Commencement Edition Letter From The Executive Director

Dear familia,

On the evening of June 23rd, as rain storms cleared and a beautiful evening set in at the Bronx Zoo, we graduated the 77 members of our third senior class. The members of our Class of 2023 are headed to colleges and universities ranging from Tufts to Temple University, from Cornell to NYU, many on full or partial scholarships.

As I shared from the stage, 100% of the graduating seniors earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, demonstrating their knowledge of what it means to be a leader in the community. In addition, 82% earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, going above and beyond graduation requirements to prove excellency in both spoken and written Spanish and English. What is all the more remarkable is that these students were in ninth grade when the pandemic hit, and their resilience both individually and as a class are an example and an inspiration.

Below, please find excerpts from my Commencement remarks intermingled with photos capturing the spirit of the event. We also recognize the generous sponsors of scholarships and microgrants awarded during the ceremony as well as volunteer-leaders and organizations whose contributions have been vital to our success.

Gracias,

Melissa Melkonian
Founder and Executive Director