Students like Kayla Sturgeon, Sha-Ki Holiness and Nina Aldabayeva, all of Commerce, are shining examples of the thousands of students ... in whom we as educators, as a community, should take great pride - especially during graduation season.
SPRINGFIELD — For superintendents, graduation is the pinnacle event of the year. But, commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2013 will hold a special meaning for me because after more than four decades as an educator, this year I have the distinct honor and privilege of declaring the graduates of the Springfield Public Schools.
Daniel J. Warwick is superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools. I look forward to shaking the hand of every graduate as they accept their high school diploma. While I will not personally know them all, I will know of many.
As superintendent, I have spent a great deal of time inside our schools this year. I have seen seniors hard at work in the classroom, and I've also seen them at play - whether on the stage or on the field.
I've heard teachers and principals praise their students' accomplishments, and I've listened as parents and caregivers shared with me their stories about the strengths and challenges our district presented for their children.
So, as that all familiar "Pomp and Circumstance" tune bellows throughout Symphony Hall at each of our graduations this year, the exposures and relationships I've forged with educators, students and parents will allow me to see not a class of graduates but a group of individuals.
Kayla Sturgeon Seniors like Kayla Sturgeon, who transferred to Springfield Public Schools from Minnechaug Regional High School in 2010. Upon her arrival in the district, Kayla immediately took advantage of the prestigious International Baccalaureate program offered at the High School of Commerce, challenging herself to college-level courses, taking on a curriculum that is worldlier in its perspective than traditional classes. With a grade point average above 4.0, Kayla is now confident her IB education has prepared her well for Colgate University, where she is enrolled to start in the fall as a math major.
Sha-ki Holiness Students like Sha-ki Holiness, another High School of Commerce Class of 2013 graduate. An athlete, Sha-ki gravitated towards teachers and counselors at Kennedy Middle and then at Commerce who pushed him academically. In the fall, he will start classes at the University of Connecticut on a full scholarship.
Recently, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Nina Aldabayeva, who is working this semester as an intern in my office. Although she is still a junior at Commerce, Nina is heading in the right direction for her transition to senior status next year.
Nina Aldabayeva A native of Kazakhstan, she arrived in the United States two years ago, speaking limited English. She and her family moved into the city determined to take full advantage of every opportunity afforded by a Springfield Public Schools education.
Nina approaches every field trip, college tour, guest speaker, internship and even every exam, knowing that each one is another step towards her goal. "It's up to you to take advantage of all that you can learn," she says.
So these are a few of the stories that play in my mind when I think of our students. They are but a few of the faces I will look into as they walk across the stage to accept their diplomas. And, they are shining examples of the thousands of students who fill our schools every day, every week and every year; students in whom we as educators, as a community should take great pride - especially during graduation season.
Daniel J. Warwick is superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools; you can learn more about the Springfield Public Schools online at www.sps.springfield.ma.us