Jeffery E. Riley Stadium at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech is filled with students, faculty and family members during the graduation ceremony on 6/7/24, when 477 graduated. Submitted photo.
Press Release
On June 7, 2024, Jeffery E. Riley Stadium at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech was filled with family, friends, and members of our school community as the Class of 2024 Artisans, with 477 seniors, crossed the stage at our annual graduation ceremony.
The ceremony opened with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem performed by Jasmyn Duarte, a member of the class of 2024.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was the valedictorian, Faiza Rahaman, and the salutatorian was Kylie Lourenco.
The keynote address was delivered by Mayor Jon Mitchell from the City of New Bedford. He began by acknowledging the efforts and achievements of the graduates, stating, “Your diploma represents a real accomplishment. You had to keep your grades up, you had to choose studying over going out with friends, you had to deal with peer pressure, and lest anyone forgets, having spent your freshman year enduring the disruption of the pandemic, you had to make certain individual and collective sacrifices.”
He further encouraged the graduates to “choose not to be spectators in your world, but to be active participants in it,” and emphasized the importance of striving valiantly despite potential criticism, quoting Theodore Roosevelt: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”
In his welcome remarks, Superintendent Michael Watson applauded the class of 2024 for their resilience in the face of adversity.
He stated, “The past few years have been a testament to your strength and adaptability. The pandemic challenged us all, altering the very fabric of our educational experience. Yet, amidst the uncertainty and change, you not only survived — you thrived. You embraced virtual classrooms, hybrid learning, and the ever-evolving demands of a world in flux. Through it all, you demonstrated that education is not confined to the walls of a classroom; it is a dynamic, ever-changing journey that prepares you for the unpredictable currents of life.”
The presentation of diplomas was conducted by District School Committee Chair, Wayne Oliveira, who congratulated each graduate as they crossed the stage.
Senior Class President Annalise Applebee, Vice President Nia Rodrigues, Secretary Ava Silva, and the other senior class officers played significant roles in organizing the event, ensuring a memorable evening for all.
The evening concluded on a high note, with the graduates and their families celebrating under clear skies. The Class of 2024 leaves Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech with the skills and knowledge to embark on their next journey, ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Congratulations to all our graduates!
The ceremony available on demand on the scool’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsS-OIMfh4I
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