UPDATED: The 121 graduates of the Minuteman High School class of 2022, including 27 from Arlington, bid a spirited goodbye and looked forward with anticipation to the next phase of their lives at the commencement ceremony on June 3 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Graduation began with Principal George Clement, who was master of ceremonies, asking all veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized. He also requested that senior Bradley Winters of Lexington, who will be joining the Air National Guard, to stand for recognition.
The class of 2022 experienced the thrill of being in the new, state-of-the-art Minuteman building which opened in 2019. Then, just five months later, they abruptly transitioned to learning remotely when schools closed statewide for the rest of the academic year because of the pandemic.
View the 2022 graduation photo slideshow with 200+ images
Valedictorian Trinity Choroszej of Arlington, a biotechnology major. / Photo by Reba Saldanha
“We got through it,” said valedictorian Trinity Choroszej, a biotechnology major from Arlington, in her remarks, “and that’s all that matters.”
While contending with it all, students kept their education on track, guided by dedicated Minuteman faculty and staff.
“Through the biotechnology program, I have been able to act on my love for the sciences and start to learn what paths may lie ahead,” said Dylan Higgins of Acton, the salutatorian. “My career technical education has allowed me to explore and start building my future for myself.”
Graduation marks Bouquillon retirement
The occasion marked a significant milestone for Superintendent-Director Edward A. Bouquillon, who is retiring after 15 years as the leader of Minuteman. His tenure was distinguished by achievements such as the construction of the new Minuteman facility, and the school receiving National Blue Ribbon Award by the U.S. Department of Education in 2018.
After showing a video about the need for people to spend less time on social media and smartphones and more time living in the present moment, Bouquillon said in his remarks: “I want you to see what is always all around you. Really all around you, not filtered through screens and texts and others’ likes or emojis. I want you to look up, no – more to the point, I want you to constantly choose to look up. Engage with what’s around you, what may be uncomfortable, or embrace the unfamiliar.”
Superintendent-Director Edward A. Bouquillon. / Photo by Reba Saldanha
Choroszej, the valedictorian, and Higgins, the salutatorian, are attending UMass./Boston and Tufts University, respectively. This year’s Minuteman graduates are also attending Arizona State University, Bentley University, Clemson University, Colorado State, Emerson College, Johnson & Wales, Merrimack College, Regis College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Texas A&M, Wheaton College, and numerous others, including various University of Massachusetts and state university campuses, along with community colleges and trade schools.
Many students are going directly into the workforce to pursue their career trade of study, with numerous graduates gaining apprenticeships in the electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and welding trades with local unions or contracting companies.
All Minuteman graduates – both college- and workforce-bound – receive at least one industry-recognized credential to demonstrate proficiency in their career technical areas to future employers; many obtain multiple credentials. Several students in the environmental science, early education and teaching, health assisting and cosmetology programs are graduating with state licenses to begin working in their respective fields.
Minuteman's Arlington graduates
Samuel Albers, plumbing and heating. Albers will attend Arizona State University. Albers was accepted to two additional universities.
Maxim Allor, culinary arts and hospitality. Allor will attend Johnson & Wales University and was accepted to two additional universities.
Brady Anderson, culinary arts and hospitality. Anderson will work as a lineman apprentice for IBEW Local 104 of Mansfield.
Zoe Callahan, early education and teaching. Callahan will attend Worcester State University and was accepted to seven additional colleges or universities. She is a member of the National Honor Society.
Ryan Carta, electrical wiring. Carta will work as an electrical apprentice for SMD Electrical Contractors of Woburn.
Wyatt Caruso, multimedia engineering. Caruso will attend Middlesex Community College to study computer science and music.
Trinity Choroszej, biotechnology. Choroszej was the valedictorian for the class of 2022 and will attend University of Massachusetts Boston; she was accepted to four additional colleges or universities. Choroszej is a member of the National Honor Society.
Sophia DaSilva, biotechnology. DaSilva will attend University of Maine Orono and was accepted to 12 additional colleges or universities. DaSilva is a member of the National Honor Society.
Maria-Eduarda DaSilva, early education and teaching. DaSilva will attend Massachusetts College of Art and was accepted to three additional colleges or universities.
Berkley J. DiBiase, plumbing and heating. DiBiase received industry-recognized credentials for OSHA-10 Construction Safety and Health, Mass. Plumbing License Credit, and Hot Work Safety.
Dominic Frisoli, plumbing and heating. Frisoli will work as a plumber apprentice for Atlantic Heating and Air Conditioning of Brookline.
Simon Goodwin, advanced manufacturing. Goodwin will attend University of Massachusetts Lowell; he was also accepted to Salem State University.
Theo Gredenius, Design and Visual Communications. Gredenius will attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and was accepted to two additional universities.
Koi Green, programming and web development. Green is working full-time in the hospitality industry.
Brandan Hunter, electrical wiring. Hunter is working as an electrical apprentice for the Local 103 electrical union of Dorchester.
Anis Iftikhar, electrical wiring. Iftikhar will attend University of Massachusetts Boston; he was also accepted to UMass Lowell.
Asnaan Iftikhar, plumbing and heating. Iftikhar will attend University of Massachusetts Boston.
Ryan Jones, health assisting. Jones will attend Regis College and was accepted to five additional colleges and universities.
Liam Masten, carpentry. Masten is working as a carpenter apprentice for LaGrasso Carpentry of Billerica.
Tenzin Namsey, multimedia engineering. Namsey will attend Bunker Hill Community College to study visual design.
Tomas O’Connell, horticulture and plant science. O’Connell is working part time and received the OSHA-10 Construction Safety and Health industry-recognized credential.
Alexis Roberts, plumbing and heating. Roberts will attend Middlesex Community College.
Jaelyn Rodriguez, multimedia engineering. Rodriguez will attend Middlesex Community College.
Eleanor Silvadurso, health assisting. Silvadurso will attend University of New Hampshire and was accepted to six additional colleges or universities. Silvadurso is a member of the National Honor Society.
Jalen Smith, health assisting. Smith will attend Middlesex Community College to study in the radiology technician program.
Gavin Sparks, advanced hanufacturing. Sparks will attend University of Maine Orono and was accepted to three additional universities.
Jerry Takang, robotics and automation. Takang will attend University of Massachusetts Lowell and was accepted to three additional colleges or universities.
June 10, 2022: Minuteman awards nursing certificate to 3 Arlington students
This news announcement was published Tuesday, June 14, 2022, and updated the same day, to correct the headline. YourArlington volunteer Kim Haase prepared it for publication.
