"We Pledge To Make It Brighter," As Amistad Graduates 147

Suhieb Ebrahim.

Suhieb Ebrahim stood before dozens of soon-to-be graduates and families, pausing to remember the sacrifices of his parents, who came to America from Egypt with nothing but “a suitcase filled with dreams and a heart filled with hope.” Now, he's thinking of students who may never walk across the graduation stage, in a year upturned by violence and genocide. 

“We've been taught to reject hate and as ingrained in our education, we cannot turn a blind eye when that is happening right before us,” he said. “As graduates stepping into the world, we pledge to make it brighter.”

Ebrahim left his graduating class with that message last Friday, as 147 students graduated from Achievement First Amistad High School in New Haven. The celebration was led by interim principal A.J. Lowe and featured keynote speaker Connecticut State Rep.  Marcus Brown. 

 Salutatorian Crystal Lalor and  Valedictorian Jirelys Tirado-Rodriguez, delivering the class of ‘24 student addresses

Accompanying Ebrahim were Salutatorian Crystal Lalor and Valedictorian Jirelys Tirado-Rodriguez.

In her speech, Lalor spoke about how Amistad has ignited her love for science. After spotting a research opportunity on Instagram the summer before her freshman year, she was able to take a mentorship opportunity at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. There, she learned about nucleic acid therapeutics and nanotechnology, and later went on to complete research about drug delivery at the University of Connecticut. 

At Amistad, she’s been able to nurture that interest further. She plans to continue her scientific research at Yale University in the fall. 

“For all of us, there will be a lot of surprises as we move forward. Everyone's journey is different, but every detail in it makes us who we are, so don't be afraid to take on opportunities and experiences that might be foreign,” she said.

Brown University-bound senior Tirado-Rodriguez reflected on her time from moving to the U.S. from Puerto Rico. From knowing no English to now flourishing in academics, she was able to make lifelong bonds with teachers and classmates.

“You're here today because you didn't give up,” she said. “You decided your story does not end here, and that it does not matter what others believe of you. You all gained the confidence to be yourself, and that is the most important skill you will be walking across the stage with.”

Kim Hinds, Thalya Bailey, Tessa Lindo, and Shanese Wilson.

Outside, the festivities continued. A proud sister and member of the U.S. Navy, Shanese Wilson came back from Japan to see her little sister, Thalya Bailey, graduate.

“Whatever you think you can do, you can do it just put your heart to it, put your head in it and have faith … I'll always be here no matter what,” Wilson said, turning to Bailey.

“It’s been an adventure, it’s been a journey, but I’m ready to go,” said Bailey, who plans to major in nursing at Hampton University.  

Mother Tessa Lindo described  the occasion as “ecstatic.”

“I'm so happy,” she said. “Eleven years ago, I did it for the older one; today, [it’s] my baby and I'm so so proud of her.”

In the school's atrium, graduate Shaun Williams and school social worker Peter Butler paused to snap a few pictures. While Williams described the event as “just another day,” Butler was quick to push back, pointing out Williams’ growing smile. 

Williams is still deciding his post-secondary plans, debating on going into the military or trade school to pursue electrical engineering.  He described his four years at Amistad as “hospitable,” saying that he has gained a set of people in his corner. 

“Everybody here wants to make sure you succeed, and  if you end up failing in some way, shape or form, they're right there to pick you back up, even if it is your fault,” he said. “Everyone wants to be on your side.”

Butler, who has known William since meeting him in his kindergarten class 13 years ago, was experiencing emotions of “pride” and “sadness.”  Over the years, Butler has slowly seen Williams grow in and out of the school system. 

“He’s gonna go far,” Butler said. “I always told him he’s gonna be mayor in New Haven. I told him that in fifth grade; he's got that personality and that smile, right?”

Brothers Aiden and Matthew Mayo. 

For Matthew Mayo, walking across that stage was a feat a long time in the making.  

“I feel good,” he said, “[I'm] excited to finally be out that building.”

From these four years, Mayo's main takeaway from school was learning patience.

“I had to be patient, feel me? Just go through it [and] do my work until [I got to]  where I'm at right now,” he said.

Sports have been a big part of Matthew high school career; he played on Amistad’s basketball team. Now, he hopes to expand on this love for sports by majoring in sports management at Eastern Connecticut State University (ESCU). 

His brother Aiden, a seventh grader at Achievement First Amistad Academy Middle School, called Matthew a role model. Looking at his trajectory gave Aiden a glimpse into what he would look like five years later, draped in blue and maybe even rocking a few chords around his neck.

“I'm just gonna learn off him and go his path and graduate just like he did,” Aiden said, before flashing a smile.

Naixtza Rivera and Martin Lechuga

As college counselor Naizta Rivera and Academic Dean of Science Martin Lechuga watched their students get pictures, Rivera couldn’t help but feel “bittersweet” about the event. 

“It was really nice getting to know my caseload this year … a lot of them have leveled up, and I'm really excited to see where they go,” she said. 

Lechuga seconded this statement, describing this year’s class as “determined” and eager to meet their personal goals. 

“I've spent the last four years really mentoring these kids, and this is like, the first time I've really felt like every single scholar is gonna be doing great things. And I just feel so happy for them,” he said. “It's just true excitement.”

As a college counselor, Rivera couldn’t help but send graduates off with some academic tips, emphasizing the importance of networking. 

“Get in contact with people that work at your campus, at your trade program, at your job, make friends, step out of your comfort zone; Do things that you would normally not do, because that will get you to the next level.”

Keisha Adigwe.

With a bouquet of roses gifted to her by her sister, Keisha Adigwe was ready to pose for the camera. With her smile, you couldn’t tell that she had started off the day “nervous,” she said. It wasn’t until graduation commenced that she eventually succumbed to the excitement and buzz, looking forward to what her future has ahead. 

“It’s just like a big thing you know?” she said. “[You go to] college and then you alone.” 

Despite the college process being “stressful,” Adigwe is now confident about her choice and is heading off to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) to study nursing.

She also had a word of advice for juniors and other high schoolers. 

“You gotta stay on top of your work. Like it's really important.”