A total of 193 eighth grade students participated in a Commencement Program at Ansonia Middle School on June 17 in the school auditorium.
The program was followed by a reception for students and their families.
Principal Amy O’Brien also announced the top two graduates of the class: Yao Dong of Team 8‑East, who gave the welcoming address, and Stephanie Umeugo of Team 8‑West, who delivered the history of the class.
The son of Hui Don and Yuhua Jiang, Yao is a member of the AMS Human Relations Club and works part-time at China Sea Restaurant. He will attend Ansonia High School next year and is considering a career as a computer programmer or engineer. Stephanie, the daughter of Ijeoma and Ikechukwu Umeugo, is also a member of the AMS Human Relations Club, has been a Julian Ann Taylor Scholar, and is involved with ministry for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Stephanie will attend Ansonia High School next year and is considering a career as a medical doctor.
Other speakers during the commencement included Justin Joseph Carotenuto, president of the 8th grade class, who led the Pledge of Allegiance; Assistant Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson, Mayor David Cassetti, and William Nimons, president of the Board of Education. Four students announced the yearbook dedication to Teacher Jessica Bedosky: Millenia Iris Aleksiejczuk-Trinidad, Dominique DeAndrea Finney, Tymagee Bush and Olivia Joy Mitchell-Robinson.
Forty-nine students earned gold seals for earning grades of 85% or higher throughout the year. An asterick before their names indicates those students:
Mr. Izzo’s homeroom: Shayla Barnes, Sabiana Beauchard, Carly Bomba, Jonathan Thomas Conniff, Aliyah Lanaha Garofalo, Khadaphy Hicks, David Kiley, Justin Lopez, Kerrigan Danielle MacDaniel, Jessalyn R. Mcgovern, Jaida Negron, Briana Sunshine Onidi, Arianna Renae Padilla, Benjamin Levi Pardy, Ta’yveon Rashawn Pearson-Coleman, Francesco Pizzola, Isac Saravia, *Courtney Christine Shortell, Edward A. Smith, *Cody Garvin Teodosio, Troy Walker, and Noah Michael Yates.
Ms. Porcelli’s homeroom: *Reginald Serafin Alves, *Jesse Brookins, William Richard Colwell, *Catherine Mary Ann Craig, *Cody Thomas Denice, James S. Fletcher, *Tyler M. Logan, Shawn Maiorino, Trent Mankulics, Emanuel Monteagudo, Brianna Lanice Moreno, Judi A. Palmieri, *Krystal Ann Pellegrino, Gary M. Reeves, Charles R. Rhodes III, Carlos E. Rivera, *Shea Rodriguez, Maria Romero, *Shaquelie J. Rubie, Jordan Santana, *Saimin Hassan Shamim, Alonna Smith, Michael Timothy Stevens, Dylan Trivers, *Jayme Allen Tuttle Jr., *Stephanie Chika Umeugo, Payton Westine, and *Kelly Lynne Zarka.
Mr. Judge’s homeroom: Ilia Bachman, Daniel Bedoya, James Brown III, Arianna Beatrice Colon, Ivan Alexis Cruz, *Olivia Marie Gavin, *Dzenita Hasanovic, Tayshuna Nazhay Jackson, Asjha Jones, Demetrios Kantzas, Josenia Lopez, Lazaro Santiago Lopez, Alexander Grey Madore, David Montanez, Sean Tyler Morales, Terrence Jamal Randolph, Eliezer Junior Rivera, Abel Rodriguez, Hector Luis Roque Jr, Whisper Sanders, Riley Smith, and Shannon Lynn Swannie.
Mr. Jacob’s homeroom: Bethany Rose Armstrong, Tre’ Beall, Atianna La’Rai Bowen, Tymagee Bush, Jonathan Anthony Coriano, Martin Eaton, Allan Gabriel Fernandez, Trevor Dylan Godfrey, Garrett Hallet, Sara Hanaif, Alex G. Hernandez, Flore Doriane Jean, Kylie Jo Koskelowski, Alexander James Medvegy, Olivia Joy Mitchell-Robinson, Kayla Rose Orazietti, Devin Parr, Jasmine Denise Patterson, April Lynn Reves, Sydney Marie Salazar, *Apinya May Sayavong, Kayla Nicole Sutton, and Isiah Christian Turner.
Ms. Durso’s homeroom: *Darien Rafael Acosta, Alesica Andrade, Taylor Brown, Derek Jose Cruz, Terence Gallagher, Imani Leslie Gonzalez, Tyreek Green, Jacob Guzman, Maria Guzman, Crisalin Long, Gustavo Jose Malave, Vincent Malerba, Adrien Marenick, Elijah Erin Martinez, Jonika Blanca Matos, Diana Karina Montoya, Jesse Pavelko, Travis Purvis, Grace Simon, Tamaya Lanise Upchurch, James Matthew Walsh, and *Joanne Xayarath.
Mr. Friedman’s homeroom: Peter Vincent Aquila III, Terrance Scott Burrus Jr, Deshawn Fogle, *Antonio Garcia, Logan Gerrity, Da’Quan Hamilton, *Ekaterina Kazachkova, *Matthew Lexa, Asaira Lugo, Alyssa Lee Mancuso, Michael Miklos, *Elisabeth Molnar, Jason Monteiro, Sharon Morales, Treshaun Markese Kevin Nance, *Carlos Perez, Deonia Talorian Pickett, Victor Manuel Rodriguez, Tache Rose, *Yarimar Everelys Soto, *Sidra Syed, and Tyler J. Vance.
Mrs. Bedosky’s homeroom: *Millenia Iris Aleksiejczuk-Trinidad, *Cameron D. Amato, Justin Joseph Carotenuto, *Yao Dong, *Dominique DeAndrea Finney, *Julian James Guevara, *Tamarrah Mo’nique Haynes, *Michael Jacob Hoisington, *Ben Jesulaitis, *Jocea Jordan, *Michael Constantino LaRovera, Shanley Jeanne Lawlor, Michael Mankulics, Isaias Martinez, Jaylen E. Medina, *Comfort Onuma, *Victoria Vee Ortega, *Destinee’ Felicia Ramirez, *Alexandra Nicole Ramos, Kevin Joseph Rascoe, *Shamyra Beatrice Rivers, *Joshua M. Rodrigues, *Tanysha Mezmerae Sanchez, *Justin Kelso Stewart, Jacob L. Tamburrino, Robert Joseph Weldon II, and Joseph C. Winters.
Mrs. Kitik’s homeroom: Siara Allen, Jonathan Amaro, Deandre Gerrell Barnett, Destiny Blackwood, Melanie Janise Castro, *Elizabeth Jane Cavanaugh, Jason Davis, Katherine DeLeon Morales, *Chloe Simone Echevarria, Austin Goncalo, *Aisalynn Rosalynn Hurd, Butch J. Joyner Jr, *Kaylie Marie Keeler, Daniel Mangado, Gianna Rose Martinez, Jayden Morales, Christopher Domenic Rauccio, Allaurah Rose Ribas, Natalie Rivas, Adrian Ray Robles, Luis Angel Rodriguez, Sebastian David Rodriguez, Glenn Douglas Sampson, *Shafia Syed, Sherrae’ Kiony Terry, Angel Velez, and Khyna Wallace.
Commencement Prizes
Commencement prizes were awarded to Ansonia Middle School eighth graders during a program on June 17 in the Ansonia Middle School auditorium. They were:
Ansonia Middle School Prize, for outstanding scholastic achievement, to the highest ranking graduates: Yao Dong and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
Ansonia Federation of Teachers Local 1012 Prize, for highest average in algebra: Yao Dong and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
Ansonia Administrators’ Organization Award, for highest average in language arts: Millenia Iris Aleksiejczuk-Trinidad and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
Ansonia Middle School Principals’ Award, for special recognition: Jayme Allen Tuttle and Payton Westine.
Ansonia Middle School Science Prize, for outstanding achievement: Yao Dong and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
Raymond Steeves Award, for most improved in academics and citizenship: Tamaya Lanise Upchurch and Eliezer Junior Rivera.
Walter Richter Memorial Award, given by Hilltop Hose Co. #5, for outstanding effort: Peter Vincent Aquila and Daniel Bedoya.
Seymour “Bob” Spanier Memorial Awards, given by Hilltop Hose Co. #5, for improvement in math and volunteerism: Ben Jesulaitis and Kelly Lynne Zarka..
Knights of Columbus – Holy Rosary Council Award, for the most motivated and conscientious: Shafia Syed and Tymagee Bush.
Ansonia American Legion Post 50 Award, for good citizenship, patriotism and spirit: Cameron Amato and Dylan Trivers.
Ansonia Middle School Awards, for outstanding achievement: Alexandra Nicole Ramos and Judi A Palmer (art); Crisalin Long and Jessalyn R. Mcgovern (music); Julian James Guevara and Charles R. Rhodes (P.E.); Kelly Lynne Zarka and Gary M. Reeves (health); Elizabeth Jane Cavanaugh and Courtney Christine Shortell (consumer economics).
Bright Lights Musicals, LLC award, for outstanding drama students: Ben Jesulaitis, Justin Joseph Carotenuto, Kevin Joseph Rascoe and Shawn Maiorino.
ESL Award, for greatest improvement and effort in the study of English: Jason Monteiro and Sara Hanaif.
AMS Social Studies Prize: Elizabeth Jane Cavanaugh and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
AMS Math Prize: Darien Rafael Acosta and Cody Garvin Teodosio.
AMS Spanish Prize, for outstanding achievement in a foreign language: Yao Dong and Stephanie Chika Umeugo.
James Klenota 8 West Award for excellent behavior, perseverance and determination: Olivia Marie Gavin.
Ernest M. Grant Memorial Scholarship Award, to the second highest ranking Black girl and boy on each team: Tamarrah Mo’nique Haynes, Deshawn Fogle, Catherine MaryAnn Craig, and Shaquelie J. Rubie.
