For KCS class, ‘This is just the start!”

KENT — Rain clouds threatened the promotion ceremony at Kent Center School on Tuesday, June 15. At 4 p.m., clouds threatened to bring showers. But right on schedule for the 6 p.m. ceremony, the sun burst through and provided a glorious early evening. 

It was perhaps the perfect weather for a celebration of a COVID-19 year, when every day began with just a tinge of anxiety. In the end, it all worked out, and everyone involved got another lesson in perseverance, faith and flexibility.

The exercises were held in the school parking lot, where there was ample and comfortable space for the gathered guests. Officially not a “public” event, the graduates were able to create their own guest list of family members. The families brought colorful placards identifying their eighth grader. 

After Principal Michelle Mott welcomed the families, the Class of 2021 entered and seated themselves together, facing their guests. 

Essayist Irine Dumitrascu spoke of the upcoming separation of the 17 students, who have grown so close in spite of or perhaps because of the challenges they faced together. 

“Graduation is bittersweet,” she said. “But we will all find each other.”

After diplomas were presented, happy students and their families had cheerful moments taking photographs and sharing hugs. Everyone spoke with gratitude about having the ceremony under the relaxing quarantine protocols. An enthusiastic shout was heard: “We are the 21er’s! This is just the start!”

Kent Center School Class of 2021

Zachary Varallo Bezerra, Zaya j. Chillious, Cheyanne Dinneen, Irine Henley Dumitrascu, Brian Thomas Hunt Jr., Aaron Kurze, Kyle Scott McCarron, Terra Wei McGurk, Lola Bay Moerschell, Patrick John Money, Elijah Joseph Pennucci, Mikayla Danielle Pfeifer, Maximillian Ward Posse, Lilyana Eden Raskind, Benjamin Andrew Soule, Evie Terkildsen, JunXin Zhang

2021 Awards

Principal’s Award: JunXin Zhang

Classroom Art: Terra McGurk

Classroom Music: Kyle McCarron

Chorus: Lilyana Raskind

Drama: Irine Dumitrascu

English: Irine Dumitrascu

French: Terra McGurk

Instrumental Music: Patrick Money

Math: Lilyana Raskind

Physical Education: Maximillian Posse

Science: Lola Moerschell

Social Studies: Irine Dumitrascu

Computer Science: Elijah Pennucci

Library: Irine Dumitrascu

PTO Citizenship Award: Zachary Bezerra

Viafore-Samartini artsAlive@KCS Award: Lola Moerschell

Kent Education Association: Zaya Chillious

American Legion Award: Lilyana Raskind

Lions Club Award: Maximillian Posse

Gail Leo Osolin Award: Lilyana Raskind

David Armstrong Art Award: Irine Dumitrascu

DAR Youth Citizenship Award: Elijah Pennucci

DAR History Award: Lola Moerschell

Friends forever, students in the Class of 2021 gathered together for photos before and after the promotion ceremony on Tuesday, June 15.  Photo by Lans Christensen

Students in the Kent Center School Class of 2021 processed across the lawn to the parking lot, where this year’s ceremony was held. Photo by Lans Christensen

Friends forever, students in the Class of 2021 gathered together for photos before and after the promotion ceremony on Tuesday, June 15.  Photo by Lans Christensen