The 154th Commencement ceremony of the Rome Free Academy Class of 2023 took place on June 24, featuring a graduating class of over 345 seniors. The ceremony was presided over by RFA Principal Brian LeBaron. The stadium was filled with approximately 2,000 attendees, including family members, friends, members of the Board of Education, Administration, and Staff, who gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.
The ceremony commenced with the traditional pomp and circumstance, performed by the RFA band under the direction of Jacob Meiss. The colors were presented by the RFA JROTC, led by Master Sargent Della Pray and Colonel Kevin Tracy, Instructors.
Satino Campanaro then led the attendees in reciting the pledge of allegiance.
The Alma Mater was sung by RFA Senior Choir members, directed by Michelle Madonia Rushford.
As their senior class gift, the Class of 2023 decided to plant four flowering crab apple trees at RFA. Senior Class President Mia Mirabelli stated, "These trees were dedicated to the memory of our dear friends Stone Mercurio, Carli Hartwig, and all our classmates who were tragically taken from us too soon."
The ceremony featured Valedictorian Katelyn Boyer, who achieved a remarkable weighted grade point average of 103. Boyer expressed her gratitude by thanking the Rome City School District, the Rome Free Academy administration, and the guidance counselors for their tireless efforts in ensuring students have a successful school career. She added, "I want to emphasize that there are so many students in front of me who must also be celebrated for their amazing accomplishments. Congratulations to every member of the Class of 2023."
Also speaking at the ceremony was Salutatorian Enrique Rivera, who attained a weighted grade point average of 102.54. Rivera shared, "Just as each of us has had a vastly different high school experience, the idea of what a successful high school experience is our own; that is, you decide how you measure success and whether or not you fulfilled that over the course of your four years at RFA. Again, we all must have been successful in some way to end up sitting here today—we should all take some pride in that."
During the ceremony, Superintendent Peter C. Blake and Board President Joseph Mellace awarded the diplomas to the graduating seniors.
Photos by Jill E. Pekarski (jpekarski@romecsd.org)
More photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romec...
PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF ALL OF THE RFA GRADUATES. THEY WILL BE POSTED ON FACEBOOK.