The New London High School Class of 2008 speaker Shiniqua Flanders looked at her 168 fellow graduates and reminded them that through four years they have matured from juveniles to adults.
“You’re still family,” she said, “and we are getting together one last time.”
The 56th commencement at NLHS took place last week at a packed Scanlon Auditorium, as the latest class of Whalers for life sat on the stage with local school administrators and dignitaries.
Board of Education President Alvin Kinsall reminded the class of their unique bond as NLHS graduates.
“Next year you may be Huskies or Camels,” he said, “but you will always be Whalers.”
Around 7 p.m., Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clouet led members of the NLHS administration clad in academic regalia down the middle aisle.
Shortly thereafter the graduates began the march to the stage to thunderous cheers, masking the actual thunderstorm that raged outdoors throughout the ceremony. University of Florida-bound basketball player Alan Cheney, who is also an honor student, stopped to hug someone sitting in an aisle seat, sending his mortarboard to the ground.
After all the graduates took their places on the stage behind the curtain, the lights dimmed and a curtain drew back revealing the class of 2008.
NLHS Principal Daniel Sullivan welcomed the audience and asked graduates to think to around the time they were born, in the early 1990s.
“A George Bush was in the White House,” he said, to not a few boos. “The Soviet Union collapsed, and Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson.”
Sullivan, like the other speakers during the ceremony, was difficult to hear due to a crowd that insisted on talking throughout the commencement.
Sullivan then introduced class president and valedictorian Norman Harrison, who told his classmates there was “nothing to be sad about.”
“We have had happy memories,” he said.
Sullivan then welcomed commencement speaker Roger Christiansen, a member of the NLHS class of 1970, who now directs the Hannah Montana television series.
“At NLHS, Roger was member of the A/V club and also led a May Day walk-out to protest the dress code,” Sullivan said.
Christiansen, who grew up on Winchester Street but now lives in Los Angeles, freely admits he was not the best student.
“I was happy riding my motorcycle, hanging out at Ocean Beach, and listening to the Reducers,” he said. “But you can come from New London and go on to have a career in Hollywood.”
Before the ceremony, the class of 2008 assembled in the cafeteria to sign yearbooks, take pictures, and share some hugs.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Kisbel Corniel, 18, said she is “very happy” to be graduating.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” she said. “I feel I’m ready for more responsibility.”
Maria Moises, 17, came to New London in the eighth grade and said that time “has gone by really fast.”
Casey Davis, 19, said he is looking forward to attending the New England Institute of Technology next year to begin his architecture degree.
“I feel like I’ve come a long way,” he said.
Jordan Chappelle, 17, was thankful for her time at NLHS, as she was a transfer from Norwich Free Academy.
“People here were so welcoming,” she said. “I can’t believe this day is here.”
The New London High School
Class of 2008
T. Robert Acosta
Justo Emmanuael Aquino
Amandda Lee Asher
Anthony C.Basilica
Genesis M. Bell
Berny Bernadeau
Jona Bernadeau
Vanessa Gabriela Blanco
Justin Bleau
Marie Claudine Bossa
Eleazar Jeremiah Braboy
Mya C. Brooks
Ian Brown
Tasheenah Brown
Travon Brown
Calan Jarrell Bryant
Arnold Campbell
Kenneth Capers
Jonathan Jose Carrasco
Jessica Cartagena
Johanna Estefania Chacon
Allan Chaney
Jordan Taylor Chappelle
Landon M. Clarke
Kisbel Corniel
Miguel Costas
Krystal M. Cruz
Kwinie Cupidon
Casey Davis
Mia Lashae Davis
Jose Alberto De La Cruz
Christopher Deltoro
Agam Pal Dhir
Carlos Y. Diaz
Jocelyn Diaz
Ronelle Lavon Drayton
Johrdyn Chrystine Eckard
Brittney Renee English
Jetzayra Jeannette Escalera
Stacey Ann Fearon
Miguel Angel Figueroa
Jesse D. Fitzpatrick
Shiniqua Allanana Flanders
Austin K. Free
Shan Gamble
Yessenia Gerena Jimenez
Mark Allen Giesing
Matt Goldstein
Diana Milena Gomez
Ana Noemi Gonzalez
Dominique Justin Griffin
Elijah Griffin
Sheala Guess
Samuel Guiney
Jaime Junior Guzman
Julio A. Guzman
William Harris
Norman Harrison
Contessa Camiel Hernandez
Quarshivikia Shontel Hill
Rashad Hill
Liandra Marie Hodge
Paul Hodge
Rayshawn Hudson
Rakieem Kareem Humphrey
Kerwin Irizarry
Fabiola Jean-Louis
Kristy Lea Jennetta
Howard Keith Johnson
James Kevin Jones
Zara Lane
Ruz Nereyda Linares
Shanequa Nicole Littlejohn
Manuel Lucena
Robert Maldon
Shanice Malloy
Melanie Enid Martinez
Joshua McArthur
Grover L.McClenathan
Darryle McClinton
Charles C. McDonald
Kevin L. McKinnon
Janay Nicole McLellan
Maria Moises
Justine Antonia Monte
Daniel S. Morgan
Nigel Dashaenne Moses
Rosangela Mota
Nashawn Dell Muller
Taylor Renee Nicholson
Tatiana Pamphile
Mason B. Peabody
Rahmel W. Perry
Angel L. Reyes
Roxana Rivera
Kurt Robinson
Jared A. Roderick
Hector Rodriguez
Adelina Josefina Rondeau
Jose Rosario
Leonardo Miguel Sanchez
Rafael Santiago
Victoria Seliger
Erika Leslie Shaw
Chemire Kalet Singleton
Jasmine Ysenia Stakley
Grecia Suriel
Muhammad Tahir
Jerome Merrell Taylor
Shadai Terry
Jahmarrah Thomas
Yajaira Yanise Vega Rivera
Jennifer Marie Verde
Herbert Villarini
Ashley Marie Welch
Tyron White
Kenneth Michael Williams
Rasean Williams
Brendalyn Wilson
Earl Stephan Wilson
Adam Wrighten
Jessica Yanez
Jose Javier Zurita