Program News 2005
Hats Off to SBCHS Grads!
On Monday, June 27, South Brooklyn Community High School (SBCHS) celebrated its third graduation ceremony since becoming a freestanding school in 2002, awarding diplomas to 56 students who had previously been excessively truant or had dropped out of their original schools.
“South Brooklyn is a place that offers you a second chance at achieving your goals,” said graduate Lara Picozzi. Fellow member of the SBCHS class of 2005 Krystal Perez agreed, saying, “South Brooklyn Community High School has changed the way I think about myself. It has given me more confidence and now I know the sky’s the limit and I can be whoever I want if I try hard.”
In a ceremony that reflected the high priority SBCHS places on giving individual attention to each student, diplomas were presented after a personal introduction of every graduate by his or her advocate counselor, rather than a simple reading of a list of names. Remarks were made by the Principal, Vanda Belusic, Good Shepherd Services’ Division Director Millie Henriquez-McArdle, and Executive Director Sr. Paulette LoMonaco. The keynote speaker was psychologist and radio personality Dr. Joy Browne, returning to SBCHS after acting as Principal-for-a-Day this past April. Dr. Browne, who postponed a trip in order to be able to attend the graduation, shared advice in the form of animal analogies, such as “Never get in between a person and their ideas, it’s like getting in between a bear and her cub.”
Many of the students also addressed the crowd, sharing some of the challenges they had faced in getting to this day, and thanking the family members, friends and school staff who supported them along the way. “This is a day that I will never forget,” said Naomi Montgomery, “A few years ago I thought it would be impossible for this day to come. I didn’t know where I would be. So for this opportunity and second chance I would like to thank the whole South Brooklyn Community High School staff. It’s unbelievable how you can help so many people in such a short amount of time.”
August 2, 2005
