GREENFIELD — The commencement ceremony at Four Rivers Charter Public School not only honored the 35 graduates in the Class of 2023 on Saturday, but also recognized “our community that has guided them along the way,” said Head of School Jenni Manfredi.

These 35 graduates, representing the charter school’s 16th graduating class, did not have the most traditional high school experience.

These students ended their freshman year, along with most of this year’s graduates across the country, with the COVID-19 pandemic sending them home to study remotely, with sophomore year largely being spent studying from their beds. When these students returned to in-person learning, a small fire in the high school bathroom set off the fire alarm and sprinkler system, causing significant damage throughout the building and leading classes to move to Greenfield Community College in their junior year. Finally, they were able to come together in their senior year for a largely normal academic experience.

“Senior year was filled with adventure and excitement,” said Julian Rodriguez, one of the class speakers. “Finally getting to spend a year with my classmates here was very rewarding.”

While their strange high school experience was difficult, many students said they were able to make it through together because of the relationships they formed.

“The ups and downs have all made me the person I am today, and whether it be friends or family, I am eternally grateful for those who support me,” commented Natasha Clark, another student speaker.

Through the trips they took or the unexpected difficulties they faced, the class endured by finding community.

“We all spent countless hours during the week in a place that becomes our home,” said student speaker Josalyn Eastman, “and with people that become our family.”

Before the graduates were presented with their diplomas, the three class advisors — Andy Patari, Becca Rice and Alex Wilson — took turns giving one-minute speeches about each of the 35 graduates, letting them know what their presence at Four Rivers meant to their peers, faculty members and administrators.

Graduates

Zayne Gutwein Appel, Greenfield; Innis Charles Bakey, Ashfield; Jaida Ryan Barry, Northfield; Justin Patrick Blodgett, Bernardston, Kole Scott Broderick, Gill; Simon Weber Bukowick, Northfield; Emily May Caruso, Greenfield; Natasha Lee Clark, Ashfield; Katherine Renee Deso, Greenfield; Ella Margaret Dubin, Northfield; Josalyn Elizabeth Eastman, Greenfield; Malachi Asad Flynn, Bernardston; Jocelyn Justine Franz, Greenfield; Shealyn Song Garvin, Montague; Rafael Velvel Gell, Greenfield; Eleanor Elizabeth Herbert, Greenfield; Jaiden Lee Kotright-Clark, Heath; Naomi Arlene Kulp, Ashfield; Eve Alexandra Macek, Shelburne; Isaac Lee Morton, Gill; Grace Hannah Parzych, Gill; Alexander Stephen Pawell, Montague; Andrea Lee Retzlaff, Greenfield; Caleb Ethan Rhodes, Bernardston; Julian Jacob Rodriguez, Greenfield; Lilly Neige Savoie, Greenfield; Cyrus Stiles Seward, Greenfield; Molly Ann Sharry, Bernardston; Parker Augusta Smith, Shelburne; Lily Catherine Smithers, Charlemont; Bennett Michael Snyder, Deerfield; Olivia Noelle Vassar, Gill; Zaphia Riley Westgate, Conway; Olivia Ann Marie Wysk and Richard Peter Wysk Jr., Deerfield.

Scholarships

Zayne Appel: Scarlet Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Innis Bakey: Fred W. Wells Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Jaida Barry: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Justin Blodgett: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Kole Broderick: Fred W. Wells Scholarship; Emily Caruso: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Katherine Deso: URI Presidential Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Ella Dubin: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Josalyn Eastman: Bridgewater State Bear Merit Scholarship; Malachi Flynn: WPI Presidential Scholarship; Jocelyn Franz: UNH Presidential Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Shealyn Garvin: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Eleanor Herbert: Fred W. Wells Scholarship; Eve Macek: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Isaac Morton: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Grace Parzych: Fred W. Wells Scholarship; Andrea Retzlaff: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Lilly Savoie: John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Cyrus Seward: Fred W. Wells Scholarship, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; Bennett Snyder: Fred W. Wells Scholarship; Olivia Vassar: Fred W. Wells Scholarship; Zaphia Westgate: Fred W. Wells Scholarship, Festival of the Hills Scholarship.

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