Center for Global Studies Class of 2026 celebrates graduation at Brien McMahon

NORWALK, Conn. — 68 students from Norwalk’s Center for Global Studies (CGS) received their diplomas Friday evening at Brien McMahon High School, marking the end of a four-year journey for one of the city’s most distinctive academic programs.

The ceremony, held June 12, 2026, opened with faculty and staff processing to “The Imperial March,” followed by graduates walking in to “Commencement Suite.” The JROTC unit then presented the colors, and Olivia Flores and the BMHS Quartet performed the national anthem.

Mayor Barbara Smyth delivered the welcome address, urging graduates not to measure their lives against someone else’s timeline.

“Some of you are heading to college, some of you are entering the workforce, the military, trade programs, or taking time to figure out your next step,” Smyth said.

She also called on graduates to stay connected to Norwalk, no matter where they end up. “Communities become stronger when people choose to give back,” she said. “Never underestimate the impact one person can make.”

Norwalk Board of Education member Nellie Cole, a CGS alum herself, also spoke. She told graduates that roadblocks are not always setbacks. “Sometimes a detour can end up leading to a better destination,” she said, sharing her own experience navigating life after high school.

Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella delivered remarks that had been planned for board chair Howard White, who was unable to attend.

Student emcees opened the program by introducing themselves as the “future vice president” and “future president” of CGS for the evening, drawing laughs from the crowd. Diya Shihab Kavungathodika addressed her classmates in a segment titled “To the Class of 2026,” and Njeri Morgan delivered a farewell address titled “Never Say Goodbye.”

The school’s guidance counselor, Lilliana Murillo, spoke about watching students grow over four years, drawing on lyrics from indie artist Noah Kahan to capture what it feels like to leave a place that shaped you. “People may forget your GPA or what score you got on a test,” she told the class, “but they will remember how you made them feel.”

English teacher, Paula Fortuna, rounded out the remarks with 12 literary quotes drawn from books the class had studied, delivered by students and interpreted one by one, covering themes of roots and foundations, humility, humor, and the environment.

The CGS Class of 2026 studied world languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. Graduates crossed the stage to receive diplomas presented by Assistant Principal Jennifer Spero.

NancyOnNorwalk congratulates the Center for Global Studies Class of 2026.

Arabic: Natalie Andruchow, Vivian Balazs, Andre Benalcazar Arvelo, Trinity Cannon, Alejandro Cardenas, Aleena Castillo, Garryn Constant, Sarah Coyt, Jasmin Diaz, Malekah Eldigwy, Gabriella Fabrizio, Alexander Francois, Owen Hayden, Rebecca Hurwitz, Jaya Iyer, Diya Shihab Kavungathodika, Benjamin Legum, Jacob Legum, Najwa Muhammad, Connor Oatis, Dylan Payne, Nala Salahuddin, Gavin Sieling, Nicolas Viera, Kacper Zaniewski

Chinese: Isayli Alvarado Canales, Camila Fernandez, Kidus Haileselassie, Riley Houston, Julian Landauer, Olivia Lee, Mathilda Malcarney, Yulia Martinez-Peralta, Maurice Montgomery, Njeri Morgan, Liza Powell, Nikeila Ruiz, William Scott, Rodrigo Torres, Aleah Watson, Sophia Yepez

Japanese: Theo Alberino, Mia Argudo, Leonardo Blanco, Elizabeth Brubaker, Alexandra Bruno, Anastasia Chang Rodriguez, Finnuala Cronin, Mia DeJaeger, Camila Diaz, Jhoanna Diaz, Angelica Gonzalez, Angely Ilama, Jessica Kish, Jaiden Kravar, Dasha Kurbanova-Martin, Jackson Love, Hailey Maldonado, Sophia Mendes, Tristan Meyer-Mitchell, Augusta Nelson, Ashley Osorto, Daniella Pineda, Sanjana Rao, Yaxiara Reyes, Krish Shah, Aliarah Target, Anora Voss

Parents and families can view and download photos from the ceremony at the link below.

https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/51279b17e0a34a5db2320ca8e9ba51b8

These photos are mostly unedited and raw. What you see is what was captured on the night. Feel free to crop, brighten, darken, or edit them to your liking.