Congratulations Emmett O’Brien Technical High School Class of 2024!

ANSONIA — Emmett O’Brien Technical High School’s Class of 2024 embarked onto their futures Thursday (June 13) as the newest generation of aspiring chefs, carpenters, machinists, healthcare workers and various other trades they’ve worked hard to prepare for over the last four years.

The 179 graduates filed onto Nolan Field to the sounds of ​“Pomp and Circumstance,” while bleachers packed full of proud parents, friends and others cheered them on. Crossing through a balloon arch, in the school’s colors of green and gold — the girls, clad in gold caps and gowns and the guys in green — took their seats in the center of the field.

School Principal Laurie Lebouthillier lauded the class for the hard work they’ve put in and the skills they’re taking with them, which run the gamut from culinary arts, carpentry and cosmetology to HV/AC, health technology and engineering.

“These young adults, our future leaders, are not only prepared and qualified, but also eager to make their mark on our economy and society,” Lebouthillier said.

Class Valedictorian Niyah Newell encouraged her fellow classmates to embrace their futures with hope and optimism.

“We are entering a world filled with endless possibilities, where the only limits are those we impose upon ourselves,” she said. ​“Step into this new chapter with courage, resilience and a steadfast belief in your ability to make a difference. Be open-minded. And most importantly, strive to be agents of positive change.”

Niyah also reflected on the passing of fellow classmate, Jeremiah Valle, who tragically died in a car accident in January. The class paused for a moment of silence and dedicated the song ​“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth in his honor.

Class Salutatorian Alanisse Mauricio-Rodriguez thanked her parents, family, teachers and friends for their support from the very beginning of her school career as a kindergartener to standing at the podium, about to graduate high school. 

“We started off in elementary school reading picture books, and as we grew older we moved on to chapter books,” she said. ​“Now, as we are closing one chapter of our lives and turning the page to a new one, we take our first steps down divergent paths. Some of us will further our education by attending a four-year college, or begin a career in our chosen trade, or even join the military. Whatever it may be, each one of us must continue working hard to achieve everything we set out to do.”

Alanisse admitted being a little nervous for what’s to come, but knowing the class persevered through a global pandemic, losing loved ones and other challenges, she’s certain they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.

“Looking ahead I’ll admit I’m nervous, and maybe a little scared for what life has waiting for me. But the future isn’t something we enter; the future is something we create,” she said.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti, an EOB alumnus, drew some laughs with his speech.

“As you may know I am a proud graduate of Emmett O’Brien Technical School class of 1979,” Cassetti said. ​“That’s 45 years ago. It feels like only yesterday, but it makes me ancient in high school terminology. I don’t know about you, but is there anything worse than an older adult trying to be young? Hashtag not cool.”

Cassetti drew inspiration from a quote from Henry Ford.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Following a few more well-wishes from Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, state Rep. Kara Rochelle and state Sen. Jorge Cabrera, Lebouthillier and members of her staff presented the class with their diplomas.

Here’s a list of the 2024 graduates provided by the school:

Paulo Abrantes

Erik Adams

IIliana Alicea

Aaron Almonte

Yuri Amorim

Joseph Baklik

Tierney Baldwin

Sherlyn Barahona

Benjamin Baran

Kevin Barrios

Madeline Bazso

Sabrina Beck

Denver Beland

Moises Beltran

Brianna Benno

Joseph Boanno

Cadence Bolduc

Karon Borges

Krysteena Botelho

Dimitrius Bouphavan

Hope Brannen

Lindsey Brown

Quest Burey

David Cabrera

Amiyah Capers

Christa Cardona

Suanny Cartagena

Alan Catalan

Caden Chapman

Matthew Childs

Amanda Cintron

Michelle Cintron

Isaac Colon

Justin Conroy De La Rosa

Ryan Cornish

April Crisanti

Kailey Cruz

Gianni Cuccuru

Alicia Curry

James Daniels

Isaiah DelValle

Elias DeSousa

Jake Dodge

Dustin Dorizzi

Justin DuPaul

Alexa Fearnley

Kaelanny Feliciano

Jacob Fernandes

Connor Foster

Jake Franco

Emily Frey

Giovanni Funicello

Marco Futie

Gabrielle Garcia

Juliana Garcia

Marilyne Gilbert

Casper Gola

Shaddai Gonzalez

Dylan Greenlaw

Shawntel Hanley

D’Andre Hargrove

Navoni Harris

Christopher Haselkamp

DeAnna Hebert

Mia Hernandez

Sean Hollis

Davius Irizarry

Adrianna Jackson

Noah Jackson

Abigail Jarrett

Danielle Johnson

Brandon Jurgens

Aiden Kaether

Victoria Kettles

Anthony Kezer

Anthony Knox

Joseph Kohut

Sean Korchinski

James Korowotny

Alexia Korzen

Megan Koslowski

Joseph Kuskowski

John Kwalek

Cody Langhans

Connor Leahy

Tabitha Lee

Jadalise Leon

Tyanna Lewis

Saiivion Littlejohn-Belcher

Patrick Lizotte

Jaime Lloret

Victoria Lodygo

Mackenzie Logie

Diana Lucero

Jovany Macedo

Elena Magliochetti

Natalia Maine

Ryan Marrero

Kaelyn Martir

Alanisse Mauricio-Rodriguez

Symone McClain

Connor McKenna

Janeli Mercado

Gavin Mikucki

Matthew Miller

Brielle Moore

Suvon Moore

Jose Morales

Gianna Moramarco

Nathan Nevers

Niyah Newell

Skaii Newell

Dylan Andre Novicio

James Novicio

Edward Nowinski

Nicholas Olivera

Naomi Ortiz

Shaian Ortiz

Jefferson Padilla Rosales

Donte Palacios

Sapphire Pension

Louie Pierro

Aidan Plavecki

Kacper Podsiadlo

Michael Powell

Alexandre Queiroga

Gabriel Queiroga

Anthony Queiros

Jenna Re

Christina Reillo

Joseph Rezende

Rylie Rhodes

Giovanni Riccio

Benjamin Richard

Edward Richards

Gianna Rivera

Ryan Rizzio

Kailyn Robles

Jenna Rodriguez

Robert Rogucki

Christopher Romero

Rojelio Romero-Flores

Mariah Roque

Analise Rosen

Paula Salazar

Michael Sampieri

Cody Scheurich

Dylan Sekelsky

Ava Sharkey

Edward Sharkey

Ryan Sheehy

Carson Sisbarro

Jacobb Slauson

Leneri Snow

Patrick Solsbury

Dave Sosa

Alivia Stewart

Wyatt Summ

Ava Tamburrino

Stephanie Tamburrino

Mohammad Tariq

Sara Tatroe

Shyzeria Tedder

Kaden Thomas

Alexander Torrens

Nyana Torres

Ayiana Valentin

John Vallejo

Joseph Virgalla

Reese Walker

Reily Walker

Bailey Wheeler

Trevor Worobel

Victor Wysiecki

D’Onna Yates

Jason Young

Nathan Zack

Jadyn Zdru