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Chester Academy 8th graders enter high school during annual commencement

Two smiling teenagers in formal attire hold certificates in the foreground, while an audience watches from the blurred background.

Seventy-three Chester Academy eighth graders reached a monumental milestone and officially entered high school during their moving up ceremony Tuesday evening. Students eagerly walked across the stage to receive their certificates as they embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Check out photos from the day here! 

Eighth graders Raishaly Calderon and Xavier Rodriguez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance before Jonah Boma and Jazlynn Martinez performed The National Anthem. Principal John Flanagan then went up to the podium to give his opening remarks, highlighting the importance of instilling healthy habits during this new time in students’ lives.

“As you enter high school, you'll find new opportunities waiting for you. You'll have the chance to take new classes, join clubs and teams, explore your interests, and begin thinking about the future you want to create,” Mr. Flanagan said. “You'll also have more independence. That can be exciting, but it also comes with responsibility. The habits you build now—working hard, being kind, staying involved, and supporting one another—will help shape the next four years and beyond.”

Middle school graduates Savannah Conway and Adair Navarrete Hernandez addressed the crowd, discussing the impact their middle school years have had on them, including the friendships they made along the way.

“We have become more than classmates; we have become friends who have faced challenges together, solved problems together, and supported one another every step of the way,” Adair said. “Tonight, I want us to pause and appreciate how far we have come, because this moment is not just a celebration of where we are, but of everything that shaped us along the way.”

Jennifer Cuomo, the school's guidance counselor, honored two students with the Triple C Award for demonstrating exceptional courage, character, and commitment within their school community. 

Students walked across the stage one by one to receive their diplomas. The ceremony concluded with light refreshments and cake as families continued celebrating their loved ones' accomplishments. Congratulations to the Class of 2030! Check out the list of graduates below! 

Three students stand in front of a large illuminated "2026" sign and a dark blue curtain, holding certificates.
Four young men in formal attire stand in the foreground holding certificates, with a plain wall in the background.
Three smiling young women in formal attire hold certificates in front of a blue backdrop with school logos.

Kamaya Adamson

 Iyla Amill

 Drew Arnett

 Michael J. Avery

 Franklin D. Avila

 Amadou Ba

 Anthony Bialorucki

 Jaron Boakye

 Jonah Boma

 Parker Bradley

 Alexander Cabrera

 Raishaly Calderon

 Javier Chacon Jimenez

 Adriana Chinchilla

 Cadence Choate

 James Clark

 Adrianna Clarke

 Savannah Conway

 Nora Curtin

 Niyah Dale

 Stella Dunne

 Max Durant

Kyan Espinal

 Brianna Ferraro

 Santiago Flores Fernandez

 Hailey Garcia

 Soriah Garcia

 Justin Gargano

 Arcelia Gonzalez

 Chloe Gossai

 Lillian Green

 Mateo Guerra-Avila

 Avery Haack

 Angelina Henriquez

 Jossuel Hernandez Sapkovski

 Derek Hosmer

Lamisha Khurram

 Vivian Knight

 Lilyanah Lazier

 Alan Lin

 Ennio Liwanag

 Olivia Lynch

 September Mann

 Jazlynn Martinez

Jasmine McCabe

 Maia Mendola

 Adair Navarrete Hernandez

 Charlotte Neuhaus

 Emma O'Leary

Briana Paguay Jarama

Owen Peterman

Gloria Prevoit

Devin Pula

Alvin Quezada

Joangel Ramirez

 Xavier Ramos

 Caycen Reid

 Grace Reilly

 Destiny Remarais

Ava M. Reyes

Roman Rivera

 Brian Rocktoff

Jaileen Rodriguez

Xavier Rodriguez

Malachi Rosas

 Patrick Rusich

Gabrielle Thomas

 Isabelle Thomas

 Anna Trinh

 Kalysta Troche

 Taliah R. Walker Barrales

 Cameron Woods

 Tania Yupangui Lliguicota