Staples High School’s 132nd graduation ceremony took place this afternoon, in the fieldhouse.
475 seniors received diplomas.
They head to 163 different colleges, from Fairfield to Shanghai. A few will take gap years, join the military, or enter the workforce.
Those are the numbers. Here are the faces. Well done, Wreckers!
Anisa Prasad (left) is the salutatorian. Her sister Sirina Prasad is the valedictorian. Both will attend Harvard University.
Music teacher Nick Mariconda (left) retires this year, after a 41-year career with the Westport schools. He carried the mace as the longest continually serving Staples faculty member. James D’Amico leaves after 3 years as principal, and 18 in the school district. He’ll become the next principal of New Fairfield High.
Thumb’s up, for sure!
Maria Maisonet receives her diploma from interim superintendent of schools Dr. David Abbey. Board of Education chair Mark Mathias looks on.
Class speaker Victoria Cao offers words of advice.
Students decorate mortarboards in a variety of ways …
… and then, on a signal from Declan Byrne and Elle Fair, toss them joyfully in the air.
Then it’s on to photo ops …
… celebratory cigars …
… and graduation parties. This one honors A Better Chance of Westport scholars Darby Aurelien and David Li.
Every year, people ask why Staples graduation is not outdoors. Here’s why. (All photos/Dan Woog)