Graduation 2021: See list of Institute of Technology graduates; meet 2 top students

It’s graduation time.

High school students in the Class of 2021 have been through a lot: remote learning; being required to wear masks; shortening or cancelling sports seasons, musicals and concerts; and a whole lot of uncertainty. They have had to distance themselves from their friends and teachers for months.

Even through all that, they’ve done what’s required to make it through to the end of the school year.

To celebrate the Class of 2021, we are publishing lists of the graduates from more than 60 schools across Central New York.

We will report who is the valedictorian and salutatorian (or in some cases alternates) and give them a chance to share some thoughts about school, the pandemic, family and life. This school’s valedictorian and salutatorian are below the list of graduates.

Celebrate the Class of 2021

The Post-Standard will publish a keepsake high school graduation section on Sunday, June 28. If you wish, you can place a congratulations ad for a graduate you’d like to honor in the section. The section will include lists of 2021 graduates from Onondaga County schools, Q&As with each school’s valedictorian and salutatorian, and more. Businesses also have the opportunity to advertise in the graduation section. You can reach us at this email and we will get back to you.

Commencement

The ceremony for graduating seniors of Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central is scheduled for Thursday, June 24.

Candidates for Graduation

Tarek Abakar

Adan Abdullahi

Ari Acevedo

Hamza Alfahad

Asa Ali

Warda Ali

Justin Almodovar

Abdeialeem Almulaiki

Hana Althour

Xy’elle Aracelli

Deniel Beltre-Severino

Antone’nic Benjamin

Juhudi Boazi

Karizma Brathwaite

Lawrence Brown

Jada Brown

Amillian Butler

Ahmaj Callicutt-Williams

Nathan Carter

Yahaira Casanova-Griffin

Qwaunasia Chavis

Jocelyn Chestnut

James Chestnut

Jaisaida Chisholm

Nashanti Clemons

Jasmine Cole

Janissa Cruz

Jay’Vanna Shanell Dee

Benjamin Diaz

Jahiem Dunlap

Derek Echols

Jahira Edwards

Omari Ellick

Dahlia Espey

Mekhi Ewing

Seykrett Ford-Jones

Ronan Fortin

Kristeen Frazier

Owen Fulmer El

Gianna Gadziala

Aniya Gamble

Dylan Gannoe

Rheaume George

Adalisha Gonzalez

Jada Graham

Luis Guerrero

Damion Hansen

Liberty Harlow

Quadere Henderson

Zonaria Hill

Aric Hoang

Leshaun Howard II

Ja’nae Howington

Annabel Hughes

Ngoc Huynh

Shane’ya Jackson

Shekinah Kelly

Anthony King Jr.

Keyshawn Larode

Ayden Lee

Jose Leon-Perez

Shaun Lobdell

Zailyn Lynn

Shakaiah Maeweather

Erl Marshall

Cameron McConnell

Anaiya McCurty

Daymeir McNair

Jason Melchior Jr.

Yaheim Mendel

Britney Mendoza Olvera

Emma Mitchell

Fatuma Mohamed

Prince Basir Muhammad

Maw Naing

Grisma Neupane

Anna Nguyen

Rachel Nguyen

Thomas Nimineh

Agnes Niyukuri

Niyogushima Nuru

Alyssa Ocasio

Denisha Perez

Joel Perez

Quyen Pham

Shaquinn Pille

Anthony Ponto Jr.

Jasmin Power

Jonnouy Powers

Jose Prado

Winter Pratt

Raquan Pride

Mackenzie Quiles-Cox

Fayo Raacha

Emanuel Ramos

Latif Richardson

Michael Rivas

Mylashia Robinson

Destiny Salas

Jalen Sanchez

Starrtasia Sanders

Genesis Serrano Arroyo

Patrick Shabani

Albert Sippio

Mahella Soavelo

Delvoughn Stenson

Ahmad Tayeh

Jasmine Tearney

Kwonmuang Thanthima

Cam’ron Thomas

Erick Tucker

Nahesha Turner

Elisamuel Valdez Marte

Tiana Vo

Danny Vu

Michael Vu

Shania Watkins

Nazair Whitlock

Jasya Williams

Randolph Williams

Todrick Wilson

Aaron Wilson Jr.

Keyonte Womack

Rodnaja Wright

Neveah Young

Mohammed Zokari

2021 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central valedictorian Michael Vu (left) and salutatorian Quyen Pham

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central valedictorian Michael Vu (left) and salutatorian Quyen Pham

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central

Valedictorian

Name: Michael Vu

Town: Syracuse

Parents: Phillip Vu and Van Ho

My plans for the next few years: I plan to go to Cornell University taking a pre-med track majoring in biochemistry.

My career plans: I want to become an anesthesiologist.

The highlight of my senior year: The highlight of my senior year was getting accepted into my dream college.

The person who inspired me the most: My best friend inspired me the most because she was always there for me and gave the support I never knew I needed. She has also taught me how to have fun while simultaneously being productive.

What I do to unwind or relax: I like to go on drives as well as relaxing with my best friend. An extracurricular activity that I really enjoy is playing the trumpet, especially jazz tunes.

The word or phrase best that best describes my personality: Laid back

My advice to our graduating class: It is okay to lose some of your friends along the way. We’re still so young and have so many years ahead of us to meet new people.

The best part about social distancing: I have been able to focus on myself more and remove the negativity that is in my life.

The biggest impact of the pandemic on my senior year: This pandemic taught me that independence is an essential life skill that will always come in handy.

The one thing I hope to accomplish in my lifetime: I hope to buy my parents a house in the future and give back to the community by donating to charity.

Other thoughts: Without my best friend, I don’t know how far in life I would get. She is one of the best things if not the best thing that has ever happened to me and she deserves just as much appreciation and acknowledgement.

...

Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central

Salutatorian

Name: Quyen Pham

Town: Syracuse

Parents: Loan Duong

My plans for the next few years: I plan to study biochemistry at Syracuse University.

My career plans: I plan on going to medical school after college and becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon.

The highlight of my senior year: The highlight of my senior year has to be graduation since I haven’t seen all my classmates in one place since junior year.

The person who inspired me the most: My best friend encourages me the most and still to this day. I used to make excuses for a lot of my procrastination but seeing her be able to still get things done while having similar responsibilities as me encouraged me to strive to be better. If there’s a will, there’s a way.

What I do to unwind or relax: I think something that helps me relax is painting and shopping. I love art in every form, the concentration takes me to a different world and allows me to forget about reality.

The word or phrase best that best describes my personality: Blunt and independent

My advice to our graduating class: Your journey has just started, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and venture out. And most importantly, have fun because we’re here for a good time, not a long time.

The best part about social distancing: The best part is not having to show up to classes in real life, meaning I didn’t need to get dressed or show up to school. I also didn’t miss those metal detectors either.

The biggest impact of the pandemic on my senior year: The biggest impact is missing out on a lot of senior activities and school club activities I was planning on doing senior year. Like the ACS summer program, student council, rocket club, or even senior breakfast.

The one thing I hope to accomplish in my lifetime: One thing I hope to accomplish is to be able to obtain my PhD and medical license.

...

Contact Brenda Duncan anytime: 315-470-2265 | Email | Twitter

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.