'The ride is not easy': 116 graduate from Windham Tech

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Jun. 21—WILLIMANTIC — Speaking during her graduation ceremony Friday night, Windham Technical High School Valedictorian Tanya Parra- Sanchez compared high school to a train ride.

" The ride is not easy," she said. " There may have been times when your train broke down."

However, Parra- Sanchez emphasized the importance of learning to " overcome obstacles" and taking risks, as her peers did during high school and will continue to do during their lives.

116 people graduated from Windham Technical High School during a graduation ceremony in the Eastern Connecticut State University gymnasium Friday night.

In addition to the core subjects, Windham Tech students chose one of the following fields to study: automotive, carpentry, information system technologies, health technologies, electrical, precision machining, culinary, sustainable architecture and H.V.A.C.

Parra- Sanchez urged her classmates to become the "best versions of ourselves."

Windham Tech Principal Eric Hilversum called for a moment of silence in memory of 17 year- old Willington resident Isaac Davis, a member of their class who died in June 2021.

Davis was driving on Mansfield City Road when the car swerved off the road and crashed into a tree, according to state police.

According to state police, two passengers in the vehicle, 16 year- old Willington resident Jaylin Mateychuck and 17 year- old Mansfield resident Ali Naider, received " suspected" minor injuries during the accident. Mateychuck and Naider were transported by Mansfield ambulance to Windham Community Memorial Hospital in Willimantic.

In Davis's memory, members of his carpentry class built a bench that was placed in the school courtyard.

" I wish I could use up all my time telling you what a wonderful person Isaac was," Class President Yahir Aleluya Romero said. " Isaac left us with memories we will all cherish."

Senior Class Adviser Lynn Proto said the class has been through a lot, but their high school time ended on a couple of " really good notes."

" The message that I'm going to leave you with is short and sweet," she said, advising the graduates to

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