KENT — Rain clouds threatened the promotion ceremony at Kent Center School on Tuesday, June 15. At 4 p.m., clouds threatened to bring showers. But right on schedule for the 6 p.m. ceremony, the sun burst through and provided a glorious early evening.
It was perhaps the perfect weather for a celebration of a COVID-19 year, when every day began with just a tinge of anxiety. In the end, it all worked out, and everyone involved got another lesson in perseverance, faith and flexibility.
The exercises were held in the school parking lot, where there was ample and comfortable space for the gathered guests. Officially not a “public” event, the graduates were able to create their own guest list of family members. The families brought colorful placards identifying their eighth grader.
After Principal Michelle Mott welcomed the families, the Class of 2021 entered and seated themselves together, facing their guests.
Essayist Irine Dumitrascu spoke of the upcoming separation of the 17 students, who have grown so close in spite of or perhaps because of the challenges they faced together.
“Graduation is bittersweet,” she said. “But we will all find each other.”
After diplomas were presented, happy students and their families had cheerful moments taking photographs and sharing hugs. Everyone spoke with gratitude about having the ceremony under the relaxing quarantine protocols. An enthusiastic shout was heard: “We are the 21er’s! This is just the start!”
Kent Center School Class of 2021
Zachary Varallo Bezerra, Zaya j. Chillious, Cheyanne Dinneen, Irine Henley Dumitrascu, Brian Thomas Hunt Jr., Aaron Kurze, Kyle Scott McCarron, Terra Wei McGurk, Lola Bay Moerschell, Patrick John Money, Elijah Joseph Pennucci, Mikayla Danielle Pfeifer, Maximillian Ward Posse, Lilyana Eden Raskind, Benjamin Andrew Soule, Evie Terkildsen, JunXin Zhang
2021 Awards
Principal’s Award: JunXin Zhang
Classroom Art: Terra McGurk
Classroom Music: Kyle McCarron
Chorus: Lilyana Raskind
Drama: Irine Dumitrascu
English: Irine Dumitrascu
French: Terra McGurk
Instrumental Music: Patrick Money
Math: Lilyana Raskind
Physical Education: Maximillian Posse
Science: Lola Moerschell
Social Studies: Irine Dumitrascu
Computer Science: Elijah Pennucci
Library: Irine Dumitrascu
PTO Citizenship Award: Zachary Bezerra
Viafore-Samartini artsAlive@KCS Award: Lola Moerschell
Kent Education Association: Zaya Chillious
American Legion Award: Lilyana Raskind
Lions Club Award: Maximillian Posse
Gail Leo Osolin Award: Lilyana Raskind
David Armstrong Art Award: Irine Dumitrascu
DAR Youth Citizenship Award: Elijah Pennucci
DAR History Award: Lola Moerschell
Friends forever, students in the Class of 2021 gathered together for photos before and after the promotion ceremony on Tuesday, June 15. Photo by Lans Christensen
Students in the Kent Center School Class of 2021 processed across the lawn to the parking lot, where this year’s ceremony was held. Photo by Lans Christensen
