Kent celebrates eighth graders

Kent celebrates eighth graders

Students in Kent marked the end of middle school June 12. They received diplomas as teachers, family members and friend watched the commencement.

Ruth Epstein

KENT — Fifteen Kent Center School 8th graders bid farewell to their school on Thursday evening, June 12, at the 97th commencement ceremonies with a send-off of good wishes and advice as they enter a new phase of their lives.

Principal Michelle Mott began by telling those gathered that graduating was not just about showcasing academics, but growth, resilience and the incredible journey they had at the school. She paid tribute to the staff for “inspiring, guiding and believing in their students.”

Region One Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley encouraged the children to get involved at high school. “That will shape who you’ll be as adults,” she said.

Guest speaker was Leah Darby, a 2018 graduate of the school who is entering her fourth year at the University of Connecticut this fall. She said she remembers sitting in those seats, harboring two emotions. The first was pride—proud of all the work she’d accomplished, proud of her friends sitting beside her, and then quipped, “proud I hadn’t tripped during the walking-in ceremony in my heels that made me two inches taller.”

But, she said the pride couldn’t cover up the other emotion—fear. As a resident of Torrington, she would be going to Torrington High School, leaving all her friends who were going elsewhere. However, she found success in her new surroundings—she was valedictorian of her class and participated in several activities.

She challenged the graduates to embrace their fears, believing KCS has prepared them well. “Go step outside of your comfort zone even though you’re scared. Go make your mark, and the world will be a better place for it.”

The graduates are: Ella Barrett, Harper Bloom, Cullen Bonis, Mario Brito-Trinidad, William Brown, Isla Jordan-White, Noell Laurry, Lucille Matuszewski, Grayson Merritt, Sofia Ramos, Alastair Schnepf, Gia Torzilli, Marisol Vaughn, Cadence Velky and Kianna Williams.

Ella Barrett and Noell Laurry were the class essayists. Presidential Award winners were Marisol Vaughn and Alastair Schnepf.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less