Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 GRADUATION | FROM Page 1 with a ceremony that celebrated their perseverance, determination and patience. Nearly 450 graduating seniors from Revere High School and SeaCoast High School crossed the stage at Harry Della Russo Stadium to receive their diplomas. Principal Dr. John Perella praised the city and school administration, the teachers, parents and caregivers, and most of all, the students, for making the most of the bad hand they have been dealt during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I want to thank the students of the Class of 2021,” said Perella. “You have taught us so many lessons this year. I want to thank you for modelling adaptability, patience and grace. Without a doubt, you have always been the very best part of the school year. For the rest of your days, academics, poets, musicians and writers will all try to capture what you lived through.” Through all the challenges, Perella praised the graduates for facing them together. “This experience will forever bond us to each other, and when it is all said and done, that might be the most important thing we take away from it,” said Perella. “The Class of 2021, there has never been a class like yours, and I hope you live deeply and stay young at heart. You have my respect, appreciation and love.” The most emotional speech of the evening was also one of the shortest. Avalee Jemery was the first SeaCoast High School graduate to speak during a Revere High ceremony, and she fought back tears several times as she talked about the challenges she has faced over the past four years. “I have been a SeaCoast student for the last two and a half years of my life,” said Jemery. “Transferring to SeaCoast honestly changed me and my perspective. I managed to get my grades up and I even enrolled into North Shore Community College’s dual enrollment program. I’m now getting my associate’s degree for nursing. The point I’m trying to make is, whether or not you go to a traditional high school or an alternative high school, nothing is beyond your reach.” Salutatorian Viktoriya Kalinina, who will attend Brandeis in the fall, talked about the importance of looking beyond grades and making a diff erence with what the graduates are passionate about. “We all have our individual talents, experiences and learning styles that set us apart and allow us to each add color to our sometimes bland world,” Kalinina said. “It’s not about who’s fi rst or who’s last: It’s about sharing the skills that you can fi nd within yourself.” Valedictorian Sydney Ciano, who will be attending UMass Amherst in the fall, chose not to speak during the ceremony, but her friend and fellow graduate Nina Cassinello read Ciano’s poem “Creation.” The poem focused on fi nding yourself within your soul. “Find the rhythm at which your heart beats / Find the rhythm your body loves to dance to,” Cassinello recited from Ciano’s poem. Senior Class President Elijah Nater, who will attend Boston University this fall, spoke about how the graduates made the GRADUATION | SEE Page 15 Approximately 1,000 parents and guests fi lled the stands at Harry Della Russo Stadium for the Class of 2021 graduation exercises on Tuesday. Army JROTC Color Guard Cadet Stacey Lopez Hernandez (in background) sang the National Anthem. Tri-sport captain Calvin Boudreau wore shades as he crossed the stage. School Committee Members Michael Ferrante, Anthony D’Ambrosio, Susan Gravellese, Mayor Brian Arrigo, Carol Tye and Stacey Bronson-Rizzo Nathan Ramos crossed the stage. Julianna Raff a receives her diploma from Principal Dr. John Perella. Guidance Counselor Lawrence Kimbrough took a selfi e with Mahmoud Hallak, who graduated 10th in his class and will attend Brown University in the fall. The happy graduating seniors of the RHS Class of 2021 are shown entering Harry Della Russo Stadium on Tuesday evening. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Graduates Minnah Sheikh, Elijah Nater and Nina Cassinello celebrated after the ceremony.
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