Alma del Mar Celebrates graduation of nearly 100 eighth grade scholars in New Bedford

Nearly 100 eighth grade scholars graduated from Alma del Mar this month.

These graduates will now matriculate to the high school of their choosing, including Greater New Bedford Voc-Techl, the Academy of Honors at New Bedford High, Bishop Stang, Bristol Aggie, and Old Colony.

Alma del Mar operates two charter public schools in New Bedford: the flagship Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus educates 450 scholars each year and the new Frederick Douglass Campus will grow next year to serve 594 scholars.

Forty-two eighth grade scholars graduated from Alma’s Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus; 20 of whom were also recognized as part of Alma’s “Nine Year Club” as they had attended Alma since they were in kindergarten. Those graduates’ names are in bold below:

Belle Almeida
Denisse Alvarez Figaro
Adrien Alves
Alaina Alves
Taylor Amaral
Nourrhya Antoine
Natalie Cardona Ramirez
Alison Carranza
Josue Carranza
Janiah Cooper
Julliano Costa-Melendez
Johan Delvalle
John DeMello
Angelea Depina
Brianna Dias
Lily Dias
Joshua Fernandes
Micaella Goncalves
Aaliyah Hook
Edna Hurtado-Leon
Michael Jimon-Garcia
Tatiana Jovel
Matthew Kirby
Avery Lopes
Nora McClurkin
Anthony Neto
Jasmine Ocano
Chelsee Ordonez-Morales
Johanelys Ortega
Kali Rodrigues
Aryen Rodriguez
Nevaeh Roman
Jyliana San Pablo
Davi Santiago
John Santiago Alvarado
Kaylianie Evelis Santos
Mateo Santos
Myles Silva
Liani Tavares
Eduardo Trinidad
Maxbell Urbina Garcia
Yinaira Ware

Principal Nicole Ouimet was joined by staff keynote speaker Justin Edwards (Middle School Assistant Principal) and scholar keynote speakers Matthew Kirby and Davianis Santiago.

“Over the past few years this school has taught me how to be more responsible and the teachers have helped a lot with that,” said Kirby. “The Alma community believed in me and pushed me to reach my full potential and I will be forever grateful for that.”

Santiago also reflected on her time at Alma: “Being a part of the Alma community has impacted me in many ways both as a scholar and as a young adult. As a scholar I have the ability and opportunity to think critically and speak up for what I believe in. I also have the motivation and support to guide me on the right path, for which I’m very grateful.”

The Frederick Douglass Campus graduated 47 eighth grade scholars in its first ever commencement ceremony since opening in August 2019. Principal Taylor DeLoach took the opportunity to thank all of the school’s community members for their hard work and dedication.

“To our families, thank you for your partnership over the years. We know this work takes a village, and we have needed your support and guidance along the way to help us get to this beautiful moment. You made a conscious choice to send your scholars to Alma, and we are honored that you put your trust in us. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing your incredible children with us.”

Ms. DeLoach, who will succeed Will Gardner as Executive Director on July 1, was joined by staff keynote speaker Adam Mercier (eighth grade ELA teacher) and scholar keynote speakers Nevaeh Escobar and Ishmael Lewis, who both reflected on the very different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning impacted their learning experiences.

“It was an unexpected experience that hit most of us badly,” Lewis said. “It was supposed to be a week or two, but then we just didn’t end up coming for the rest of the school year. During that time, though, we had the most time to reflect and change if we wanted to … I hated online learning, but I also love the person I became once I was out of it.”

“We all took the opportunity to improve ourselves which led the way to our relationships,” Escobar said. “That contributed to my growth academically and personally. Which is why I’m truly grateful for the time I’ve spent growing with my classmates under the guidance of Alma’s teachers and staff. You have all helped me realize that life, not only now but in the future, is challenging, but what I do from that point on is what matters most.”

Below is the full list of Douglass Campus 8th grade graduates, along with any special recognition:

Kaylin Almeida
Lizzy Antúnez Caceres
Daniel Arevalo Guevara
Anderson Arnoux
Kacie Carvalho
Yerianne Colon Rodriguez
Rotwin Cruz Diaz, Excellence in Demonstrating Service
Andrew Daigle
Gabriel Dejesus-Diaz
Jamyeson Delaney
Nevaeh Escobar
Zanayha Fernandes, Excellence in Demonstrating Responsibility
Aydan Forty Cardenas
Karin Garcia, Math Academic Excellence
Jennaya Gomes
Jesus Illas Colon
Genesis Joseph, ELA Academic Excellence
Ishmael Lewis
Izahan Lopes, Science Academic Excellence
Maia Lopes
Aaliyah Lopes
Angelie Lopez
Nayesca Manzanarez
Mark Mccra
Nayeli Melendez Pagan
Alivia Miller
Darrin Navin
Hailey Diana Nieves
Mileyris Oquendo Osorio, Excellence in Demonstrating Consideration
Izelle Padua
Christian Patterson
Andrea Perez
Brayden Pires
Logan Ransom
Caleb Rivera
Richard Rojas
Jeznal’i Ruiz
Lilly Salvador
Triston Silva
Cindy Tevelan-Vicente
Mark Tiffany
Yadiel Torres Ramirez
Noah-Royce Tripp, Social Studies Academic Excellence
Lucas Valente
Yamarie Vega
Aiden Vieira
Abigail Villinea