On June 14, Branford High School (BHS) celebrated the 201 members of the BHS Class of 2023 with an enthusiastic commencement ceremony that was often punctuated with deafening cheers from a capacity crowd which included parents, family and friends.

Arriving behind the Hornet mascot and members of Branford Public Schools (BPS) leadership and the Board of Education (BOE), the BHS Class of 2023 paraded into the commons in caps and gowns of Hornets red, as the BHS Band performed Pomp and Circumstance.

Serving as master of ceremonies, BHS principal Lee Panagoulias introduced Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez to give his welcoming comments. Hernandez, who will retire this month after 13 years of district leadership, continued his tradition of reading a short letter he’d written to the graduating class.

“To be human is to reflect and to learn. May you always do both,” Hernandez said. “Tonight, you receive your diploma, but you also cross a threshold as you separate from BPS and remember the many lessons you have learned. I encourage you to dream big and to be a ‘we thinker’ on existential issues or on matters that make our world better. Your exceptionality is emerging, and the world needs you.”

The Class of 2023 also received a message of congratulations and advice from BOE chairman Peter Berdon.

“Tonight is an important and significant milestone in your educational journey, a journey that has prepared you not only to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape, but also to be advocates for change, to be torch bearers for justice,” said Berdon.

Among the rapidly changing technology, six months ago, the rise of ChatGPT became a part of their lives, making users capable of “... pulling information from the world’s stores of knowledge in seconds,” said Berdon.

Noting that BPS students are prepared to enter the world with knowledge, a sense of empathy, compassion and a desire to make a difference, Berdon said, “...today, we stand at a critical juncture, where the potential for technology intersects with the urgency of social and environmental issues. It is within your power to leverage technology to address these challenges head on. Use the tools at your disposal to create a more equitable society.”

In the tradition of the district, announcements from the stage revealed the names of the BHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Also, in following with past district commencement practices, the graduation program did not include a Valedictorian's speech. Panagoulias announced BHS Class of 2023 Valedictorian Alya Bagdas and Salutatorian Kevin Zuniga, who were brought onto the stage to receive recognition for their achievements.

"Through hard work, perseverance and a love of learning, these two students have achieved the two highest grade point averages in our senior class," said Panagoulias.

The night’s commencement also awarded honorary diplomas to six members of the BPS community, described by Panagoulias as “...five very special BHS faculty and staff members and one Superintendent of Schools.” The recognition was bestowed upon Hernandez, John McColl (Fine Arts), Mary June Champagney (Business, Practical Arts), Clare Torelli (BHS Receptionist/Support Team), Kevin Connell (Social Studies), and Stephen Brown (Science). Honor escorts were students Caroline Johnson, Polina Grushina, Matthew Morgan, Melanie Wagner, Hannah Jackson, Nathan Chieffo and faculty member Dianne Dadio. Panagoulias provided messages of appreciation and a summary of achievements for each retiree.

“The BHS community is a better place because of the compassion, talent and student-centered approach of these six professionals, and we sincerely wish them the best in their future endeavors,” said Panagoulias.

Class of 2023 advisors Delia Kropiwnicki and Ryan Roberts presented the 2023 Faculty Key Award to senior Nicholas Schettino. The annual award is the highest faculty recognition bestowed on a member of the graduating class.

"It is awarded to a graduate the faculty believes demonstrates personal growth over time, the high ideals of unselfish service to their school and community, concern for others, and most important a love of learning," said Roberts.

Class officers Tyler Hernandez (Social Chair) and Harrison Smith (Treasurer) presented the Class of 2023’s message of thanks and Advisor Recognition to Kropiwnicki and Roberts.

Class of 2023 vice president Liv Shpitalnik introduced class president Ryder Kropiwnicki to give the Class President’s Message. Kropiwnicki reflected on the windows of time through which the Class of 2023 had viewed their shared experiences as students. Certainly one aspect of that time involved the challenges of the pandemic entering their lives as freshmen. While Kropiwnicki even joked about students’ wondering whether their classmates could discern they had only bothered to be half-dressed for school during months of remote learning, he said,“...let this not only be a speech about Covid. Let this be about windows where we met, that we looked out through, and the wonders held beyond the walls of BHS.”

He described the latter metaphorical window as one that represents “everything yet to come.”

“On one side of the window, the potential of joy and sadness, ups and downs, successes and hardships await. On the other side sits you and me comfortably nestled with past experiences that made us. As high school comes to an end, we get a better glimpse of the world waiting for us outside our window. We see the many paths in front of us, and hopefully, we see an endless world of possibilities. Because it’s there for all of us. It’s time to look outside, put on some pants, and join the world. Find the steps that will lead you to where you want to go, and what you want to be, and take them,” said Kropiwnicki. “Remember to be kind to each other and to our earth. Remember how amazing you are, how you are capable of anything you dream to be or do. You just have to open a window and reach for it.”

Class of 2023 secretary Taylor Tracy introduced the night’s commencement speaker, selected by the class officers: BHS Social Studies teacher, Model Congress co-advisor and tennis coach David Gruendel.

Gruendel said he was truly proud to have been selected as speaker and honored to have the opportunity to talk with the Class of 2023 in this moment, so shortly after sharing high-fives in the hallway as they prepared to march into the room.

“It is something that is going to forever connect you with me as a class and this moment,” said Gruendel of those high-fives.

Asking them to briefly close their eyes, Gruendel encouraged the Class of 2023 to think about the happiness, excitement, relief, and possible nervousness they may be experiencing.

“I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment for all that you have done to get yourself here. I want you to think about those who helped make this day possible for you. I’m certain that friends, family and maybe even some teachers and staff members are in your thoughts. With them in mind, I like you to open your eyes, stand and turn, and give these people a round of applause,” he said.

Gruendel also advised the graduates to carry with them the concept of expressing gratitude to others, and the motivation to continue to give back to others.

“As you begin to take your place in the broader world, I want you to be a part of something that is bigger than you. Something that you will give of yourself to. I want you to assume responsibility for giving back, even if just a little,” he said.

He encouraged the class to take risks, challenge themselves, to live with passion, try new experiences, to “...do your work remembering ‘good enough’ is the killer of ‘great,’” and to be fully present in life.

“In short, live that one phrase you have heard often and loudly in the hallways: ‘Look up and join the world,’” Gruendel told them.

Before presenting the Class of 2023 to receive their diplomas, Panagoulias shared his sentiments about the special group of students before him.

“Over their four years, they have represented our community with distinction, and achieved a great many things under the most challenging of circumstances,” said Panagoulias.

He shared the results of his recent survey asking the seniors what they were most proud of during their time at BHS. Their answers revealed “...how truly talented and accomplished the group that sits in front of us is,” Panagoulias said.

“A few things became very clear. First, they appreciated the teachers, staff, coaches, family, and community that support them on their journey. Second, they need to have authentic learning experiences in and out of the classroom. And lastly, they not only value these opportunities, but recognize the lifelong skills that were developed during these experiences. They were as proud of what they learned as they were of their accomplishments,” Panagoulias said. “But maybe the answer that helped reaffirm why we all do what we do is what one student said: ‘I will take these experiences with me wherever I go.’ That is one powerful, drop-the-mic statement.”

The ceremony's musical interludes also included Anthem for Winds and Percussion by the BHS band, directed by Mallory Legman; and the National Anthem and In My Life performed by members of the BHS Music Makers, directed by Michael Martone Jr.

The program also listed Student Council officers co-presidents Aidan Schmidt and Collin Shuff, vice president Emerson Shuff, treasurer Charlotte Green, community relations Taylor Tracy and parliamentarian Ian McDougal.

Graduates with memberships in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society, were denoted in the program; as were those earning the Seal of Biliteracy and designations of high honor graduates (gold tassel), and honor graduates, (silver tassel).