Mount Wachusett Community College Confers 638 Degrees and Certificates to 592 Students During Commencement Ceremonies

Mount Wachusett Community College celebrated the academic achievements of its graduates during the college’s 57^th Commencement on May 18, 2022. A total of 592 students graduated, with 474 associate degrees and 164 certificates being conferred. In addition to the 2022 graduates, eight students from the class of 2020 and twenty-eight from the class of 2021 also marched in the first in-person commencement since 2019.

“It feels amazing to be back here with you tonight. We have waited for three years to be back in this space for this event together,” MWCC President James Vander Hooven noted in his welcome address. “You represent the epitome of perseverance. You have risen to and overcome all the challenges placed before you to be here tonight. The importance moving forward, establishing and re-establishing human connections, relationships, and partnerships, in your future work and in your future education, must go forward with you. To commence means to begin, to move forward. While your educational journey with the Mount is coming to an end, it is just a beginning. This beginning comes with responsibility, the responsibility to use what you have gained for the betterment of your communities and your families.”

Student speaker Jennifer Gariepy, who was receiving her associate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, addressed her fellow graduates, “From here on out, I want you to stand tall with your head held high, because we earned more than a degree or certificate. We earned self-respect, self-love, and self-confidence because our perseverance overcame the obstacles that tried to get in our way. We are starting the next chapter of our lives stronger than we were before.”

The theme of perseverance was continued by keynote speaker Chris Gabrieli, Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, “Every ceremony is full of pride and joy, but this one is extra special to us all because we have been through so much to get here.”

Gabrieli noted that the MWCC commencement was particularly special for him because of the college’s leadership in the early college movement, a program that has been a touchstone for him through his time at the Board of Higher Education. “The Mount was a pioneer in this field far before I got involved, and it’s a shining star now, taking full advantage of taking what the state offers to support Early College. I am proud and grateful to the Mount for stepping up, as they do so often and so well, to be a leader in imagining and executing on new ways students of every age can benefit from college and the learning offered here at the Mount.”

“Congratulations to all of you with gratitude for the opportunity to share in the joy of this day, with optimism that you will make the world a better place with your educated skills, your courage, and your proven resilience,” Gabrieli concluded.

The graduates of the Class of 2022 are:

Arkansas

Hope

Certificate: Shamaine Nacole Jenkins

Colorado

Steamboat Springs

Associates: Sabrina Deon Lapcheske

Georgia

Lawrenceville

Associates: Yan Luis Marquez Nina

Massachusetts

Acton

Associates: Cintia Andrade de Menezes

Arlington

Certificate: Rosa Johanna Fox

Ashburnham

Associates: Samantha Nicole Bertrand, Amber Rose Gagne, Steven Gorrell, Toby LaRoche, Neil L. O’Donovan

Certificate: Katie L. O’Brien, Edwin Alberto Perez

Ashby

Associates: Patty Romero Brine, Ashley M. Ploskonka, Jaclyn Quigley, Leelannee Thankful Breed Welty

Athol

Associates: Jasmine Nicole Alvarez, Danelle Marie Cassarino, Christine Ann Gallant, Kendra Hough, Olivia K. Luchock, Josephine Rose Ludwig, Autumn McCollor, Hannah S. Paul, Jack Allan Robinson, Hannah Rose Sotto, Kailie Alyssa Spofford, Cody James Vitols, Emily M. Woodard, Destiny Rose Wrigley

Certificate: Theresa K. Davis, Lindsay J. Williams, Kendra Hough, Hannah Rose Sotto, Destiny Rose Wrigley

Auburn

Associates: Kennedy D. Boamah, Eric Paradis

Ayer

Associates: Eric William Gravelle, Perrin Christopher Grubb, Max Duncan Sivak, Aroara R. Spindler-Levy, Mitchell Taylor

Certificate: Ana Vitoria P. Eleuterio

Baldwinville

Associates: William Michael Braccini, Christopher Read Divoll, Nicholette Ann Roy, Julie L. Wilkinson

Certificate: Joshua G. Duval, Patricia A. Magane

Barre

Associates: Allison Rose Beane, Courtney Marie Blanchette, Laurie Ann Johnston, Robert A. Milkman, Sarah Jane O’Sullivan

Certificate: Michael Peter Flood

Becket

Certificate: James D. Tarjick

Belchertown

Associates: Alexandra Shea, Ashley E. Tarr

Billerica

Associates: Lindsay Nicole Mitchell

Boston

Certificate: Michael Jordan

Boxborough

Associates: Edward D. Barnes, Campbelle Rose Stephens

Boylston

Associates: Alex Robert MacConnell

Bridgewater

Certificate & Associates: Tonya Ranae Fleming

Brimfield

Associates: Nichole Elizabeth Bacon, Jason Ehrets

Brookfield

Certificate: Sarah Faith Lyon

Charlton

Associates: Carly Noela Reynolds

Chelmsford

Associates: Alexander Drake Ruehlicke

Clinton

Associates: Christine Ann Burzenski, Brittany A. Cravedi, Christian A. Maldonado, Theresa Kathleen Carraher, Orlando Ortiz, Manny Patel

Certificate: Manny Patel

Colrain

Associates: Ellen A. Purington

Dorchester

Certificate: Dashawn Nunez

Douglas

Associates: Gina R. Carrico, Denys A. Rodriguez

Dracut

Associates: Noah Kasirye

Dudley

Associates: Danielle Marie LaForce

Duxbury

Associates: Abigail Elizabeth Dubrawski

East Brookfield

Certificate & Associates: Alysha Nicole Poirier

East Templeton

Associates: Taylor Lynn Stewart

Fall River

Certificate: Christopher G. Carney

Fitchburg

Associates: Hafsa Asfa, Rumana Ashraf, Samantha L. Boucher, Nichole Camelo, Damon Tyler Charette, Sarah Elizabeth Cioffi, Isabel S. Cochran, Kylee Gwen Cormier, Mario D’Angelo, Nicole Marie Diaz, Daniel J. Dow, Madison Duphily, Renatha Eubanks, Emily Julie Eubanks, Andrew Jesse Ferreira, Veronica Figueroa, Melissa L. Gaudet, Brandan J. Grossi, Jibril A. Haq, Serina Joanne Hernandez, Samantha Lauren Hill, Brittney L. Johns, Jacob Kornik, Amy Lynn Krysiak, Ashleigh Marie LaClair, Tony Lam, Demetric Donte Lavender, Kylee Ann Lawrence, Payengcha Lee, Marco Caleb Legros, Linda Lombe Metuge, Jailene Marie Lopez, Stephanie Lopez Torres, John P. MacDonald, Andrew Martinez, Danielle Alisha Martinez, Geanine A. Mazerolle, Marangelys Melendez, Amy Elizabeth Meunier, Jamal A. Michel, Nicole L. Mullin, John Patrick Newsham, Eileen Nina, Dorcas Padilla, Juan Carlos Pedraza Jr., Bryant Quinn, Rossany Sanchez, Samantha J. Sargent, Nina Elizabeth Scaficchia, Mary-Louise Ophella Shaw, Jessy Mariana Silvera Maciel, Isabel Adriana Ferrer Rodriguez, Lilli Souvannavong, Alana T. Strumberger, Emma Victoria Terho, Taniya Juanita Tucker, Celena P. Valiente, Jouan Vang, Daisy Vue, Jaelyn Hannah Wentworth, Alex G. Willie, Kristoffer Jordan Williams, Ryan M. Wilson, Robert Yang

Certificate: Mario D’Angelo, Tori Elizabeth Debeaucourt, Susan L. Deel, Tyler G. Galloway, Jessica Garay, Susan M. Haverty, Sky A. Hutchful, Livenson Joseph, Andrew Martinez, Eileen Nina, Deanna Lee Olausen, Christian J. Perez Perez, Isabel Adriana Ferrer Rodriguez, Xenia Rodriguez, Brittany M. Ruffen, Nadjalee Santos, Rebecca Rose Shosey, Natalie P. Solivan, Taniya Juanita Tucker, Amanda Southchai Vongphachanh, Jaelyn Hannah Wentworth, Alex G. Willie, Toua Yang,

Framingham

Certificate: Shane P. Squires

Gardner

Associates: Annastasia Anderson, Linda S. Bedinger, Terrence Edward Bennett, Natasha Marie Boudreau, Hannah Moon Burns, Robert L. Chilcoat, Nayeli Cuevas, Chloe F. Despres, Hannah Elizabeth Elbourn, Salsabil Ximena Hartley, Daniel Alejandro Hidalgo, Briana Rose Higgins, Kelly A. Johnson, Jacqueline Kyna Hobbs, Mikyoung Kim, Damary Laboy, Felicia Marie LaValley, Danielle Jane Lehtonen, Shea Mallet, Sydney Mario, Leslie Zuel Cruz-Martinez, Jose Mateo, Julianna Melko, Rachael Ann Neuhaus, Christopher P. Ouellet, Danielle Nicole Pelletier, Isabelle Marie Alexandra Poulin, Sara A. Rich, Cynthia Roy, Hannah Meghan Sadler, Sarah Beverly Savoy, Bryce A. Scott, Lindsey Taylor Smith, Charlie J. Stellato, Ian S. Stewart, Giovanni Antonio Toledo, Emily Katelyn Ulrich, Lizza Y. Vega

Certificate: Stefani Barton, Tianna Marie Caisse, Rachel Erin Courtemanche, Lisely Brianna Gracia, Justina May Johnson, Kelly A. Johnson, Felicia Marie LaValley, Leslie Zuel Cruz-Martinez, Mary L. Miller, Aimee Elizabeth Ouellet, Meredith A. Stewart, Giovanni Antonio Toledo, Myriam Vogne, Susan M. Wilson

Gilbertville

Associates: Ashley Bourgault

Groton

Associates: Kabriana T. Kien

Holden

Associates: Amanda Bryson, Alli Marie Carbonneau, Vanessa Jean Chaves, Christina Garrepy, Irene J. Gulnick, Ariana Madisyn Lyons, Monica Patacchiola

Hubbardston

Associates: Elizabeth L. Afonso, Rebecca Lynn Aubie, Sarah Elizabeth Demboske, Anna Kate M. Kinnear, Emma Kathleen Kinnear, James M. Nason

Hudson

Associates: Maggie Elizabeth moran, Heather Paige Tibbals, Stephani Eunice Hernandez Chour

Jefferson

Associates: Jennifer Watkins

Lancaster

Associates: Cain Graber, Michael Harrison Miller, Carolyn Alyce Poch, Catherine M. Potter, Cameron J. Vettese, Emily Rose Bruley, Grace Tia Walsh

Certificates: Emily Rose Bruley, Grace Tia Walsh

Leominster

Associates: Alondra Andrea Lopez Abreu, Meghan Anne Arce, Joshua T. Armfield, Farah Nelie Auguste, Dominick Kristopher Azevedo, Katie Lynn Baia, Mackenzie Lynn Bailey, Lucia Maria Bandera, Netty R. Bazile, Nathalya Kaizer Bridi, Kayla N. Garcia-Brodie, Olivia Grace Bush, Katelyn Olivia Cameron, Joanh S. Carvajal, Leandra M. Charette, Akieeme Jaheem Clemetson, Hannah Cormier, Logan William Corrado, Caitlyn A. Curley, Cameron Dane Cutter, Yamirelys Davila Rosado, Rachel Estefania Dansky, Pamela J. Day, Brithany De La Rosa Arellano, Benjamin T. Dearden, Sarah Duodu, Elizabeth M. Evangelista, Genesis D. Ferreira, Paula Tamara Franco Gutierrez, Corey David French, Margaret Wanjiru Githengu, Fatoumata Gueye, Giselle A. Gutierrez, Kevin James Harrington, Bridget Stefania Houle, Lindsey Margaret Hughes, Emily Ann Hutchinson, Rosemary Ireni, Molly Edith Jacob, Toni Maleigh Johns, Christopher M. Johnson, Destiny Mari Joseph, Andrew David Lanciani, Zackary Thomas Lawrence, Marlena Makayla Maahs, Dante Marazzo, Melanie Marie Mason, Makenzi Mitchell, Ernest Nyarko, Megan Sidney O’Dell, Kelcie Morgan Paakki, Kellie Porter, Anita Entwi Quarshie, Alexis Michelle Reid, Neyi Zuleika Rijo, Marissa Lynn Roberts, Katie Elizabeth Santana, Maria L. Rodriguez, Erika A. Schiffer, Mariah Elizabeth Sellars, Danielle D. Thomas, Casey Robert Winand

Certificate: Katie Lynn Baia, James Barrett, Kayla N. Garcia-Brodie, Duane Brown, John S. Cetoute, Luis Angel Collazo, Stephanie Marie Constant, Rachel Estefania Dansky, Aaliah Esquilin, Nancy F. Fong, Josiah Frimpong, Fatoumata Gueye, Bridget Stefania Houle, Destiny Mari Joseph, Marlena Makayla Maahs, Angela Marie Maguire, Ramon F. Mayorga, Christina Raisdanaee, Maria L. Rodriguez, Ekaterina Michelle Santana, Katie Elizabeth Santana, Aisha Iris Santiago, Danira Toribio, Betzaida Vazquez, Sophia Diane Wenning

Lexington

Associates: Samina J. Mian

Littleton

Associates: Jennifer Ann Wilson

Lowell

Associates: Sarah M. Nakatoogo, Angella Nanyanzi, Maria V. Quijada, Anne F. Wanyee,

Certificate: Stephanie A. Barry, Joseph N. Bernardini, Robert E. Gardner

Ludlow

Certificate: Matthew Hastings

Lunenburg

Associates: Julie Elizabeth Barrett, Amanda R. Bontempo, Meredith Kathryn Brown, Sabrina Marie Collins, Madelyn R. Dame, Alyssium Leyah Fernandez-Scherington, Jose Rene Flores, Mark Gee, Drew W. Hallisey, Lillian Bethann Holman, Stacey Marie Houle, Kristen Elizabeth Melanson, Madison Rose Pinard, Eric Scouten, Larisa Stacy, Allison Jean Staples, Chantel S. Szlosek

Certificate: Brianne Nicole Boneta, Jose Rene Flores, Drew W. Hallisey, Lillian Bethann Holman, Stacey Marie Houle, Kristen Elizabeth Melanson, Victoria Katherine Safner

Malden

Certificate: Roland L. McMullen

Marlborough

Associates: Melissa Christine Jordan, Melissa Pierre, Andrea Evans Schiller

Maynard

Associates: Tammy Leigh Mariani, Karleigh Elena Martinec

Methuen

Associates: Abigail Hannah Schiller

Certificate: Yoshio Stakermann

Middleboro

Associates: Thomas Daniel Melucci

Millbury

Associates: Brian Keith Gasco Jr., Jade Rhea Martel, Patrick S. McGrath, Jake Robbins

Monson

Associates: Tristan A. Soucy

New Braintree

Associates: Kourtney Joan Furtado

North Easton

Certificate: Matthew C. Worster

North Oxford

Associates: Jennifer Carolina Castro-Lainez

Northborough

Associates: Susan B. Willwerth

Norwell

Associates: Divine Maria Girouard

Oakham

Associates: Amber Arlene Aynesworth, Amanda Marie Lajoie, Lindsey E. Lessore, Shaye Michael McKeen

Orange

Associates: Glenna R. Allen-Jones, Theresa Lynn Bergevin, Ellie Jo Burton, Amanda M. Finch, Jennifer Lynn Gariepy, Laura D. Garrity, Daniel Patrick Tompkins, Carla J. Wheeler, Barbara Louise Whitney

Certificate: Theresa Lynn Bergevin, Victoria Lynne Oertel, Carla J. Wheeler

Oxford

Associates: Cynthia Grace Shaw

Pepperell

Associates: Calandra Hunter Boutin, David Robert Cate

Petersham

Associates: Phoebe L. Burch

Phillipston

Associates: Hannah Mikayla Bean, Ryan Michael Bussiere, Amy Lee Cooper, Madeline Rose, Sydney Rose Wilga

Certificate: Amy L. Cooper, Danielle McDonald-Bourbeau

Pittsfield

Associates: Jessica Marie Elias

Certificate: Anthony J. Magri

Princeton

Associates: Isabella Grace Ervin, Candace Mia French, Adam E. Shenk, Brittany Elaine Smith

Provincetown

Associates: Valerie Nichole Mahar

Certificate: Francis Davis

Quincy

Certificate: Michael A. Brawner

Rehoboth

Certificate: Andrew Briggs

Roxbury

Associates: Raven Deyon Felix

Certificate: Fabian Manuel Gonzalez

Rutland

Associates: Shannon Hanson, Kyle Harrington, Allison R. Kane, Lindsey Christine Mahan, Jack R. Moore, Jacob Otieno Uba

Certificate: Kyle Harrington, Robert E. Walters

Salem

Certificate: Joseph Louf

Salisbury

Associates: James Ray Bonner

Shirley

Associates: Margaret A. Craig, Nicholas T. House, Nicole V. Kelly, Jacqueline M. Monahan, Luke Michael Pearson, Parker C. Suscavage, Zoe P. Zupko

Certificate: Joyce R. Carmona, Kevin Gary DiGregorio, Zachary A. Ehlert

Shrewsbury

Associates: Brittany Danforth, Desiree Fernandez, Jason Taylor

Somerset

Associates: Darlene F. Murphy

South Deerfield

Associates: Lauren K. Hnath

Southbridge

Associates: Orianna Paige Gendron, Enid M. Morales, Yvelle Fleury, Molly B. McNamara

Certificate: Molly B. McNamara

Spencer

Associates: Alicia L. MacKinnon, Peninah Okuku, James Orlando Pusateri, Saesha M. Thibault

Springfield

Associates: Paige Lynn Landry

Certificate: Juan A. Gonzalez, Corey J. Mitchell-Edwards

Sterling

Associates: Carmen Michelle Belville, Zoe B. Coomey, Kelly Anne Devillers, Amanda DeLeon-Guimaraes, Benjamin N. Hayward, Andrew L. Vettese

Certificate: Kelly Anne Devillers, Abigail Sarante

Sturbridge

Associates: Morgan Jolie Brooks-Hoenig

Taunton

Associates: Dylan Matthew Enos

Templeton

Associates: Lauren Noel Arsenault, Sebastian B. Coscia, Jordan Rose Dickhaut, Connor Michael Green, Mallory A. LeBlanc, Noella Rosealee Maki, Amber L. Menard, Adelia Lynn Sampognaro, Vincent Cornelis Sampognaro, Anissa Sargent, Jared J. Shepard, Joshua Ryan Surrette

Certificate: Christina Jeffers, Noella Rosealee Maki, Lauryn A. Mattson, Anissa Sargent

Tewksbury

Associates: Gabriella Jasmin Moreno

Townsend

Associates: Alban Baboci, Jeffrey M. Cormier, Amanda P. Fales, Seth R. Farley, Callum D. Hammill, Sarah J. Merrill

Certificate: Jacob A. Crandlemere, Olivia Rose Olmeda

Tyngsboro

Associates: Becky L. Roberts

West Brookfield

Certificate: Callista R. Platt

Ware

Associates: Jillian A. Barnes, Gabrielle Amanda Chrabascz, Olivia C. Mooney

Webster

Certificate: Samantha Marie Leon

West Boylston

Associates: Gina M. Burke, David C. Urella, Michael Rowland Young

Certificate: Caroline Victoria Farrar

West Townsend

Associates: Rachel A. King, Jonathan Moore

West Warren

Associates: Kimberlie Lyn Milner

Westborough

Associates: Benjamin Owusu Boateng, Kaitlin Jean Lawton, Ruth Charity Njaaga

Westford

Associates: Edith Masembe

Westminster

Associates: Ryan E. Coleman, Stephen Wayne Elliott, Nicholas S. Grossi, Bobbie Jo LeBlanc, Philippe D. Olson, Kailyn Parker, Clayton James Perior, Rebecca D. Schlier, Ivan M. Underwood, Jonathan M. Winn

Certificate: Vanessa Lee Gallant, Nicholas S. Grossi, Zachary M. Leblanc, Samantha Anne Schultz

Weymouth

Certificate: Joseph W. James

Wilbraham

Associates: Grace Dufour

Winchendon

Associates: Jacqueline Louise Bussiere, Krissiauna Shanea Chartier, Isabelle Jordan Costa, Meagan N. Cucchiara, Mollie Rebeccah Decosta, Kiley Donahue, Casey Drouin, Andrew M. Forest, Nicole A. Leeper, Emily Meyer, Matthew Ryan Perenzin, Rebekah Sawicki, Mansi Sureshkumar Prajapati, Greyson T. Suppa

Certificate: Jacqueline Louise Bussiere, Edward Bruce Coulter, Amy Marie Fasulo, Linda Hofhaug, Trevor Courtland Holland, Rubin Metellus, Emily Meyer, Joyce Rodriguez, Rebekah Sawicki, Samantha Leigh Thiers, Breanna Bethany Whittier

Winthrop

Certificate: Thomas Maradona Craddock

Worcester

Associates: Georgina Amoah-Dankwah, Josephine B. Asante, Nicole M. Benoit, Zachary Austin Cotter, Vanessa De Matos, Ingrid Del Orbe, Sarah Entwistle, Brooke Donelle Hazen, Jessica Marie Hazen, Erick Webuye Inyanga, Jessica Lynn Jarvis, Anita Johnson, Maureen C.J. Khabosa, Affi Kimberg, Brittany Alexandra Mariscal, Irene W. Mbugua, Ebenezer Kwadwo Mireku, Yesenia Murillo, Kelvin Miru Muthoni, Washington M. Mwangi, Josphat N. Ndegwa, Anne Ndungu, Nadia Noushie, Georgia Ashley Wing, Alyssa R. Zollo, Ruth Tanis Zuniga

Certificate: Cedella T. Gayou, Brooke Donelle Hazen, Jessica Marie Hazen, Ebenezer Kwadwo Mireku, Jessica Ortiz, Kerisbel Pina, Rafael Jesus Rivera

Maine

Shapleigh

Associates: Marisa C. Costain

Waterville

Certificate: Eric Thomas Johnson

Michigan

Newberry

Associates: Stephanie Renee Brunell

North Carolina

Holly Ridge

Certificate & Associates: Cheryl M. Cormier

New Hampshire

Charlestown

Certificate: Joshua A. Pelton

Derry

Certificate: Donte D. Okowuga

Fitzwilliam

Associates: Nathan R. Cornwell, Desiree Marie Santaw

Hancock

Associates: Stephanie M. Sanders

Jaffrey

Associates: Erick Lee Colston, Jacob A. Dunton, Alyssa J. Snow, Colin Sweetland

Litchfield

Associates: Michaela Mia Lindsay Short

New Ipswich

Associates: Megan Eileen Bergeron, Averi Deanna Dyer, Tamara Krook, Shaina Lakanen, Laura Ann Moran

Certificate: Alexander T. Watkins

Richmond

Associates: Olivia Budzik, Rebecca Lynn Rule-Sellers, Kirsten Serina Thayer

Rindge

Associates: Mia Elizabeth Caron, Jessica L. Huntington, Natalie L. Leveille, Katie Elizabeth Marsh, Megan Ann Perez, Brandi Leigh Pugh, Sarina Marie Weideman

Certificate: Jacqueline Toini Lundsted, Alyssa L. Patnaude, Magnus Jon Stowell

Temple

Associates: Kayla Marie Rautiola

New York

New York

Associates: Julie Anne Von Fettweis

Pennsylvania

Hanover

Associates: Jessica C. Woodward

South Carolina

Little River

Associates: Kailyn A. Richardson