NEWTOWN, Conn. — It was an emotional graduation ceremony for high school students in Newtown, Connecticut, who observed a moment of silence for their 20 classmates who were shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Principal Kimberly Longobucco read the names of the first graders killed on Dec. 14, 2012, along with six teachers, as the Class of 2024 and their families watched Wednesday: This is reported by Hearst Connecticut Media.
“We remember them for their courage, their kindness and their spirit,” Longobucco said. “Let us strive to honor them today and every day.”
Newtown Schools Superintendent Chris Melillo told the 335 graduates, “Life is too short to do something that doesn’t ignite your soul – something that doesn’t give you purpose and meaning. Never settle for less than what sets your heart on fire.”
About 60 Newtown High graduates attended Sandy Hook Elementary School and are survivors of one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.
Wednesday’s graduation ceremony was closed to the media, with the exception of two local news organizations.
Sandy Hook survivors who spoke to the Associated Press Before their graduation, they said their fallen classmates were on their minds.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot of mixed emotions,” said Emma Ehrens, 17. “I’m super excited to be done with high school and moving on to the next chapter of my life. But I’m also so… sad, I think, that I have to walk across that stage alone. … I like to think they’ll be there with us and walk across that stage with us.
Some Sandy Hook survivors have described their community as a “bubble” that protects them from the outside world.
Class salutator Grace Chiriatti said during the ceremony that part of her wish was for things to stay the same because of the “comfort level we have” as graduating seniors.
“Everything seems so perfect, surrounded by people I love… it’s hard to leave, just when I’ve already figured everything out,” Chiriatti said. “But by starting something new, we don’t have to start over.”
