Londonderry High School celebrated graduates during its winter adult education graduation ceremony held Jan. 8.
Provided by Londonderry High School(Editor’s note: Graduate Chase Picard died in a car accident in Londonderry on Jan. 9. Please see related story at unionleader.com)
LONDONDERRY — It was a night to celebrate accomplishments both in the classroom and in life itself, as the Londonderry Adult Education program hosted its winter commencement ceremony Jan. 8.
Twenty one of the 24 total number of students completing the program filed into the high school gymnasium wearing white and blue robes, coming together for a night of celebration and stories of success.
Crystal Rich, director of the alternative education program at Londonderry High School, said the program and its commencement ceremonies show how far the students have come, all from different backgrounds and experiences as they work to earn their diploma.
Rich thanked all her staff that work hard with students and help them gain their academic success while also forming bonds among each other.
“It’s truly a team effort here,” Rich said, adding that effort is what makes up “the villages that surround our graduates” along with family and friends.
Frank Edelblut, New Hampshire’s Commissioner of Education, spoke to the graduates, giving them his own take on life advice, and offering positive words of encouragement.
“You are the definition of perseverance,” Edelblut told the graduates.
Edelblut then crumbled a five dollar bill as an example that even though worn and wrinkled or even stepped on while lying on a floor somewhere, it still had value.
“Sometimes life will crumble you up a little, dump you on the floor, it doesn’t affect your inherent value,” he said.
The commissioner urged the graduates to appreciate what they’ve accomplished and look forward to what lies ahead.
It’s also a tradition during Londonderry’s adult education commencement ceremonies for students completing the program to speak on their own personal journey, why the program worked and to also thank the staff, family and friends for supporting their goals and future.
That included Arden Rynakso, taking the stage to share feelings about what was accomplished.
It was a lot of hard work, but making the choice to join the adult education program was a good one, Rynakso said.
Speaking about how difficult COVID-19 made the learning experience, Rynakso said coming back to in-person learning was a struggle, not fitting in, or making friends after being isolated so long.
But the adult education program gave the opportunities and support system needed, Rynakso said, adding graduating six months ahead of schedule was a big plus.
“I wouldn’t have made it here without the whole village of people to support me,” Rynakso said.
For Alianna Verani, it was a struggle with anxiety, depression, and bullying that caused her own struggles in the classroom and beyond, with COVID-19 lockdowns and isolations making the struggles worse.
“I didn’t know what I would do for a future,” she said, adding she worried about losing friends and potential bullying situations.
But Verani said finding yourself through those struggles can mean there is strength and success ahead.
“And everyone needs help one way or another,” she said. “And the most difficult processes lead to the most beautiful result. And we did it.”
The alternative adult education program in Londonderry also holds a commencement ceremony in the spring.
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