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
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