Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026 CityLab Principal Dr. Stacey Mulligan G ood evening CityLab and RHS families, Graduation is more than a ceremony—it is a moment fi lled with pride, refl ection, and possibility. It is a celebration of the City of Revere’s most precious gift—its children—and the journeys that have brought them to this milestone. Each year, we gather in this stadium to honor a graduating class, but this year carries something even deeper. This year, we celebrate CityLab’s very fi rst cohort to attend CityLab from freshmen year to graduation. The City of Revere has always taken pride in being “fi rst.” It is home to Revere Beach, opened in 1896 as the first public beach in the United States—a place created so that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, could stand at the water’s edge and feel that they belonged. Revere was also the site of the Battle of Chelsea Creek in 1775, recognized as the fi rst naval engagement of the American Revolution—a moment when ordinary people stepped forward and shaped the course of history. We often call ourselves the “fi rst city north of Boston,” but being fi rst has never just been about location. It has always been about courage—the courage to lead, to build, and to create something that did not exist before. And yet, our history also asks us to remember more. The Rumney Marsh Burial Ground holds the graves of 16 formerly enslaved Black individuals—lives that remind us that progress is not simple, and that the work of building a more just and inclusive community belongs to each of us. And today, we add another “fi rst” to the story of Revere— CityLab, the first innovation high school in this city. To our graduates: you are not just part of this fi rst—you are the reason it exists. Before there were traditions, before there was a roadmap, there was you. You walked into something new and uncertain, and you made it real. You built the culture. You created the energy. You defi ned what this school would stand for. That is not easy work. That is brave work. Years from now, when people talk about CityLab, they will talk about you—the class that started it all. So wherever your path leads, carry this with you: you know how to begin. You know how to lead. You know how to build something from nothing. That is your power. And to the families—thank you. Thank you for trusting us, for believing in a vision that did not yet exist, and for taking a chance on something new. You took a leap of faith— not just on this school, but on me—and I am deeply grateful. CityLab Student Dulce Aguilar Cadenas W elcome to everyone here to see our graduating class and their accomplishments. For those who may not know, my name is Dulce Aguilar Cadenas. I’m a part of the CityLab High School graduating class. When I applied to cityLab, the thought of standing up here would’ve never crossed my mind. I would’ve rejected the idea.I’m glad the people I’ve met here have helped me become much more outgoing. This “non-traditional high school” experience is nothing like I thought it’d be; Especially when your orientation summer program consists of painting the bulletin boards in classrooms in the middle of renovation. I did not think I’d get stuck outside a Starbucks for my fi rst ELO, where I met my best friend, as well as most of the CityLab would not be what it is without your courage and your partnership. And now, it is my honor to recognize the students who made this history real—the founding graduating class of CityLab. CityLab’s fi rst, forever—as I call your name, please rise and remain standing to be recognized as trailblazers who turned a vision into reality: Dulce Aguilar Cadenas Jennifer Aguilar Santos Catriel Alves Anthony Berry Omar Ben Mustapha James Cerrate Kimberly Costello Sophia Santana DaSilva Vittorio Desimone Angelo Testa Duff y Deyae Elouazzani Christian Flores Evelyn Zapata Garcia Kiara Gonzalez Altamirano Jeremy Grijalva Amishia Merveille Matthew Isaza Moncada Aries Maldonado Kendrick Merida Lopez Kimberely Moore Mya Osias Jernonimo Osorio Alvarez Jose Luis Perez Alcaron Esli Reyes Argueta David Rodriguez Joshua Rodriguez Katherine Santos Garza Jose Torres Cindy Vasquez Guzman Angel Villanueva Aviles Congratulations on all you have achieved. Tonight, we celebrate you—not just for fi nishing this journey, but for having the courage to start it. The future is not something you are waiting for. It is something you have already begun to create. people I’d spend the rest of high school with. I also didn’t expect to then spend my last two years riding the orange line to college every day, exploring Boston during gap periods, and proofreading each other’s essays before we printed them out for our professor. I know I already graduated in January, but standing here makes it feel much more real. I’d like to acknowledge the students who worked on our murals at the beginning of freshman year, adding color to the memories of our cityLab experience. I will miss walking past our STEAM mural, even if our unity as a class. I still remember Brazil versus Croatia in Mr. Vittorio’s class and the absolute chaos that followed when Brazil lost. Looking back, though, I realize it wasn’t really about soccer. It was about community. I didn’t always have that sense Kepler Celamy Revere High School Senior Class President Class of 2026 Graduation Address W hat’s good, Class of 2026? Oh my goodness, this moment feels so surreal. Graduates, I know you’re probably sick of me saying “What’s good?” But nothing beats those loud bells, the annoying intercom interruptions, the endless emails, or whatever else I may have spammed you with over the years. Soon, all of that is going to change because we’re offi cially done with high school. As class president, I want to take a moment to refl ect on the class that I have been blessed to be a part of. From the moment we entered this building, this class was about bringing people together. In 2022, when we fi rst entered Revere High School and CityLab, the FIFA World Cup was taking place. Students were proudly representing their countries, cultures, and backgrounds. For a moment, our diff erences didn’t divide us—they connected us. Students who may never have spoken to one another suddenly had something in common. Whether you were cheering for Brazil, Morocco, Mexico, or another country, we all came together through our shared pride and passion. That was just the beginning of it was while being a few minutes late to class. I want to thank every teacher who made the experience I will look back on. I will always be very proud of those who made our school traditions possible, especially that fi rst Halloween movie night. I’m so grateful for all the clubs I’ve been able to experience, and the teachers who recommended I join any clubs at all. Most importantly, I’d like to thank Asahina Sensei. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a class as much as I’ve loved yours. It didn’t just give me knowledge of another language, of community. When I moved to Revere in third grade, I struggled to fi t in until I met one of the greatest teachers in Revere, Mrs. Knox. Not only did she make me feel welcome at Whelan School, but she also inspired me to pursue my passion for wildlife. Thank you so much, Mrs. Knox. I love you. You are a star in my Revere community. Then middle school came, and I spent plenty of time in Mr. Pachinsky’s and Mrs. Kennedy’s offi ces—for all the wrong reasons. As sixth grade was ending, COVID arrived, and Mr. Pachinsky and Mrs. Kennedy fi nally got some peace and quiet. When I entered high school, I met my guidance counselor, Mrs. Chamberlain. She asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But instead of simply listening, she encouraged me to join the Outdoor Club led by Ms. Goldman, which helped me take the fi rst steps toward that future. That’s where I found my people. That’s where I found my community. And I know many of you found your people, too. Some of you found them on athletic teams. CELAMY | SEE Page 21 but a very close-knit friend group as well. You’ve taught me something priceless. I’m amazed at the impact of everything that has led to the school we have today. I’m proud of everyone representing us today, and everyone who participated, even if they are not a part of cityLab anymore. Completing our four years as cityLab students means more than just the achievement of completing high school. We’ve done much more than that by curating that experience for many other classes to come, and I hope our impact will be long lasting. Thank you
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