‘The Diploma is the 50-Yard Line’: New Liberty Innovation School Class of 2026 Celebrated for Perseverance, Persistence
New Liberty Innovation School confers 10 diplomas
SALEM (June 4, 2026) – Life is a series of potholes, obstacles, hurdles, detours and roadblocks – something with which these graduates are already familiar.
Always less ceremony, more celebration and plenty of emotion, the New Liberty Innovation School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 at the Peabody Essex Museum Wednesday night at a full Morse Auditorium.
Along with members of Salem Public Schools School Committee and leadership, the 2026 commencement drew special guests including former Superintendent, now Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, Mayor Dominick Pangallo and commencement speaker/Salem High School Class of 1999 alumnae Cynthia Nina-Soto, each of whom delivered passionate, inspiring messaging.
For NLIS Principal Jamaal Camah ‘96, the Class of 26 commencement was particularly meaningful: Currently in his fourth year, he arrived at NLIS when this year’s graduates were freshmen.
“The highest human act is to inspire,” Mr. Camah said. “Our journeys are parallel. When you entered your ninth grade, so did I. You were faced with challenges and small victories and were presented with more obstacles, which you overcame.
“I’ve watched every one of you do just that, project after project, presentation after presentation. When I’ve been faced with obstacles and doubt, I’ve asked myself, ‘how would (students) Sofia, Tyrone or Brennan handle it?’ I think about the things you would do.”
Dr. Zrike, named the state education secretary in March, returned to Salem to remind the class of Salem’s recent progress on the MCAS, improved attendance and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) ranking.
“This is the class that has produced some of those record breaking numbers,” Dr. Zrike said. “You’re all the embodiment of the Portrait of a Graduate. Earning a diploma plus a whole stack of credentials.
“I’ve been with you the last six years,” he added. “You’ve taken and passed early college courses, completed demanding internships, crushed your academics. We’ve seen record improvement in classes and attendance. I’ve been around a lot of schools. New Liberty is a place of connection like I’ve never seen before.”
Mayor Pangallo echoed Mr. Camah’s statements of challenges and detours. “Life is a GPS that’s always recalculating,” he said. “Always be willing to take the next step. The world today needs resilience with empathy, creativity and courage. And that’s the New Liberty class of 2026.”
Ms. Nina-Soto, a successful realtor who taught a real estate class during the fall semester at New Liberty, passionately encouraged the graduates to ‘“keep showing up.”
“Your future is not determined by where you started,” she said. “How you show up matters, during the easy moments, but difficult ones too. Success comes and goes, but character follows you everywhere you go.”
Ms. Nina-Soto told the class of the many challenges she and her family faced when they immigrated from the Dominican Republic when she was eight years old, including living on public assistance and the inability to speak English.
“When the world places expectations on you, you tend to believe them,” she noted. “Do not confuse a delayed path with a failed one. Everyone’s path is different. Choose your circle wisely. People who challenge and encourage you, who tell the truth and speak life into you. “There were plenty of moments when I could not picture where my life is today: advocating for housing, serving on boards, and teaching. Keep showing up.”
Following Ms. Nina-Soto’s address, each graduate was addressed by the NLIS staff member of their choosing, and presented their diploma, per tradition.
Member of the NLIS Class of 2026 include:
- Ray Barerres
- Brennan Connor
- Gilsarid Sofia Alvarado Torres
- Jay Thompson
- Jay Rodriguez
- Wilver Armani Serrano
- Tyrone Manifold
- Silas LeFleur
- Senaiah Lites
- Nicholas Mateo
Three graduates – Brennan Connor, Johana Rodriguez and Jay Thompson – wore purple cords, signifying academic excellence while Mr. Connor, Ms. Rodriguez and Tyrone Manifold each wore red and white cords to signify four years at NLIS as well as excellence in science and biomedical studies.
About New Liberty Innovation School
New Liberty Innovation School is a small high school within the Salem Public School district. Our program works beyond the scope of traditional high school education by providing students with small class sizes, and real-world learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, and the ability to focus on topics and projects of interest to each student. In addition to academic opportunities, the New Liberty staff provides students with wrap-around support and coaching, which enables students to fully engage in their learning and make academic and social-emotional progress.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
