivera***

  • Danny Rivera Quinones

  • Alysha Arie Robinson*

  • Dayanara Aracely Rocha

  • Denzil Guillermo Rodriguez

  • Gloria Rodriguez

  • Jonathan Jose Rodriguez

  • Ketxiara Nacheliz Rodriguez Gonzalez*

  • Ramdy Lionel Rodriguez Perez

  • Chase Anthony Rogers

  • Isis Julianna Rojas

  • Cameron James Romains

  • Paula Roxanna Romero Romero

  • Lorensca Romilus

  • Brianna Lynn Romine

  • Brett James Rondeau*

  • Danny Rosa-Ortiz

  • Aaliyah Nadine Rosado

  • Joshua Rosado, Jr.

  • Reilly Rutherford

  • Hannah Jane Sabukewicz

  • Ewyn Michael Sadler***

  • Wadler Saint Justin

  • Negasi Saintil

  • Kianna Marie Sanchez

  • Briaylin Ramon Sanchez Martinez

  • Alberto Sanchez Reyes

  • Gianna Lynn Sanders

  • Angel Vincente Santaliz Martinez

  • Jaylene Santana

  • Edwin Yariel Santana Hernandez

  • Michelle Shaniya Santiago**

  • Nicholas Christopher Miguel Santiago

  • Emersyn Lee Savage**

  • Juliette Elaine Savignac***

  • Nicole Maria Schulze**

  • Hailey Sierra Scott

  • Halie Anne Seidel

  • Aether Iroh Seils

  • Taylor Patricia Semmelrock

  • Noah Zachary Senat**

  • Santos Nikodemus Serrano Coon

  • Marissa Scott Sharbuno

  • Lena Shea-Wallwork

  • Valentina Similien

  • Cam'Ron Charles Sinvil

  • Emily Ann Sisco

  • Michael Lee Smith, Jr.

  • David E. Smith

  • Davon Evan Smith

  • Djanhoiy Bayna-Lehkem Zion Smith

  • Liang Maria Smith***

  • Elijah Edward Smith Bell

  • Gabriela Soto*

  • Achim Mario Souvenance

  • Kass Spalding

  • Jeremiah Micheal Speedwell

  • Olivia Elise Spruill

  • Darnell Marcus St. Lot

  • Sage Ryan St. Francis

  • Alexis Helena Stamper***

  • Kody Mathew Starr***

  • Angelique Mickailah Stewart

  • Sabrina Ann Strickland

  • Joseph Elias Suddy***

  • Mayank Jayeshkumar Surti***

  • Colby Michael Tackling*

  • Kiarrah Anjanay Talley

  • Xuriah Marian Talmadge

  • Jairson Dalomba Tavares

  • Giovanny Rafiel Tavarez

  • Brady Joseph Taylor

  • Chloe Elizabeth Temple

  • Justin William Terry**

  • Carissa Monica Testut***

  • Evan Curtis Tetreault

  • Alise Samarah-Le Thomas

  • Liam Joseph Thurman

  • Eude Sarodj Tonton

  • Yisaira Lyn Torres

  • Matthew Domingo Torres Espinal

  • Brenden Stoddard Tracey

  • Norah Brooke Tracy***

  • Jake C. Trahan

  • Albert Joseph Trombley***

  • Jaiden Bonnie Trudelle

  • D'Ajahne Ashala-Marie Tunstall

  • Christopher Turner

  • Diego Eliseo Tzampop Lobos

  • Bridget Morgan Vezina***

  • Ryan David Vicich

  • Leiandra Aurora Brooke Vining***

  • Kyla Nicole Viveiros

  • Angelica Nanthithan Wade**

  • Wren Walker

  • Madison Shay Walker-Medina

  • Alysa Hailey Wasilewski***

  • Emma Rose Wasilewski***

  • Cameron Joseph Watson

  • Samia Jemya Watson

  • Gage Samuel Weber***

  • William Oliver Lloyd Weinkopf

  • Stephanie Michelle Wells***

  • Shanelle Kya Whitfield

  • Anh Janell Lasette Williams

  • Edward Reynolds Williams

  • Ethan Harrison Williams

  • Rileigh Brook Williams

  • Tyler Joseph Williams***

  • Jayden Riley Williamson

  • Terrence H Wong

  • Jadaan Lemar Wood

  • Joanna Wu***

  • Kelly Wu***

  • Justin Xu

  • Shiqin Yang**

  • Magdalena Marisol Yoc Velasquez

  • Morgan Averee Yon

  • Olivia Mary Ann Yu***

  • Brandon Allen Zamarron**

  • Yutong Zeng***

  • Xiangyu Zhang***

  • Jiayi Zhou***

***Summa Cum Laude **Magna Cum Laude *Cum Laude

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy class of 2023 graduation held in Alumni Gym