Cristhian Zaldivar may be last alphabetically on the roster of CREC Public Safety Academy’s Class of 2017, but the valedictorian was No. 1 in more ways than his high school grade-point average Friday night at the school’s commencement ceremony.
Zaldivar, whose family immigrated to Connecticut from Honduras, will become the first male in his family to attend college, earning a full ride to Trinity College and becoming the academy’s first all-state student-athlete during his high school years.
He told the other 70 graduates and the families in attendance of his struggle balancing both Spanish and English as well as adapting to education in the United States during his valedictorian address. Zaldivar said his struggles only motivated him to succeed for himself and his family.
“I know I am a role model to my brother just like my sister and my parents are to me,” said Zaldivar.
Zaldivar will join his older sister at Trinity College with plans to major in economics and eventually earn a doctorate degree.
Salutatorian Tyriq Hill gave credit to his mother for keeping him on a successful track throughout school and assured his classmates of their future success and service.
“Parents, faculty, family and friends, as you look at us tonight, remember these faces,” he said. “As a whole, we are a talented group who will be future teachers, doctors, political leaders, and some of us will serve this country to protect our freedom.”
“Trust that we’ll be great in all that we do, and it is … because of the support we got from all of you.”
Hill, who will attend Boston College in the fall, plans to major in criminal justice, serve in the Air Force and become a state senator or representative.
The graduation ceremony also paid tribute to Doug Sullivan, a paraprofessional at Public Safety Academy, who died in November. His wife, Joan Sullivan, delivered the commencement address as the keynote speaker, imparting the legacy of her late husband on the graduating class.
“Doug Sullivan strongly believed in the betterment of people,” she said. “He saw the good in every person. He lived up to his commitments until the day he died.
“When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he was saddened, not for himself but because, as he said, his work was not done.”
Other speakers included Assistant Principal Anthony Davila, chosen by the graduating class to speak as the staff representative, CREC Superintendent Dina Crowl and Principal Jeff Larson.
Davila echoed the sentiment of Hill, reminding students of their legacy at the school and the possibilities that await them.
“The impact that this class has made in these hallways and these classrooms will be felt for years to come,” he said. “You have changed us forever, and I can say this because you have changed me forever.”
