Updated 6/6
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School held its 2022 commencement ceremony on Sunday, graduating 15 seniors. Friends and family, Charter School teachers, and staff, along with younger members of the school body, all met under a high white tent decorated with pastel-colored tapestries on the warm and sunny West Tisbury day.
Graduates entered to “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove, their heads adorned with laurel wreaths — a fixture of Charter School graduation tradition.
This year’s commencement celebrated the Charter School’s largest-ever graduating class, and marks the 25th year anniversary of the school.
“Twenty-five years ago, the idea of a Charter School in West Tisbury was a bold experiment,” said Charter School Director Peter Steedman. It was “an idea hatched in living rooms and kitchen tables across the Island.”
In recognition of the schools’ initial founders’ mission, Steedman said the hope was that “the school would produce graduates like you see in front of you today — creative, independent, with a deep commitment to social and environmental justice.” Steedman turned to the 15 graduates: “You are proof that this bold experiment has worked,” he said.
Steedman took a moment to express gratitude for MVPCS teachers and staff, particularly in light of the pandemic, “for their courage, for their dedication, and their extraordinary commitment to our students.” Steedman, who began at the Charter School the same year the graduates entered high school, praised the group for embodying “the key elements in the school’s mission.” The Charter School, Steedman said, quoting the mission decree, is “a public school that will cultivate lifelong learners in a multiage project-based setting within an environment that models interdependence as a foundation of society.”
“Two formative high school years were disrupted by COVID,” said Steedman. “They had to struggle with remote learning, Zoom class meetings, and long periods of isolation. The fact that they are sitting on this stage before you is a testament to their courage, their perseverance, and their ability to overcome what seemed like insurmountable odds.”
As per school tradition, each graduate received personalized gifts from younger students,
an ode to the unique ways in which the Charter School creates and maintains bonds among the school community. Additionally, each student was recognized with a special award by the school, specific to their personal contributions to the school and surrounding community.
Mathea Morais, Charter School fifth and sixth grade teacher and advisor, gave the commencement speech, sending the students off into the world with high hopes in the upcoming years, and sure of their future contributions to society. “As much as we have needed you,” she said, “the rest of the world needs you now, too.”
The graduates
Abner Da Silva Oliveira, who has worked for the Boys and Girls Club of M.V. afterschool program, received the Oak Bluffs Fire Department Scholarship, and the school’s “Good Doctor Award.”
Oliveira said he wasn’t sure about attending the Charter School when he first started, but now couldn’t imagine anything else.
Aylish Grace Clark received an enthusiastic rendition of Sally Rogers’ “Circle of the Sun” by the entire audience in celebration of her birthday on Sunday, receiving the school’s “Turned into a Butterfly Award.”
Brendan Cal Donnelly was praised for his work regarding climate change–related issues, and received the school’s “Happy Camper Award.” Donnelly said he hopes to one day take the place of Charter School social studies teacher Jonah Maidoff.
Ella Deborah Oskan, who was recipient of the school’s “Standing in the Sun Award,” was born to be a star, said Steedman. Coming “full circle,” Oskan, a Charter School student since kindergarten, once played the dog in “Peter Pan,” and will be ending her high school career as show star Wendy.
Emma Elizabeth Mayhew has been an active participant in the Chilmark Fire Department, and will be attending Bridgewater State University in the fall. In addition to being awarded the Holy Ghost Association of Martha’s Vineyard scholarship, Mayhew received the school’s “Brave Woman Award.” Chilmark Fire Chief Jeremy Bradshaw praised Mayhew for her commitment to the department, noting that just a few hours earlier, Mayhew, already dressed for the commencement, came to assist the department when Chilmark FD was notified of a missing 6-year-old. Bradshaw awarded Mayhew with the Bill Smith Memorial Foundation scholarship.
Emma Wild Fisher was the recipient of the school’s “Gentle Soul Award.” “She’s got the reflective soul of a Tibetan monk and the fashion sense of a runway model,” said Sarah Smith.
Emily Pinheiro de Souza was praised for her commitment to helping the school’s younger students, and for her passionate advocacy of women who are victims of domestic violence. De Souza received the school’s “Goodwill Ambassador Award.”
Hugo Burrows will be moving to Florida, and was first to complete the examination for the International Baccalaureate program in Spanish, which Steedman noted was “the most demanding academic program on the planet.” It’s an “extraordinary achievement,” said Steedman. Burrows was awarded the school’s “Tom Hanks: Can’t Get Much Bigger Success in Hollywood Award.”
Jaylin Leonora Johnson, a “true leader in dance group Island Hip Hop,” plans on pursuing a degree in cosmetology, and was acknowledged for being a mentor for younger dancers. In addition to being the recipient of the African American Trail Scholarship and the Holy Ghost Association of Martha’s Vineyard scholarship, Johnson received the Beatrice Bennett Great Aspirations Memorial Scholarship and the “Embarking Peace Award,” presented by Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation’s Hilary Dreyer. Johnson received the school’s “Lacy Redway Hair Stylist Award.”
Jonathan (“JJ”) James Polleys, “the first person in school history to be accepted into the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology college internship program,” was acknowledged by Steedman for his computer and technological skills, having been learning about 3D software independently. He plans on studying computer science at BYU. Polleys received the school’s “Good Neighbor Award,” and was presented with the M.V. Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Scholarship by former Derby chairman Mike Cassidy.
Maximillian Howard Vaughn, in addition to receiving the “Inspiration Fund Scholarship,” presented to him by Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation’s Hilary Dreyer, was praised by Steedman for being “an exceptional historian,” and received a card from the younger students which read, in part, “You are our superhero.” Vaughn was given the school’s “David McCullough: Our Next Island Historian Award.”
Morgan Elise Scanlon “has become a champion for LGBTQIA causes and helped our Charter School community grow to be a more tolerant and adhesive place,” said Steedman. Scanlon received the school’s “Jolyne Cujoh Award.”
Samantha Emily Seidel-Aldrich-Moodie was described as “tenacious,” and was acknowledged for her resiliency. “The Charter School [is] a stronger community because of you,” Steedman said. Seidel received the school’s “Emily Henderson Design Star Award.”
Stella Mae Hege will be pursuing a humanities degree at Hampshire College after traveling to Italy, and received the school’s “Nine Muses Award.”
Taybor Ana Estrella plans on becoming a dental hygienist, and has been taking college-level classes at Cape Cod Community College while finishing her high school degree. Estrella was given the school’s “Trailblazer Award.”