NASHUA – A tightly knit group of 16 seniors graduated from the Academy for Science and Design charter school June 5, saying long goodbyes to teachers, mentors and friends.

“ASD isn’t a school; it’s like a community,” student speaker Pragya Rachur said during commencement.

Student speaker Alexandria Cleveland praised the dedication of ASD faculty and staff in her address. “They show us what it is to work for the week.”

Of her peers, Cleveland said the senior class is the most “amazing, intelligent, compassionate people” she’s met.

School Director Jennifer Cava listed colleges the graduates plan to attend, including names like Concordia, Northeastern and Georgia Institute of Technology.

“I’m confident you will represent ASD well at these esteemed institutions. Never forget, you will always have a home at ASD,” said Cava.

Cava said she was proud to share the stage with the future doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs who will lead the next generation.

And with women comprising more than half of the senior class, Cava said they will “lead the way in closing the gender gap for women in STEM careers once and for all.”

The entire graduating class qualified as New Hampshire Scholars, meaning they all completed a core course of studies such as four years of English, three years of laboratory science and two years of foreign language.

Student speaker Carolyn Marquis said the student community is like a family.

“We’ve been through the pressure of one of the hardest curriculums in the state. In my opinion, we’ve all become diamonds,” said Marquis.

“None of us will ever forget traveling the world together, going to places like Costa Rica, China and Washington, D.C.,” she said.

Graduates handed out bouquets of flowers to faculty sitting in the audience during commencement, thanking them for their support.

“A place is only as good as the people in it,” said Rachur.

Speaking before the ceremony, Rachur said the class each attached a piece of the same puzzle to their caps in solidarity. “We all bought a blank puzzle and painted it. Together we make a full picture,” she said.

“I hope we can keep being there for each other through all the acceptances and rejections throughout life,” said Cleveland.

“It’s not about the end game, it’s about experiencing the adventure together,” said Cleveland.

“Who cares about reaching their dreams, unless you have a hell of a good time getting there?”

Hosted at the Nashua Community College, it was the 6th commencement ceremony for the science, technology, engineering and math charter school, which opened in 2007 with 33 students.

ASD attracts students with its rigorous academics; students take physics, advanced math and world languages by seventh grade.

The school now has a student body of nearly 500 students hailing from dozens of towns across the state.

The 2014 graduating class was the largest yet with 22 students; a jump from 4 in 2013 and 3 in 2012.

The school continues to grow, with the cap for next year set at 525 students.

Tina Forbes can be reached at 594-6402, tforbes@
nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_TinaF.

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