ANSONIA – The next generation of aspiring chefs, carpenters, cosmetologists, electricians, engineers, health workers and mechanics stepped into promising futures Thursday (June 25) following Emmett O’Brien Technical High School’s annual graduation ceremony.
The Class of 2026 – the girls clad in gold caps and gowns and the boys sporting green caps and gowns – marched onto Nolan Field to the traditional sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Proud parents, friends and other well-wishers, armed with cameras, flowers and bunches of balloons, packed the bleachers and cheered the graduates on. The class crossed under a green and gold balloon arch before taking their seats at the center of the field.
School Principal Laurie LeBouthillier welcomed all to the ceremony, which included several local officials and state tech school dignitaries. She lauded the 123 seniors for their work ethic and growth over the last four years and their perseverance in gaining skills that’ll take them directly into the workforce, to college and the military.
Alice Pritchard, executive director of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System told the class their hard work earned them the skills they need to succeed in life.
“One of the best parts of my job is when I get to tell employers and higher education institutions that our students are ready for whatever lies ahead,” Pritchard said.
Class Salutatorian and Class President Abigail Rogucki, who also served as emcee of the festivities, spoke of how her fellow classmates entered the doors of EOB on Prindle Avenue as freshmen, unsure of themselves. Through hard work and growth, Rogucki said she and her classmates gained the confidence, knowledge and skills they’ll need to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
“We are breaking out of our shells and stepping into the light, ready to take on the world,” Rogucki said. “To our future tradesmen and women: You are the builders, the creators, and the fixers. As you take flight into apprenticeships and job sites, you carry the literal blueprint of our future.”
Class Valedictorian Madelyn Kellogg spoke with anticipation about what the future holds for her fellow grads.
“We are not only graduating with diplomas, we are graduating with skills, certifications, experience and the confidence to step into careers, colleges, apprenticeships, the military and opportunities that are already waiting for us,” Kellogg said. “Whether we become healthcare professionals, electricians, carpenters, engineers, cosmetologists, HVAC technicians, mechanics, chefs, or pursue any other path, we have been given the tools to build our futures.”
Kellogg left her fellow grads with some parting words of advice.
“As we move forward, I encourage you to be ambitious,” Kellogg said. “Take risks. Continue learning. Support one another. Chase the goals that excite you, even when the path ahead seems difficult. Most importantly, never underestimate what you are capable of achieving. The future is waiting for us, and I cannot wait to see what we accomplish.”
Ansonia Mayor Frank Tyszka lauded the tech school for preparing students for success.
“You’ve trained in fields that build our communities, power our industries and shape the future. That is something to be proud of,” Tyszka said. “Your training has prepared you not just for jobs, but for meaningful roles in the life of our community. Whether you’re entering the workforce, continuing your education or exploring new paths, remember that your skills matter. Your voice matters. And your future is wide open.”
Once all the speeches were done, and the final diploma handed out, the Class of 2026 took part in the traditional turning of the tassels on their caps and headed off the field to Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and into bright futures ahead.
Here’s the list of graduates provided by school officials:
Emmett O’Brien Technical High School, Class of 2026
Henry Adams
Emily Aguilar
Alivia Aubin
Sydney Aviz
Auben Baez
Samuel Baran
Orion Barnum
Julian Barone
Dylan Beck
Evan Beland
Gabrielle Berlin
Brionah Bolduc
William Borowski
Fabian Boston-Randolph
Shea Brickett
Joshua Brunetto
Trey Burgess
Kaliyah Burrell
Victoria Burton
Tyla Carey
Emily Caron
Charles Casey
Ahviana Castrillo
Robert Chambers
Liana Class
Jayden Colon
Ariana Connelly
Anthony Corker
Arnaldo Cortes Jr
Moises Cruz
Kayllie Dapp
Taj-Anthony Davis
Amy De Aza
Jael De La Cruz
Ava DelValle
Andrew DeSousa
Dewayne Dickson
Sabrina Discko
Draven Engler
Elina Estrada
Jack Ewen
Stephen Fainer
Grace Faria
Joseph Faryniasz
Joseph Fedele
De’Quan Fogle
Ameechi Frazier
Pedro Henrique Galbim
Argenis Garcia
Ethan Gengo
Jason Gonzalez
Diana Gonzalez-Stevens
Damian Gosk
Zachary Grant
Jose Gutierrez
Makhi Heard
Dominic Holloway
Dylan Holm
Grace Jaworski
Wayne Jensen
Zander Johnson
Madelyn Kellogg
Maeve Korchinski
Nicholas Kulikowski
Joseph Langston
Ethan Lavoie
Jacob Lawrence
Rocco Lia
Brody Lombardo
Bruno Lombardo
Cassidy Lombardo
Isabella Lopez
Shawn Lucas
Alistair Markoya
Tyler Marzulli
Madison McGuire
Christopher Mendez
Piper Jane Nagurney
Bryan Newberg
Julia Nosworthy
Matthew Ober
Jacob Palacios
Betyna Peixoto
Ry’Asia Phillips
Jayden Pitts
Matthew Place
Joseph Provenzano
Nyla Quashie
Kyle Re
Alona Reboira
Jace Ribas
Brian Richard
Christian Rinko
Jalyse Rivera
Kristina Rivera
Angelise Robles
Daniel Rodriguez
Abigail Rogucki
Cody Ruggiero
Ezra Segelman
Thomas Sims
Malik South
Jaela-Shea Springer
Stephanie Stendbergh
Patrick Szczypta
Roger Thomas
Jonas Thorne
Justin Tompkins
Roselyn Torres
Jacob Tucker
Makayla Tufaro
Casmir Uszakiewicz
Noel Velazquez
Vina Velez
Damian Villamil
Samiya Villanueva
Matthew Vivar-Gonzalez
Cody Waite
Aleczander Walsh
Landon Weller
Jaylen Williams
Andrew Zullo
Jacob Zuraw