The threat of thunderstorms didn’t dampen spirits of the Montville High School graduating class of 2008.
On Monday, June 16, 207 graduating seniors from the town’s public schools earned their diplomas at the school’s 44th graduation commencement. This included 14 from Montville Alternative School, who held their own ceremony the week before at Montville Town Hall. There also were 7 adults who completed adult education courses and graduated.
“They’re a wonderful group of kids,” said Ted Phillips, director of school counseling at Montville High. “They are serious about their future.”
About 75 percent plan to go on to a four year college, he said. This includes those who plan to attend Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, a two-year school which has automatic transfer programs to any of the state universities, including University of Connecticut.
“Three Rivers offers so many more options now,” he said. “It’s a good way for students of all levels of ability to get their first two years. It’s just an outstanding alternative for many kids because of the quality of education you get there, as well as financial considerations. Many more of our students are going there.”
Phillips said another four to five percent plan to go on to vocational or technical schools and programs. Six have enlisted in military service. About 13 percent are going into full-time employment. Some of these have already started working part-time with local businesses, he said, and the high school’s senior internship program often leads to full-time employment and future connections.
“There are many roads for them, and many accomplishments by this year’s students,” he said.
Among the honorees at graduation were Troy Agard, valedictorian, and Courtney Stewart, salutatorian.
Students won many scholarship awards from both large corporations and smaller businesses and industries in the area, as well as institutions, and the universities they will attend, Phillips said.
This year, the Palmer Scholarship Fund yielded $80,000 for Montville students that are graduating and who are in college, he said.
Townsend Palmer founded the Palmer Scholarship Fund in memory of his father, Isaac Emerson Palmer, a leading Montville industrialist in the mid-1800s. Each year many seniors interested in certain fields are offered scholarships through this program, and the scholarships may be renewed throughout college, according to the Montville High Career Resource Center website.
All students living in Montville who plan to attend post-high school education full-time are eligible to apply for an Isaac Emerson Palmer Scholarship. Special consideration is given to those planning to seek practical education in technical institutions of higher learning and trade or technical schools. Applicants must be under 25 years of age and a graduate of Montville High or school of equal rank. Applications are available online through the Center, the main office of the high school and the Town of Montville-Mayor's Office.
Although students are ready for summer, it’s never too early to think about scholarships and financial aid for future years. The Career Resource Center at Montville High School is available to students, faculty and all members of the community. It contains a wide variety of up-to-date information on careers, vocations and self-awareness literature local scholarship applications. An extensive computer system is available with information on occupations, schools, colleges, military service, financial aid and career interest inventories.
For more information, go to www.montvilleschools.org/highschool/Guidance/News/index.html