Families Embrace Class Of 2015 At Bridgeport's Warren Harding High

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- There was one special person who couldn't be at Bryan Silva's graduation from Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport on Monday evening.

Bryan Silva holds his mortarboard with a special message for his mother, Rosa Sanabria, who couldnt attend his graduation ceremony.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

The Class of 2015 at Warren Harding High School graduates Monday evening.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

From left: Valedictorian speaker Franceine Welcome, Salutatorian Louis Gonzalez and Shaun Hershiser who delivered the welcome from the senior class.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Jair Banks, left, and Shaun Hershiser before the Warren Harding High School graduation. Banks will attend Gateway College while Hershiser will go to Fairfield University for pre-med.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Jesse Marino, left, with his parents Rhonda Marino and Paul Marino, before the Warren Harding High School graduation ceremonies.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

André Hackney and his mother Andrea Hackney.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Graduate Michelle Burgos, along with her boyfriend and fellow graduate Roberto Gonzalez, her father Michael Burgos Sr., brother Michael Burgos Jr., and her stepmother Doreen Patel.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Jocelyn Torres is surrounded by family members before the Warren Harding High School graduation ceremony on Monday. Pictured are her mother, Damaris Lucela, sister Jodelis Torres, and brothers Angel Santiago (in blue shirt) and John Rodriguez.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Destiny Malines, left, and Ashley Petrie, right. Marines will attend Eastern Connecticut State University while Petrie will attend Norwalk Community College. Both are going to study nursing.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Brianna Matos surrounded by family. She is going to study nursing at the Bridgeport School of Nursing.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Former Mayor Joseph P. Ganim greeted graduates and their families as they entered Webster Bank Arena. He is running for Bridgeport mayor.
Photo Credit: *Frank MacEachern*

Frank MacEachern

06/23/2015 5:30 a.m.

But Silva made sure she was present in a different way as he placed a special message, "I did it for you mom," on top of his mortarboard.

“She has meant a lot for me. She is my hero," he said. "She worked very hard for me to be in this place now. She means everything to me."

His mother brought him up to Bridgeport from Miami two years ago when she moved here for work. However, she had to move back to Miami for work. He stayed behind, living with his sister Kensi, as he finished high school.

He was one of 158 graduates from the high school. The graduation exercises were held at the Webster Bank Arena.

André Hackney was accompanied the commencement by his mother, Andrea Hackney, who admitted she had mixed emotions. But she said she was looking forward to his eventual college graduation.

“It’s joyful and I am very proud," she said. "It’s a major milestone, and I’m looking forward to another one in college.”

André Hackney will attend Quinnipiac University in the fall.

Rhonda and Paul Marino said they were "very proud parents" as they walked to the arena with their son, Jesse.

Valedictorian Franceine Welcome urged her classmates to never give up and always work to accomplish their goals.

"It is up to you to determine what doors you open," she said.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said the city honors its graduates.

"You are the sons and daughters of Bridgeport and we will always be proud of you," he said in his remarks. It was the third of three high school graduations held Monday at the arena.

The keynote speaker was a 2012 graduate of the school, Risha Hill, who is now a senior at Spelman College. She found a unique way to ensure she had money to finance her sophomore year at Spelman: Hill hosted an art show at her home and sold 16 paintings. She earned other offers of support after her story became widely known.

She also urged the graduates to seize their chances in life.

"Challenge yourself to make a difference," she said. "Dream so much that you scare yourself."

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