Mill Pond High School in Springfield Graduates 9

Springfield Republican | 6/13/08

By Suzanne McLaughlin

SPRINGFIELD - They want to go on to college, play basketball, become a police officer, a gym teacher and an early childhood worker. 

Seven of the nine passed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams. Six of the nine plan to go on to college. The others plan to go to work. 

They are the nine graduates of Mill Pond High School of the Children's Study Home of Springfield which serves at-risk children and families through educational, residential and family services. 

The students graduated in ceremonies last night at the Sprague Cultural Arts Center at American International College . 

"Each of you has his or her own story and has overcome obstacles," said James Fay, director of education. 

The graduates are: Quinn Adams, of Monson; Andrew Fila, of Agawam ; Timothy Johnson, of Springfield ; Stephanie LaPlante, of Westfield and Springfield ; Jason Lemelin, of Westfield ; Victor Olavarria, of Springfield ; Jose Perez, of Chicopee and Springfield ; David Sanchez, of Springfield , and Elliot Velasquez, of Springfield . 

The keynote speaker was Luis G. Perez, the first Puerto Rican attorney in Worcester and the first Puerto Rican judge in the state. 

"Some of you have had brushes with the law or overcome emotional, mental or physical problems," Perez said. 

"You have been given many chances, and you have persisted and prevailed," he said. 

Perez told the students that God gave humans intelligence and the ability to get into a pile of trouble. He said God also gave humans the intelligence to get out of trouble.  He told the students they are about to go on to the next chapter of their lives which may include education, work and raising a family. "Life is more than what happens to you," Perez said. "You have intelligence and free will. Life is what you make happen."