To honor and celebrate the 21 graduating seniors in the Horizons at New Canaan Country School (NCCS) Class of 2024, staff, board members, alumni, and families attended a graduation and Alumni Association induction ceremony at Country School on Saturday, June 1. Bankwell sponsored the graduation event for the fifth year. Each member of the Class of 2024 shared a favorite memory and lesson from Horizons at NCCS they will take with them as they set off on the next phase of their journey. Board Chair Tiffany Van Elslander was joined by Bankwell Assistant Treasurer Loan Specialist, Toure Surgeon, a Horizons alumnus from the Class of 2006 to present the certificates and honor cords to this year’s class.
Nehemie Moïse, Horizons Director of Student and Family Support was joined by Family Council Board Representative, Eve. St. Surin, to present the Leah Kimmet College Aid Award, which honors former Horizons Executive Director, Leah Kimmet. The award recognizes a graduating Horizons high school senior for their outstanding kindness, enthusiasm, and dedication to others. The award was received by Kevin Yanes Valdez, a graduate of Norwalk High School who plans to attend the University of Connecticut in the fall and major in electrical engineering.
Jackie Roberson, Horizons Senior Program Dean of Students and Culture presented the Jackie Roberson Valedictorian Award, which is in recognition of the student with the highest cumulative GPA throughout their high school years and is known for their integrity and participation. This year's recipient is Alexandra Paz, a graduate of Brien McMahon High School, who plans to attend Sacred Heart University and major in biology in the fall. Alexandra had the highest weighted GPA in the class, and possesses great teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
The Serenbetz Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of Horizons at NCCS, established the Serenbetz Family Foundation College Scholarships in 2023, awarding two, four-year college scholarships each year. The award criteria is inspired by the life and legacy of the former Academic Director, Lavone Roberson who demonstrated courage, resilience, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. Nancy von Euler, Horizons Executive Director presented the two student award winners: Matthew Mino, a graduate of Norwalk High School, who plans to attend the University of Connecticut and major in accounting and finance; along with Jaimie Alva, a graduate of Sacred Heart of Greenwich, who plans to attend Lehigh University and major in psychology.
The event’s alumni speaker was Kadeem Roberts, a Horizons alumnus from the Class of 2009. Kadeem was the youngest African American to become a member of the Norwalk Common Council and now serves as a State Representative proudly representing Norwalk, Connecticut’s 137th district. In the legislature he serves as Assistant Majority Leader and is a member of the Committee on Children, the Education Committee, and the Housing Committee. Kadeem empowered the students with his words: “you are our future” and encouraged the graduates to “not only follow their dreams, but to chase their dreams.”
StacyAnn Brown, Horizons Academic Director closed the ceremony with a Franciscan blessing that beautifully reflects the values of Horizons at NCCS and hopes for the impact the graduates will have as they head into the world. “May you be blessed with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.” All students were asked to take a plant and present it to their family in recognition of the love and support that helped them get to this important milestone.
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