Building Brighter Futures Since 1964 Hosted at New Canaan Country School
HORIZONS HIGH SCHOOL
Graduates Celebrate 95% College Placement
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“May you be blessed with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.” —Executive Director Nancy von Euler
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Twenty-two graduating seniors in the
McMahon High School’s Center for
Horizons at New Canaan Country School
Global Studies in Norwalk, shared
Class of 2021 were honored on June 12.
inspirational thoughts for her fellow
Among the graduates were NCCS
seniors who made it through an incred-
alumni Jennifer Llamas and Brian Villalta,
ibly challenging year. She charged her
each of who both received awards. Brian,
fellow graduates “to be confident in
a 2021 graduate of Rye Country Day
college and in the journey ahead of us
School and 2018 graduate of New Canaan
to be curious, strong, atypical, and be
family, friends and the great program
Country School, was presented the Leah
extraordinary, I want everyone to go
that is Horizons.” Bankwell, together
Kimmet Spirit Award by Nehemie Moïse,
out there and reclaim your time.”
with contributions from the Horizons
Horizons Director of Student and Family
Monae Cherry, Horizons Class of
Family Council, gifted our graduates
Support, and Family Council representa-
2011, shared reflections as the alumni
with a new piece of luggage filled with
tive Luisa Osorio. The award recognizes
speaker and led the recitation of
essentials to help prepare them for the
a graduating Horizons high school senior
the Alumni Association Oath as the
next step in their educational journey.
for their outstanding kindness, enthu-
graduating class became inducted
Executive Director Nancy von Euler
siasm and dedication to others. Brian is
into the Horizons Alumni Association.
closed the ceremony with a Franciscan
currently attending Columbia University.
Monae joined the NCCS Apprentice
blessing that beautifully reflected the
Jennifer, a 2021 graduate of Greens
Teacher Training Program this fall.
Horizons values and hopes for the impact
Farms Academy and 2018 graduate of
Bankwell sponsored the graduation
the graduates will have as they head
New Canaan Country School who is
event for the third year in a row, recog-
into the world: “May you be blessed with
currently attending the University of
nizing the resilience, hard work and
the foolishness to think that you can
Pennsylvania, was presented the Jackie
dedication of these seniors, many of
make a difference in this world, so that
Roberson Valedictorian Award by Ms.
whom started with the program before
you will do the things which others tell
Roberson, Horizons Senior Program
third grade. Bankwell Branch Manager
you cannot be done.” All students were
Dean of Students and Culture. This
Toure Surgeon, a Horizons alumnus
asked to take a plant that lined the stage
award is in recognition of the student
from the Class of 2006, kicked off the
and present it to their family in recogni-
who has received the highest cumula-
ceremony by saying: “Undoubtedly the
tion of the love and support that helped
tive, weighted GPA throughout their
accomplishments from this group are
them get to this important milestone.
high school years and is known for
unprecedented as they successfully
their integrity and active involve-
navigated through a year of COVID,
ment in the Horizons program.
virtual classes and social issues. This
The class student speaker, Kemberly
class has shown true resolve and I
Denerville, a 2021 graduate of Brien
can guarantee it originates from their
NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Winter 2022
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For more information, please visit www.horizonskids.org.
