Briggs' students show they've reached their potential

dhennessey@bcnnew.com

Ashley Barnes almost didn’t make it to the Richard C. Briggs High School Class of 2010 commencement exercises Wednesday evening.

Barnes said there came a point during her Briggs career when she thought she couldn’t continue. School, she said, had become overwhelming, and she wanted to quit. She walked out of the school’s doors.

But Barnes made it about as far as a gas station near Linden Street before she realized she made the wrong choice.

She returned to school, and with the assistance of Briggs’ many caring teachers, Principal Alaine Lane, and her friends within the school, Barnes persevered, and with 29 other smiling seniors, received a diploma Wednesday evening.

A boisterous crowd filled with the students’ friends, families and teachers packed the PepsiCo Theater at Norwalk Community College to show their support.

Graduate Scott Salters thanked friends, loved ones, his teachers at Briggs, and, yes, even himself, for making it to the momentous day.

“You just need to be with people who want to better themselves,” Salters told the crowd. “Winners say, `This might be difficult, but it’s not impossible.’”

Graduate Tyesha Cruz put it best: “We are our own team and can make it happen.”

During the ceremony, NCC President David Levinson said 12 of the 30 Briggs graduates have taken courses at NCC.

“I am confident that you, the class of 2010, will go out into the world and do some phenomenal things,” he said.

Principal Lane, who is retiring this month, recalled fondly how parents called her office weekly, checking up on their kids.

“You always asked, `Could you check on my son? How is he doing? What’s going on?’”

Lane also remarked how, without the “caring, nurturing” staff of Briggs, graduation day would not be possible.

“I love my job. I look forward to coming to work in the morning. And I love your children,” Lane told the crowd. “I believe all children deserve a chance to turn themselves around and reach their full potential.”

Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona also attended the commencement exercises, along with State Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Board of Education members Erin Halsey, Glenn Iannaccone, Susan Hamilton, Migdalia Rivas, and Jody Bishop-Pullan.

“Briggs is truly a family,” Daddona said.

Iannaccone remarked, “The heart and soul of the school is the teachers and students.”

The Graduates

Sha’Majah Addison

Ashley Barnes

Justin Boczer

Friedston Bowen

Tyesha Cruz

Kayla Gouldbeurne

Iesha Grosset

Rory Klein