Liberty Innovation School Graduates 10 Students

New Liberty Innovation School awarded diplomas to 10 graduates on June 4 at the Peabody Essex Museum's Morse Auditorium.

Principal Jamaal Camah, who arrived at the school four years ago as the class entered ninth grade, told graduates their parallel journeys shaped his leadership. "When I've been faced with obstacles and doubt, I've asked myself, 'how would Sofia, Tyrone or Brennan handle it?'" Camah said.

Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, who previously served as Salem's superintendent, credited the class with contributing to Salem's gains in MCAS scores, attendance rates and state education rankings. "You've taken and passed early college courses, completed demanding internships, crushed your academics," Zrike said.

Commencement speaker Cynthia Nina-Soto, a Salem High School 1999 graduate who taught real estate at New Liberty this fall, shared how her family navigated public assistance and language barriers after immigrating from the Dominican Republic when she was eight. "Do not confuse a delayed path with a failed one," Nina-Soto told graduates.

Three graduates earned purple cords for academic excellence: Brennan Connor, Johana Rodriguez and Jay Thompson. Connor, Rodriguez and Tyrone Manifold also received red and white cords for completing four years at New Liberty and demonstrating excellence in science and biomedical studies.

Other graduates are Ray Barerres, Gilsarid Sofia Alvarado Torres, Wilver Armani Serrano, Silas LeFleur, Senaiah Lites and Nicholas Mateo. Each selected a staff member to present their diploma.