‘Be tenacious and never give up’
Brien McMahon celebrates 57th commencement
NORWALK — Four years ago, Amelia Mae Becker came to Brien McMahon High School knowing almost no one. The first day was overwhelming, as she rushed from class to class in a swarm of people.
But it didn’t take long before she found her classes and a community — the same group of people she addressed as class valedictorian at Brien McMahon’s 57th annual commencement Tuesday night.
“As we move forward from today, we should aim to teach others to value diversity as we do here,” Becker said. “We should take the lessons of compassion, acceptance and open-mindedness, and share those lessons wherever we are off to on the next stage of our journeys.”
Superintendent of Schools Steven Adamowski spoke of such diversity in his remarks
to the graduating class of 429 students. He said the students encompass a diverse set of values, goals and career aspirations upon graduation.
Ten percent will join the workforce, 2 percent will enter the military and the rest will attend college, ranging from the Berklee College of Music to Emory.
In the school’s recent history, the Class of 2018 is the largest and has achieved the highest graduation rate, at 95 percent, and the most members of the graduating class have taken Advanced Placement classes.
And for the first time, 36 students earned the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy.
“The members of this class have distinguished themselves in the performing arts and the visual arts, athletics and philanthropic work in the community. Proudly, Brien McMahon High is the most diverse school in Connecticut,” Adamowski said. “This diversity and working together has been the hallmark of the class of 2018.”
When reflecting on his time with the graduating class, diversity also came to mind for assistant principal Qadir Abdus-Salaam. He also reflected on the class’s ability to maintain a focus on education, concept of social justice and school spirit in the past four years.
The graduates demonstrated this balance by helping McMahon be- come the first Norwalk school to send students to the prestigious pre- collegiate summer program called Wishbone and to participate in the Developing Tomorrow’s Professionals program designed to create, improve and sustain a young man’s approach to academic achievement, character development, college matriculation and career potentialities.
Another way they exemplified this was when they organized not just one, but two school walkouts to protest gun violence, in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
“The message and lasting impression that I want my students to walk away with as they cross the stage is what you mean to me and how your stories matter to me,” Abdus- Salaam said. “And in the pursuit of your dreams, you must be willing to do the work, build positive relationships, be tenacious and never give up.”
The March 14 school walkout was also a memorable moment for Brien McMahon High School Principal Scott Hurwitz. He witnessed students gathering together and finding their voices, as they patiently and respectfully listened to others.
He urged the graduating class to continue this kind of treatment toward others and to teach those they’ll meet in the coming years.
“Help them to understand that every difference, every difference in this diverse group, is actually a strength. And when you make it a priority, when you take the time to get to know each other, to communicate with one another, to understand each another, all those perceived differences seem to disappear,” Hurwitz said. “You’ve shown us that here over the course of four years. Imagine what you can do out in the real world.”