‘Resilient and Determined’: Salem Prep High School Salutes the Class of 2025
Salem Prep High School confers nine diplomas
SALEM (June 6, 2024) – The recurring themes at the Salem Prep High School graduation ceremony were resiliency, optimism and an emphasis on community, centered on the staff that helped each graduate find their way.
Salem Prep conferred diplomas to nine seniors Thursday night in its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony at Root North Shore.
In her welcoming address, Principal Lisa O’Neill thanked and heaped compliments on each student individually: optimism, generosity, charm and ambition. She also asked her graduates to take notice of the packed room.
“Take a mental picture right now,” she said. “These are your people. These people are here for you. Carry the lessons with you. Keep learning and keep growing.”
Mayor Dominick Pangallo, who attended Wednesday night’s commencement of New Liberty Innovation School and is expected to speak at Salem High School commencement Friday (6 p.m., Bertram Field), praised the Salem Prep graduates as well as the staff who guided them.
“You’ve made it through a lot,” he noted. “You haven’t let your struggles get you down. Salem will always be here for you. This community will always have your back.”
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike urged the graduates to remember how they got to the ceremony and those who guided them – most of whom were in the room.
“As staff and administrators, we all feel privileged to be part of this school,” he said. “You remind us there is not only one path to graduation. Savor this moment. Step back. Spend quality time with your family. And reflect upon what decisions you made to get your diploma. This self awareness will serve you well.”
While the ceremony belonged to the graduates, the speaking portion belonged to senior Abiezer Encarnacion. In his moving speech, he spoke of his struggle to merely attend school in 2021 – the country still in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic – and ascending to graduation day and speaking in front of the approximately 70 staff and families.
“I spent my first year at home, but with the support of our staff I was able to attend school regularly,” he said. “Because of them I was able to find my footing. High school wasn’t always easy. I know I’m moving forward with everything this school has given me. We have an incredible opportunity to keep growing.”
Members of the Salem Prep Class of 2025 include:
- Abiezer Encarnacion
- Angel Gendron
- Julia Grimes
- Mikayla Marquez-Coffin
- Matthew Ryan
- Tyler Scuderi
- Abigail Vasquez
- Adonis Valenzuela
About Salem Prep High School
It is the mission of Salem Prep High School to ensure that all students feel welcomed, cared for, connected, and valued as a member of the community. Our superb therapeutic teaching staff is passionate, highly qualified professionals who work tirelessly to create and implement excellent academic, and social-emotional learning opportunities for students to acquire and practice vital skills. We aim to challenge students to stretch themselves in the classroom, the community, and other therapeutic environments.
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.
