QUINCY— The 490 students who graduated from Quincy College Friday morning did so after a year of remote classes, an economic downturn and, for some, extreme hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Some, like student speaker Beatriz Martins, were the first in their families to graduate from college. Others took semesters off, worked multiple jobs to afford tuition and fought every step of the way to make it to the field of Veterans Memorial Stadium and receive their diplomas.
"In the end, the person most influential to helping you to realize your success in the classroom and in life, is you," Quincy College President Richard Decristofaro said. "You should be so proud as you receive your diploma, because we are so very proud of you on this very special commencement day."
More:Here's where you'll find photos, video and more from graduations on the South Shore
Granite Telecommunications CEO Rob Hale spoke to students about following their own path, success,failure and the importance of giving. He told the story of his first telecom company, which made him a billionaire before the age of 40. When the dot-com bubble burst, he lost it all.
"You heard some of these cool things that President Decristofaro said, yes I'm lucky to have some of those accomplishments, but I didn't get there without failing. Leaders take chances— don't worry about that. Failure will come," Hale said. "Don't fear it. Defy it."
More:Photos: 490 students graduate Quincy College
More:Quincy College graduates surprised with $1,000 gift from Granite CEO Rob Hale
Martins, the class speaker and first-generation college graduate, read a poem she wrote detailing what her time at Quincy College meant to her. She spoke about opportunity, obstacles and gratitude.
"I am grateful for all the struggles I have faced, because they shaped me into a stronger and more persistent student," she said. "Remember —keep your head up, because one day you shall receive your blessings."
Graduates of the city college Friday also received an unexpected gift from their commencement speaker. Hale, known for his philanthropy, surprised each student with a $1,000 cash gift, halfto keep and halfto give away to a charity or person of their choice.
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Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.
Fast facts
School colors: Blue, white and gold
Class speaker:Beatriz Martins
Number of graduates: 490
Featured quote: "Our nation needs your charity, needs your love as you progress through your careers and your life." — Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch
The Class of 2021:
Abington— Gennica Etienne, Brooke Picariello
Acton — Brianna Campbell
Avon — Maria Sostre
Belmont— Farah Fakih
Boston — Soufiane Ait Benyahya, Md Sahidul Alam, Dawit Alemu, Amanda Almeida De Souza, Fatah Amziane, Sorry Bah, Ailine Barbosa, Montanna Brown, Robenia Chambers, Fredjaly Cime, John Coffey,Carlos Coichy, Eileen Collins, Aryanna Cooke, Kerryann Dang, Jefferson Decopain, Harry Doirin,Chandara Eang, Michael Flaherty, Atika Foutouh, Korey Franklin, Madeline Gauthier, Hanna Getu, Michael Ginnetti, Taylor Green, Chenghao Gu, Kim Guillaume, Thomas Hannon, Gilberto Hernandez Mejia, Mahamed Hilowle, Samantha Ho, MaryEllen Hogan, Annina Ibrahim, Lexi Ibrahim, Davida Keazer, William King, Taylor Lavey, Hengxing Liang, David MacDonald, Seana MacDonald, Wilfredo Martinez, Jermelia McKoy-Collins, Matthew Muckerheide, Zhor Naoumi, Huyen Nguyen, Idiris Nur, Amanda Pacheco,Francesca Paillant, Marissa Petrell, Djayantha Pierre-Jerome, Waquia Ramsey, , Franchesca Reynoso, Ana Rodriguez Linares, Kachiri Suarez, Vianessa Sobrecarey, Thomas Sullivan, Charlene Tavares, Latiesha Terry, Gailann Toney, Linda Tu, Grace Vazquez, Yuberqui Vidal, Reginald Voltaire, Hassan Warfa, Samantha Young
Bourne— Alexandra Barone, Stephen Malone,Theresa Stanley
Braintree— Ergys Baxhaku, Hannah Bernasconi, Ann Boudreau, Julissa Castellano, Duyen Do, Kenan Enustekin, Suheyla Enustekin, Daniel Gadbois, My Ho , Theresa Lyttle, Nhan Mai, Nermin Nasrallh, Diana Perez, Emiljan Pici, Ivan Santana, Saul Santana, David Sheehan, Phuoc Tong, Minh Vu, Wanting Zhao
Bridgewater— Alexis Chiavaroli, Kaitlyn Franklin, Jonathan Veno
Brighton — Ayako Letizia
Brockton — Antonio Acosta, Shikeira Bonadie, Kenya Cesar, Nouselyne Chery, Jonathan Crowley, Ruth Denejuste, Mohammed Farooqi, Emalie Gotti, Leakhena Hout, Judith Ikeh, Louis Itacy, Nia King, Kelly Lopes, Christnel Maxime, Banasri Mondal, Keyette Ray-Wade, Marie Thomas, Jamie Welsh
Cambridge — Tegest Adghe, Farjana Afroz, Mourad Chettibi, Genesis Diaz Clase, Meseret Getu, Rubaya Kaniz, Khaleda Sharmin
Canton — Joseph Cawley, Reginald Fabien
Carver — Chelsea Dionne, Kristin DuBois, Steven Kane, Kristi Laura, Kristen McCarron, Fernanda Medeiros Contini, Jordan Orth
Chelsea— Jihad Daoussi, Ilgara Gadirli, Soumia Halhali, Mohamed Taoussi
Cohasset— Lily Blackburn,Victoria Ross
Dedham — Xhoana Demollari, Ashley Desire, Kathy Guerrier, Nadia Maloof
Dennisport — Fedline Francis
Dorchester— Hilda Betancourt, Amanda Blake, Nicole Burrell, Kathy Dang, Thanh Dao, Kizzie Gay, Alexus Gibson-Booker, Neysha Gonzalez, Brinika Hargrove, Brinika Hargrove, Brinika Hargrove, Korema Ingram, Matthew Layden, Jessica Medina, Kora Mosley, Lena Nguyen, Frances Oliveira, Isabella Perez-Alvarez, Jezabel Rodriguez, Dieny Sainval, Laneya Whitney
Dracut — Siobhan O'Neill
Duxbury —Elizabeth Cadorette, Everton De Castro, Tatyana Figueroa, Kellie Lydon, Hailie Morris, Christopher Pratt
East Bridgewater — Jane Larkin
Easton — Natasha Grzelak,Guilherme Silva
Everett — Alismi Maharjan, Sapana Maharjan
Fall River — Kaylee Dineen, Jorge Guzman, Kiara Pandy, Sotheavy Poum
Foxboro— Joeph Maher, Esther Nkwah, Nickisha Whitted
Framingham — Jake Nehiley
Halifax — Kelly Orlando
Hanover— Juliet Bull, John Murray, Colleen Oneil, Brittany Todd, Kaylee Violandi, Kathryn Wenzlow
Hanson— Jessica Blanchard, Christine Conlon, Kassidy Eaton, Laurie Spellman, Matthew Thurstone, Jacob Travers
Haverhill— Kevin Toledo Palacios
Hingham — Julia Paentzer, Sydney Rys, Miranda Smelcer, Weston Ward, Deborah Williamson
Holbrook — Giao Chau, Hannah Cooper, Stacy Gomes, Janelle Leggett, Amanda McKay, Cheryl Soto, Myrlene Suffrat
Hull — Dawn Burke, Melody McBride, Margaret Santry
Kingston — Nicole Arruda, Sarah Beane, Tara DeYoung, Jeanne Dilley, Stephanie Hamwey, Olivia Merrick
Lakeville — Jamie Stoddard
Lexington— Xiaohui Zhang Lynn
Lynn — Shawn Garner, Nicaurys Johnson
Malden — Mahilet Abirha, Gloria Mukisa, Bernardo Solorzano Pinedo, Solomon Tesfaye
Marion— Sarah Murdoch
Marshfield — Jennifer Benoit, Aidan Doust, Katherine Harris, Andrew Kane, Stefanie Lee, Samantha O'Connell
Marstons Mills — Christine Partin
Mashpee— Janasa Livingston, Brandon Prentiss
Medfield — Samuel Kang
Medford — Fatima Farahi, Martine Jean, Joseph Narduzzo
Melrose — Fatima Amri
Middleboro — Madison Pirro, Madison Pirro
Milton— Clarissa Connor, Brian Lally, Evangelos Pesiridis, Hoa Pham
Needham — Jasmine Vazquez
New Bedford— Kimberly Laino, Stephania Zenon Pierre
North Attleboro — Jessica Anello, Palmira DeBevoise
Norton — Neal Greenstein
Norwood — Ayushma Ghimire
Orleans — Jonathan Georges
Pembroke — Jillian Baldeck, Patrick Heeran, Reilly Shea, Melissa Wilson
Plymouth — Khaled Amira, Nicholas Anastos, Lisa Barrie, Skylar Blair, Jaime Burgess, Colleen Cameron, Megan Carey, Stephen Cavaliere, Dennis Dalton, Jeana DiBona, Eve Fonseca, Kara Goldberg, Tracy Goncalves, Cody Grassi, Gretchen Hamblin, Brooke Horte, Jessica Kirk, Alyssa Lampson, Ian Lazaretti, Hayley LeClair, Starleina Murphy, Starleina Murphy, Jenna O'Hearn, Carin Paulette, Jeannine Rigollet, John Rooney, Lindsay Shannon, Patricia Sherman, Iyannah Tillman, Isabel Ward, Hayden Whitehouse, Zachary Widdop, Hannah Zion, Hannah Zion
Plympton — Jonathan Rash
Pocasset— Daniel Fitzpatrick
Quincy — Nadeen Alathary, Matthew Albanese, Ameer Alghazali, Hayley Bacewicz, Erin Bonica, Samira Bouchha, Christina Brancaccio, Ashley Chandler, Mandy Chen, Phat Chiem, Janey Chieng-Che, Janey Chieng-Che, Benjamin Chu, Cristin Craffey, Stephanie Daunelorena, Miguel DeGrazia, Sabrina DeMagio, Tina Dewolfe, Audra Dompier, Tra Duong, Tina Falconi, Paige Flaherty, Mason Francoeur, Bryan Gilgallon, Vitoria Gomes de Mattos Sousa, Aimee Gruezo, Haley Hartnett, Ashley Hehir, Aaron Herrera, Chunxing Huang, Hind Jebbar, Rebecca Jonah, Conor Keating,Olivia Keenan, Sinead Kelly, Katelyn Kelly, Anthony Kelly, Elmer Lainez, Shane Lewis, Mirela Lika, Shujun Liu, Egon Lufi, Livia Lufi, Kathleen Martinez, Makenna McBirney, Jared McDonough, Ginger McGill, John McIsaac III, Quynh Nguyen, Christina O'Connor, Chinyelu Onochie, Hongliang Ou, Merve Paksoy, Jasmatie Persaud, Sarah Pierre Louis, Jaclyn Pitts, Tuba Rahman, Dominique Reed, Kevin Rhodes, Adelina Ribeiro, Abderrahmane Rouass, Kurthy Saint Marc, Seyedalireza Sarmadi, Anna Scolaro, Enes Serdar, Breanna Severyn, Rizwana Shafique, Brenda Shatee, Noe Suneus, Susan Tan, Suling Tang, Jade Tang, Rachel Tobin, Juntao Tong, Christopher Traietti, Hai Truong, Vlissara Upara, Danielle Urbanus, Britney Wei
Randolph — Daniel Baker, Kayla Coleman, Scott Cooper, Christina Cox, Jolanda Douyon, Craig Grissett, Dhe'Jour Relerford, Christelle Salomon, Naomi Scarlett, Luc Vo
Reading — Sahadeb Malo
Revere— Nouzha Belhachmi, Asma Djourdikh, Nissrine El mansouri, Riadh Kandsi, Amine Makaci, Brianna Roderick, Luisa Uribe Marin
Rockland— Samantha Aylward, Yvonne LeTourneau, Beth Lindquist, Rebecca McDonald, Harrison Oliveira, Islande Schettini, Tayla Swanson
Roslindale — Claudette Ivy-Brown, Johanne Jean, Kenniabellys Santana
Sagamore Beach— Hang Nguyen
Salem— Sarah Knowles
Sandwich — Elizabeth Harris, Sarah Wheelock
Scituate— Cullen Marshall
Somerville — Arun Bastola, Sheree Letford, Manuel Lopez, Beatriz Martins, Jennefer Pierre, Jacinda St. Jour, Ishaya Williams
Stoughton— Carla Bowman, Michael Gabelus, Winecarde Guillaume, Athila Soares Nunes
Taunton — Ramsa Reseni Ombati, Carla Pena, Nancy Smith
Wareham — Peighton Bourke, Tiffanie Carlson, Samantha Monast, Tiana Nascimento, Katherine Suddard
Watertown — Aksh*t Dhadwal, Patricia Nacu
West Roxbury— Rose Caton, Molly Duffy, Cyro Fadrigalan, Maria Jackson, Maria Jackson, Peter Lekaditis
Westford — Giliann Collins
Weymouth— Ali Al Quzweeni, Stacey Beekes, Sonia Benabdallah, Madison Bennett, Bryanna Blackman, Karen Brandao, Genesis Calderon, Maryssa Caseau, Madeline Daily, Jon Del Greco, Jiaxin Deng, Natalie Desrosiers, Taylor Faraca, Alketa Fejzollari, William Fisher, Brittany Grochal, Jordannah Hemeon, Daniel Keenan, Joe Keniston, Tatiana Khudanina, Denis Kikis, Tess LeBarron, Tyler Little, Kaitlyn Lowney, Victoria Luhia, Sophie MacMillan, Colleen Marini, Nerida Mbyeti, Jessica McDonough, Lynsey McKay, Rebekah Memis, Danielle O'Neill, Martina Ritz, Jennifer Rutkauskas, Elizabeth Shanahan, Anthony Smith, Martina Tawadrous, Sergio Terrero, Ngoc Tran, Makayla Wood
Whitman — Euclides Desousa, Robert Keane, Mallory McElroy
Winthrop — Aida Ouabdesselam, Radia Zeguir
Woburn — Priya Patel
Out of state— Uma Adhikari,Jared Allen,Jacob Callaway, Janelle Dillahunt, Mercedes Edwards, Goldie Lewis, Jocelyne Mogwo, Tashina Richardson, Wei Wei
