By Harry Kane

SCALE hosted its annual Awards Night and Graduation last Wednesday, June 22, at Somerville High School. The proud graduates, capped and gowned, celebrated their accomplishments together in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual respect.

Melani Bizarria, an ADP Student speaker at the 37th annual Scale Graduation was proud of herself on graduation night. The 35-year-old Brazilian native said, “I’ve been working very hard and it’s not easy to talk in another language.” She plans to attend culinary college at Le Cordon Bleu. She received the Harvard Bridge Award.

Dana Aleman, who received her General Educational Development Diploma, said she had started in January and had completed her program in just a few months. Dana is a single mother of four and was attending school for computer training. She’s currently a receptionist at a hair salon and a licensed cosmetologist since 1999. She will be attending Bunker Hill for either hotel or business management. The 31-year-old single mother from Medford seemed to be relieved to be graduating.

Kristina Huntley has received the Eileen Strier Award this year. She has spent 4 years studying her GED’s. Kristina, 37, will be working with geriatric patients.

Aurilene Do Nascimento, an Ell student speaker from Brazil, moved to the country seven years ago. She said, “nothing’s worth having in life unless you work hard for it.” She’s currently a housekeeper and mother of Adrina Do Silva, her 14-year-old daughter.

Tony Pierantozzi, the Superintendent, commented, “This is a great event…nothing but happiness and joy. Tonight’s the result of incredible perseverance by the students.”

Janice Philpot, the Supervisor of Adult and Continuing Education at Scale noted, “ This is an amazing evening for our students. Through their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to learning they have achieved their high school diplomas. A foundation has been set upon which they will bring strong futures and reach new heights. Today we celebrate their achievements.”