Suffield High School
By Beth Chafetz with info from Jeanne Gee
On a beautiful summer day, the senior class at Suffield High School celebrated their graduation. Walking out to the field to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the SHS Symphonic Band, the Class of 2024 was greeted enthusiastically by family, friends, teachers and administration.
Seniors were addressed by several speakers including Board of Education member Melissa Finnigan, Class President Andrew Bombard, Salutatorian Ava Aube, Valedictorian Emma Conway and their guest speaker SHS English teacher David Orie, who was chosen by the class. Mr. Orie’s speech was wry and well directed with a thrust toward encouraging the graduates to see their time through a qualitative lens, not a quantitative one.
The music provided by the Symphonic Band under the direction of Corey Killian and the SHS Concert Choir under the direction of Anthony Ferreira added greatly to the ceremony.
Closing out the event, diplomas were presented by Superintendent Tim Van Tasel and other school administrators.
Suffield High School graduating seniors celebrate their accomplishments on Saturday, June 8, looking forward to the next step in their careers.
Suffield Academy
By Hillary Cahn
Suffield Academy’s 191 Commencement took place on beautiful Bell Hill on the campus on May 24.
Head of School Charlie Cahn led the commencement ceremony and was joined by Trustees President Fred Powers ‘83 in presenting awards and diplomas to the 109 graduating seniors. Students hail from 14 states and 13 countries including the eight Suffield residents in the above picture.
The commencement speaker was Shabana Basij-Rasikh,co-founder of School of Leadership Afghanistan, which provides access to quality education for Afghan girls. Charlie Chan concluded the event by emphasizing the school’s core values of kindness, respect, and leadership.
These are Suffield graduates who are in the Class of 2024 at Suffield Academy representing the colleges they will matriculate to in the fall. From the left to right: Tess Haines, Bentley University; Sara Welch, Providence; Cameron Cote, University of Miami; Colin Walsh, Michigan State; Jacob Carroll, Villanova; Charlie Riegel, Connecticut College; Maeve Curtin, Richmond (missing Jack Caron).