Photo By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
(Left to right) Class president Alleyanna Marie Figueroa and class valedictorian Ezel Hena Arslan.
ANSONIA – Ansonia High School’s Class of 2025 know a little something about working hard.
Not only did the graduating seniors bear witness to their beloved Chargers scoring two state football championships and three cheerleading championships during their four years at AHS, on Saturday (June 7) they celebrated the culmination of their education in Ansonia.
Under gray skies, that at times gave way to some sprinkles, the class, clad in blue and white caps and gowns filed onto DeBarber Field at neighboring Seymour High School. Commencement was moved to Seymour this year because Nolan Field in Ansonia –where the graduation traditionally takes place – is undergoing construction.
Proud moms, dads, siblings, friends and others, clutching bouquets of flowers and bunches of balloons, filled the bleachers, cheering and sounding bull horns as the seniors passed under a blue and white balloon arch on the center of the field.
The AHS choir sang the National Anthem and school theme song “Lavendar,” as principal Paul Giansanti welcomed everyone to the hour-long ceremony.
Giansanti boasted that the graduates will embark on their next chapter by entering the work force, joining the military or attending 74 different colleges and universities where they’ll pursue majors from criminology to computer engineering.
With the Walter Camp Connecticut High School Player of the Year, Quintez Whittle, in their midst, the graduates were encouraged to remember their hometown pride.
“No matter where life takes you, you’ll always be a Charger,” Giansanti said.
Class Valedictorian Ezel Hena Arslan, who plans to major in molecular and cellular biology for the pre-med track at UCONN this fall, urged her peers to embrace the future with bravery, kindness and to never shy away from taking a risk.
“It’s often the willingness to take risks that shape us the most,” Ezel said. “For me, it was joining basketball when I had never played before. It was learning a language when I didn’t think I could. At the end of the day, even if our plans don’t work out like we had hoped, they will still teach us valuable lessons and give us the courage and experience to say ‘yes’ to the next challenge.”
Ezel thanked her parents, teachers and administrators for their unwavering support.
“As we part ways today, remember that growth starts where comfort ends. Be curious. Be courageous. Be kind. And most of all, become the person you’d be proud to look back on.”
Class president Alleyanna Figueroa expressed her gratitude to everyone from her parents and siblings to the unsung heroes – the school custodians, cafeteria workers and support staff. She encouraged her peers to give 110 percent to everything they do. Alleyanna will attend Rutgers University to study pre-law and play softball.
“To my fellow classmates, build your village. You all have found yours within our school through sports, clubs and academic excellence. From two football state championships to three cheerleading championships, you have all felt the energy of winning and having a family. Take that into your everyday lives and build off of it.”
Finding inspiration from a fortune cookie, Alleyanna left her peers with some simple advice.
“Your happiness is your responsibility,” Alleyanna said. “Congratulations to the Class of 2025. You may now turn your tassel.”
Mayor David Cassetti said he’s confident for what the future holds for the grads.
“Go out there. Speak up. Be bold. Be kind. And above all, keep learning. Your future is waiting, and something tells me, it’s going to be incredible.”
Superintendent of Schools Joe DiBacco asked the class to hold onto their Charger pride.
“Chargers, take care of one another, do good and be good to one another and always stay Ansonia strong,” DiBacco said.
Here’s the list of AHS Class of 2025 graduates:
Delvin Darnell Allen, Jr.
Reynaldo Alvarez
Alexandra Amaning
Kayla Nichole Ambrocio
Isaiah Andujar
Chase Khareem Antrum
Justin Steven Arcentales
Ezel Hena Arslan
Ivy’Anna Kaylanii Blake
Eli Bordoy
Makyla Dhalis Brown
Garett Thomas George Bryan
Christopher Uriel Bryce
Jett Anthony Cariolo
Dontae Carter
Curtis Michael Cenatus
Julie-Ana Jade Chambers
Romero Terrance D’Angelo Charles
Chloe Chonko
Dante Orion Cochrane
Omar St. Christopher Coke
Leonel Eduardo Constanza
Madelyn Dayana Constanza
Marcus William Cotto
Xavier Jachi Coverson-Twyne
Lilliana Lee Crawford
Jayden Crenshaw
Madison Lynn Crockett
Anthony Culmone
Makayla Rose D’Alessio
Joseph Manuel Davis
Angel Dcosta
John De Los Santos
Delon Degrammond
Emmanuel E. DeLeon Morales
Caleb DeLeon
Ethan Delvalle
Asha M. DeProfio
Kasee Ann Discepola
Adrian I. Duchimaza
Justin Duarte
Blondie Duvelson
Iyanna Simone Eaddy
Jeremiah Eads
Cailyn Edwards
Brandon A. Ellison, Jr.
Andrew Endres
Maya Espin
Alonna Ewell
Aaliyah Liz Figueroa
Alleyanna Marie Figueroa
Jazyah Keyiree Flowers
Katherine Mishell Freire Tito
Glenda Elizabeth Galvez
Jadelynn Celine Garrido
Kimerlyne K. Gaye
Chloe Alannah Geoghan
Aydan Gibson
Devin Glenn
Natalia Gonzales
Merelyn Yovana Gonzalez
Lyona Joesphine Hainsworth
David John Hall III
Madison Joy Hall
Ibrahim S. Hanaif
David Anthony Hayward
Luz Gisselle Hernandez Domenech
Carlos Hernandez Moreno
Iyanna Janay Horner
Jayden Jackson
Martin Jaramillo
Lory Adell Jean
Tavares Jefferson
Brooke Noelle Johnson
Jayvon Jacob Lee Johnson
Karisma Jones
Gabriella Librandi
Dominic J. Lupo
Jermaine Maebry
Scott Makowski
Jaden Manning
Sydney Ann Marcinko
Nohemy Marisol
Eric Marowa
Derek Ean Marrero
Bettie Elena Mastrantoni
Myzon Martin
Ayden Mercer
Rashida R. McKoy
Sanaa Lillian Middleton
Khadija Mariell Miller
Zoey Olivia Miller
Amaya Mills
Joseph Misenti
Arian George Mohseni
Alana Morell
Hailey Muzzi
Jade Mweze
Deon E. Newton
Mario Nichollas Oliveria
Mary E. Padin
Anthony Edward Pagano
Bryanni Palacios Silva
Elmer Andres Perez
Jayvin John Perez
Amanda Jade Pressley
Jose’ Gabriel Quiñones-Garcia
Mia Bella Reyes
Matthew A. Riccardi
Jasmine Rose Richards
Carolina Rivera
Alle’jah S. Robertson
Agapito Rodriguez III
Diego Rodriguez
Manny DeJesus Rodriguez
Meilany Ivette Sanchez
Jaden Santamaria
Yazmarie Santiago
Jennifer Anahy Santos Perez
Zohra Sarwari
Tyler Severino
Cellyanne Grace Silverio
Reese Isobel Shuart
Ruiz Somoza
Matteo Xavier Sorrentino
Bryan Soto
Damian Spears
Kendell Eric Stroman
Dennis Suggs
Tulley James Szost
Shamoia Taylor
Elijah Thomas
Angela Torres
Jorden Jose Torres
Justin Torres
Makailee S. Torres
Jaden James Tucker
La’Mya Turner
Sara Tyer
Jaylen Lance Tyree
Talan James Uhlig
Lilly Elizabeth Ullrich
Manny DeJesus Umanzor
Nathaniel Lionel Ronald Varecka
Nigelliek K. Vigo
Karla S. Villegas Ortiz
Sh’Nyah Shaunice Whitfield
Quintez P. Whittle
Juliana Jaylee Xayasone
Dante Xavier Yakabowskas
Sarai A. Young
