EVERETT— Two Lynn students played prominent parts in last week’s graduation ceremony for Pioneer Charter School of Sciences, which has campuses in Everett and Saugus.
Norah Asemota of Lynn was the PCSS II (Saugus) valedictorian. She will major in finance at Stanford University. Misato Chinchilla of Lynn was the PCSS II salutatorian and will study atmospheric sciences at Cornell.
Also, Melissa Gonzalez of Revere was the PCSS I valedictorian. She’ll be heading to Dartmouth in the fall to study biological sciences.
A total of 103 seniors (50 from PCSS II in Saugus) graduated last Thursday in a combined ceremony at Rivergreen Park.
Nearly every student will attend college, and more than $9 million in scholarships and grants were awarded to graduates of the two schools.
The Class of 2021 received more acceptances to Ivy-League schools than any other class in the school’s history.
“The Class of 2021 has been tested on so many levels. They are ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Barish Icin, PCSS’ chief executive officer. “We are proud of their resiliency and of all they have accomplished in their time at PCSS. We have high expectations for them as they continue on the road to college and careers.”
The ceremonies also highlighted the school’s diversity. The graduating class has ties to a dozen countries and 75 percent are students of color. Sixty-four percent of them speak a second language at home.
Dr. Lynette Tannis, an adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, delivered the commencement address. She is the author of “Educating Incarcerated Youth: Exploring the Impact of Relationships, Expectations, Resources and Accountability,” and is recognized as an expert in juvenile justice, school leadership and literacy. Her work as an adjunct lecturer, researcher and independent education consultant focuses on ensuring all children — free or incarcerated — receive the free high-quality public education they deserve.
PCSS II was selected as the winner of the Pozen Prize for Innovative Schools by the Boston Foundation. The award recognizes sustained academic excellence and innovation.
