News Item
Summer Students Graduate from Monticello High School
August 2009
August 17 was probably just a
regular Monday for most people, but not for Monticello High
School teen Deon Smith – for him, it was the beginning of a new
life.
After many years of struggling to get through school, Deon
received his high school diploma with 17 other students during a
modest commencement ceremony in which he shared his story in a
speech to his classmates.
“I’ve had to fight many uphill battles and learn a lot of
lessons,” said Deon. “As I stand here today, I must truly thank
those who believed in me and helped me make this dream come
true. Now my mom can be proud that her only child has graduated
from high school.”
His journey is one in which many of the other summer graduates
could identify. For example, Domenica Accomando fell behind in
her schoolwork during her freshman year due to some tough times
- but she worked hard and managed to catch up and finish the
last credit she needed to graduate. In the fall, she plans on
attending Sullivan County Community College to begin her studies
in
Criminal Justice.
Graduating senior Alexis Williams was motivated to finish her
last class in summer school because she wanted to make her
father proud. Her plans include working as a dairy farmer in the
family business. Daryl Gandy has joined the Navy – Pedro Ruiz
will study to become a graphic designer – Lisa Kinred will begin
her new clerical job at the Sullivan County Government Center –
the list goes on and on, as one by one, each teen was handed
his/her diploma and congratulated for a job well done by
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel.
Alumni
speaker Monticello Judge Josephine Finn summed it up best when
she told the small crowd of graduates to never forget the
perseverance that got them there today and to always remember
“that a dream delayed is not a dream denied.”
Congratulations to the 2009 Monticello High School Summer Graduates: Domenica Accomando, Philip Cain, Heather Carmack, Michaelo Celis, Ayesha Daniels, Darial Fasenntao, Daryl Gandy, Spencer Jacobsen, Lisa Kinred, Geraldo Montes, Dara Perlman, Pedro Ruiz, Kaitlyn Segreto, Deon Smith, Salvatrice Stephen, Luis Torres, Alexis Williams and Tamika Willis.
Photos:
#1 - Monticello High School Principal Arleene Siegel
congratulates summer school graduate Deon Smith. Also pictured
are Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel and summer
school Principal Greg D’Ambrosio.
#2 - From left, parent Darlene Smith sits with family members
Sarah Atherly and Tariq Amin as she watches her son Deon
graduate from high school. She expressed how this day has filled
her with overwhelming happiness and she is very proud that Deon
has decided to continue his education and attend Delhi
University in the fall.
#3 - Monticello High School student advocate and summer testing
coordinator Debi Fasce surrounded by graduates, from left, Pedro
Ruiz, Gerardo Montes, Domenica Accomando, Daryl Gandy, Lisa
Kinred and Alexis Williams.