Long Beach High School congratulated graduating seniors who successfully completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program during a recognition ceremony held on May 31. The seventh annual event featured risktaking as the theme, as this is one of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits. 

Seventy-one students were presented with stoles, signifying their completion of two higher-level and three standard-level International Baccalaureate courses, internal assessments, external exams, Theory of Knowledge course, extended essay and 150 hours of community service this year, a monumental task on top of an already challenging high school academic program. 

Long Beach High School became an International Baccalaureate World School in 2010. International Baccalaureate classes are known for their academic rigor and encourage students to be well-balanced, caring, reflective, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded and communicative inquirers, thinkers and risktakers.  

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, Principal Jeffrey Myers and IB Coordinator Jennifer Quinn addressed the audience and praised the students for rising to a momentous challenge. David Prince served as the evening’s keynote speaker and seniors Danielle Breen and Daroma Persaud were emcees. 

“A few years ago, you made a commitment to the IB Diploma – and you did that even though that commitment took a lot of work,” Dr. Gallagher told the students. “Tonight is a celebration of your diligence. This is an accomplishment that few high schoolers can claim and one that will not only prepare you for college but the world beyond college.” 

Ms. Quinn spoke about the risktaker trait and referenced the book “Daring Greatly,” by Brené Brown. “One of the themes she writes about often is based on her belief that vulnerability, or willingness to be ‘all in’ even when it can mean failing, is great. I believe that all 71 of you have chosen to be brave and vulnerable by putting yourself ‘all in’ to the IB program and your education beyond it.”

Jesse Scott and Darcy Roman recited poems in French and Spanish, respectively. Jesse shared Maurice Carême’s “Liberté” while Darcy featured “Queda Prohibido” by Pablo Neruda. Diamond Lambert was selected by the students to speak on their behalf and she reflected on the program and experiences. The seniors then presented a special “Thank You” video in which they expressed their gratitude to the supportive teachers and counselors that have encouraged them along the way. 

Each student’s name was announced and administrators presented stoles to Tyler Aitchison, Benedict Albergo, Derek Bannon, Dylan Bannon, Danielle Breen, Dylan Brickman, Alexander Brown, Matteo Camarda, Paulina Cardona, Grace Carsella, Rachel Cheung, Kathryn Cleary, Grace Conway, Rosemary Cozine, Michael Cuzzo, Paulina Czartoryski, Ava de Bruin, Blaise Derenze, John Diaz, Danielle DiCristi, Frantz Doerrer, Robert Dumitriu, Meredith Fagan, Abigail Farrell, Logan Friedman, Jake Galgano, Eduardo Gonzalez-Heymann, Tristan Groh, Pearl Gross, Dylan Harrington, Aidan Heffernan, Helena Henry, Jahan Khan, William Klain, Diamond Lambert, Jordan Landsman, Adam Leavitt, Emma Levin, Richard Lily, Mallie Littman, Gianna Lobel, Xiomara Lopez-Leon, Chrysalis Mandell, Colleen Mannle, Breandan McHale, Patrick Morris, Morgan O’Brien, Terence O’Neil, Vincenzo Pagano, Ardina Perezic, Daroma Persaud, Emma Pfaff, Jennifer Puca, Dillon Razler, Samantha Reichert, Emmaluisa Riano, Darcy Roman, Jennifer Rotando, Lindsey Rudtner, Taylor Rudtner, Vincent Saciolo, Jesse Scott, Carly Siegel, Stella Smith, Laura Sunder, Lucia Techera, Liam Thornton, Taneka Tucker, Jared Weissberg, Wes Yanowitch and Lily Yeomans.