Graduates Walk Over Stereotypes and Into Success

"You contributed to the kids you see here today," Principal Tommy Thompson III of the told school staff on Monday evening.

Dressed in green and gold, graduates from the school as well as the exited the corridors of onto the Tempel Green to celebrate their academic and life achievements.

According to Thompson, the class of 2011 amassed $580,000 in scholarships. Of the 186 graduates, 136 will continue to college and six will enter the military.

Thompson recognized the ROTC program as within the top 10 percent of programs in the Northeast, and the basketball team, with a record of 27-0.

He referred to New London as a tale of two cities, with million dollar homes and a fair share of poverty within six square miles. He shared his own story of understanding these extreme perspectives.

“It was Christmas while I was a student at New London,” he said.  Thompson went with his mom to visit Santa at the New London Mall and a child jumped into his lap, age nine.  “The child asked for a mattress.  Not a bike or a model rocket.  The child wanted a place to sleep.”

According to Thompson it’s a reality that is not uncommon with students here today and it is because of these challenges that they are stronger.

“Aim high, commit to goals and help others along the way,” he said.

John Diaz-Saez, the president of the class of 2011, admitted when he was given this position, that he was dreading this day to give a speech. Diaz-Saez said the students sitting here today fought to be here.  “So they could sit here today, sweating through their gowns,” he said.

 “You have all left and will continue to leave a legacy of achievement and fine character,” said class speaker Ami Dhyani. “Our future seems to be destined in capable hands.  The vast majority of students aimed high and set their goals. For the most part achieved or surpassed them.”

Dhyani said each student should take the time to appreciate and thank the people who helped them be here today.

“As you walk across the stage to accept your diploma, remember it does not end here, it is just the beginning,” she said.

The Class of 2011 valedictorian followed the theme of the success of his peers while giving his speech.

“I see a world in which success is abundant,” he said.

Thompson introduced the guest speaker of the evening, Tiana Hercules. According to Thompson, Hercules is the eldest of nine.  She graduated from NLHS, continued to Connecticut College, and finally to the University of Connecticut School of Law. 

Hercules began with the Webster's dictionary definition of graduation as simply an award or diploma for academic achievements. To her it is more than that.

“You symbolize an image of hope, you personify perseverance and break down barriers,” she said. “You’re a vessel where stereotypes are destroyed and dismantled.”

Hercules shared her own journey through school and growing up in New London through her passion to give a voice to the voiceless.

“I was inspired by equal right activists and applied real world experiences to the classroom,” she said.

Currently, Hercules is an advocate on behalf of the elderly and the poor.

“I am very happy to continue to aspire to pursue success.  I had to not only look for opportunities, but create them when they did not exist,” she said.

Hercules challenged the class of 2011 to make the community, the state, and the world a better place.

“I urge you to accept this challenge.  I see excellence in this class, and the world awaits your contribution,” she said.

Superintendent Nicholas Fischer shared a few personal stories with the crowd of students who have had to overcome adversity and hardships to be able to sit in their cap and gown. Yeraldine Guzman moved to New London from the Dominican Republic five years ago and knew only a little English, Fischer said.

Today, according to Fischer, Guzman sits with a 3.5 GPA, finishing 15th in her class all while working a part-ime job at a local supermarket that allowed her to support her family.  She will continue to UConn to study nursing or medicine.

Fischer continued with a story from graduate Michael Kydd. According to Fischer, Kydd came into the guidance counselor’s office and said his girlfriend was pregnant and the baby was due in April.  He sits with the class of 2011 as a member of the National Honor Society, he is 13th ranked in the class and played varsity basketball. He will continue his education at Bryant University to study accounting.

“He is a loving father, loyal friend, and distinguished man,” Fischer said.

Alvin Kinsall, the president of the New London Board of Education, conferred the diplomas and offered a few final words to the graduates.

“We only hope the skills at New London High School will become the foundation of skills used for the rest of your lives,” he said.