
Contributed Photo
The top three Ansonia Middle School graduates.
ANSONIA — A total of 173 eighth grade students participated in a Commencement Program at Ansonia Middle School (AMS) on June 7 in the Richard Nicolari Auditorium. The program was followed by a reception for students and their families.
Interim Principal Steve Marchetti also announced the top graduates of the class: Julia Kaye, valedictorian; and salutatorians Thamara Benavides and Matthew Haas. The students delivered addresses during the commencement program.
Julia, daughter of Thomas and Genevieve Kaye, was a member of the AMS Student Council, the National Junior Honor Society, and the Human Relations Club. She was the recipient of a graphing calculator earlier in the year. Her community work includes making sandwiches for homeless shelters and assisting at Holy Infant Church in Orange. Julia has participated in basketball and dance for most of her life and also enjoys playing golf and drawing. Her advice to next year’s eighth grade class is, “Have fun but take your work seriously.” She will be attending St. Joseph’s High School and is interested in becoming a graphic illustrator.
Thamara, daughter of Melinton Benavides and Thamara Gonzales, was a member of the AMS Student Council, the National Junior Honor Society, the Human Relations Club, and the Best Buddies Program. Outside of school, she enjoys drawing, playing the piano and tumbling. Her advice to next year’s class is, “Do your work, pay attention in class and don’t fool around.” She will be attending Ansonia High next year and is interested in pursuing a career in the business field.
Matthew, son of Melissa and Kurt Haas, is a member of the AMS Student Council, the National Junior Honor Society, and the Yearbook Committee. He received an honorable mention from the Ansonia Historical Commission Essay Contest. Matthew is a member of the Shelton indoor soccer program and the Ansonia U‑14 travel soccer team. In the community, he serves as a Youth Deacon at the First Church of Christ and is a member of the Youth Group, which undertakes service projects such as serving the needy. His advice to the new eighth grade class is, “Always work hard, be prepared, stay organized, and get involved in school activities.” He will be attending Ansonia High in the fall and is interested in pursuing a career as an electrical engineer.
Other speakers during the commencement included Mr. Marchetti; Gabriella Scarlata, who led the Pledge of Allegiance; Christina Sardo and Brooke Yezik, who announced the yearbook dedication to teacher Jordan Bshara; and congratulatory remarks by Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and State Rep. Kara Rochelle. Teacher Jessica Gomez-Bedosky spoke about the National Junior Honor Society, and Assistant Principal Amy Cosciello announced the award recipients. Dr. Carol Merlone, retiring Superintendent of Schools, presented the graduates, who are listed below. An asterisk appears before the names of the 34 members of the National Junior Honor Society:
Jayden Abrams, Adriana Acevedo, Janai Albelo, Cadence Alicea, Jake Allen, Randy Alston-Brown, Jacob Ambrocio, Roscoe Anderson-Benton, Mcarthur Antoine, Jada Artis, Carlos Ayala Mendez*, Celeny Ayala, Luis Balaguer, Reina Balonze, Joseph Barbera, Thomas Barragan, Nathaniel Beall, Thamara Benavides*, Ryan Bergen*, Xaiver Bolanos, Malachi Bracey, Jackie Brown*, Javarr Bryant, Angel Burgos, Jenna Cabral, Colin Cepeda, Evan Chen*, Natalee Chrzanowki, Tiffany Cole, Madison Colwell, Mia Cortigiano, Monteral Crews, Aliyah Crosby, Ashley Crute*, Tiffany Cruz, Jeiliany DeJesus, Nasir Diaz, Veronica Diaz, Jessica Dingee, Nestor Diroche, Shelby Douglas*, Giuseppe Eaton, Dylan Ellison*, William Endres*, Nicholas Fahy, Aniya Garcia, Jeferson Garcia, Yarely Garcia*, Tianna Gause, Joshua Gellatly, Mia Georgis, Treighton Godfrey, Te’Nasia Gonzalez, Litzy Gonzalez-Sandoval*, Eileen Guzman, Matthew Haas*.
Viviana Ham Breeden*, Medina Hanaif, Mekhi Henton-Garrett, Daniel Hernandez, Johnathan Hewitt, Pearl Hindes, Emily Houley, Megan Howard*, Matthew Hurley, Ariyah Johnson, Kai’re Johnson, Christopher Kaminski*, Endri Kamolli, Julia Kaye*, Kassidy Keeler, Tristan Kerekes*, Colin Klesyk, Hali Langer*, Monica LaPlante, Tyler LaRiviere, Eniyah Lawrence, Kallie Legere, Michael Leopardi, Jonaah Levey, Samone Lindsay, Angel Lopez, Dalyla Lopez*, Jalyla Lopez, Leonardo Luciano, Trinity Lyons, Christyan Mais, Alexandra Makowski, Anthony Malino*, Emily Marganski, Briana Marrero, Ayari Marrow-Sistrunk, Alannah Martinez, Stephanie Martinez-Santos.
Michael Mascia, Chelsi McCall, DeyJohn McGhee, Carl McIntyre, Mekhi McNeil*, Jayden Mendez, Alexis Mendyk, Cherish Miller, Alianna Mills, Anthony Misenti*, Yazlyn Molina, Matthew Mongillo*, Elijah Montgomery, Chanelle Moore, Mariecruz Morales, Karolina Morrell, Diamond Moss, Tyler Myers, Leonardo Navarrete, Sabrina Ortega*, Nathan Ossie, Derek Owens, Eva Pace, Aleksandra Papajani, Madyson Parisi, Mailin Perez, Leonardo Perez-Santana, TahJae Pike, Erik Pinaloza, Emily Pollock, Jaylen Pope-Durant, Josiah Pratts.
Nicholas Quiles, Seliena Ramos, Ke’niya Randolph, Sierrah Ray, Tracey Ray, Jacob Riley, Rameses Rivera, Erin Rodney, Yordy Rojas, Skyla Roman, Alexander Romanowski, Janesse Rosado, Jaden Saleh*, Jonathan Salgado, Jailyn Santana, Cristina Sardo*, Gabriella Scarlata*, Christian Schloemer*, Jacob Schmidheini*, Ja’siyah Scott, Aidan Sheehy*, James Sherman, Angel Sierra, Avantae Simmons, Jake Skurat*, Jake Sobolisky, Destiny Steeves, Ashley Suarez, Anthony Sullivan, Philip Taylor, Jahmir Tucker*, Nico Turpin, Devin Urso*, Dana Usarz, Jacob Vasas, Julia Vieira-Goncalves, Ariana Vinueza, Khalil Walker, Elijah Williams, Jonathan Williamson, Jayden Wilson, Nashae Wright, Luan Xavier, Brooke Yezik*, Janae Yumiceba, Jordyn Zealor, Madison Zealor.