Twenty-two eighth graders at Wilbur & McMahon Schools graduated last week, cheered on by proud families, friends, and loved ones. Although the class is small, the strong and affectionate bond shared by its members was evident throughout the evening’s festivities.

“Every single one of you has made all these years worth it — making the classes funny and bearable,” Suyai Armenanzas told her classmates during her valedictory speech.

Suyai thanked the school’s teachers and staff for their influence, using words such as “genuine” and “caring” and “engaging” in describing them.

“Everyone here has made a strong and lasting impact on our lives. It has been such an honor to be part of Wilbur’s graduating class of 2024.”

Principal Jack McMinnon noted that many of the students have been together since kindergarten. He urged graduates to reflect not only on the lessons learned in their years together but also on what the future will hold.

“Over the last nine years, Wilbur McMahon has challenged you to become risk takers, creative thinkers, to be reflective and open-minded. What will the next nine years be for you? What will the next 25 years be? How will you challenge yourself?”
He then offered some advice to the graduates as they begin their next chapter:

“By all means, get involved. If you go to school every day and leave at 2 o’clock, you are missing out on the best part of school.”

Students reacted with whoops and hollers and warm applause when Superintendent Laurie Dias-Mitchell announced that Social Studies teacher Lee Torres is the Little Compton School Department’s 2025 District Teacher of the Year.

Dias-Mitchell said Torres not only has a distinguished military career, but is also the “ultimate lifelong learner and overachiever,” who has earned three master’s degrees and is now working on his doctorate.

“His strength in the middle school classroom comes from his commitment to shaping his students’ overall humanity and shaping their emerging civic lives.”

Addressing Torres, she said “Every day you inspire your students to dig deep to do better and to be better. You are so deserving of this distinction.”

The superintendent acknowledged the Class of 2024 as “an exquisite group of graduates who really delivered.”

“You did everything you were supposed to do. I am so proud of you.”

Students will head on to high school in Portsmouth, which contracts to provide education to Little Compton high school students, as well as private schools.

Meet the students
Sasha May Almeida
Suyai Armenanzas*
Colby David Aubuchon*
Jaelyn Audet
Carissa Elizabeth Barboza
Josef Haig Bobola
Mabel Donnalee Castanho
Jacklyn Rose DeSouza
Cheyanne Dionne*
Olivia Elcya Leech*
Kate Loper*
Colin James Makepeace*
Jacob D. Marion
Kyle J. Martin*
Julie Moniz*
Mariah M. Moton*
Chloe D. Oliveira*
Hunter A. Roberts*
Thomas J. Sullivan IV
Nicole Kay Vachon*
Joseph Weare
Cora Alexis Wordell*

*= President’s Education Outstanding Academic Excellence Award Recipient