Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2025 – See Photos & the Grad List

Watertown High School seniors hug after graduating at Victory Field on Friday night. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 190 members of the Watertown High School senior class celebrated their graduation at Victory Field on Friday evening. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Watertown High School Class of 2025

(+ Cum Laude Society, ^ National Honor Society, * Seal of Biliteracy, % Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction, # Engineering Pathway)

Nabila Abenaou

Majd Al Hady *

Rafat Alananzeh

Amra Bibi Ali

Aleks Alvandyan

Caroline Meredith Andrade ^

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Evily Ketely Silva Andrade

Melissa Augusto *

Gagik Avakian

Lori Avakian ^*

Mkrtich Badalyan +^*

Sila Basboga ^

Uendel Gabriel Batista Santana

Iris Berati %

A 2025 WHS graduate holds up his diploma. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Gabriel Goodwin Berkowitz

Emilio Raphael Berndt ^

Marwa Bibi

Safa Bibi

Sawera Bibi

Isaiah Schimith Bomfim *

John Manuel Brennan ^

Jack James Brisson

Noah Geoffrey Broadstone

Jessica Camara ^

Devyn Canfield

Ava Mary Ann Caulfield ^

A Watertown High School senior gets a high five from a teacher as the seniors enter Victory Field.

Watertown Student Selected as Member of National Society of High School Scholars

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) announced Stefano A. Barresi from Watertown, MA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Co-founder and President James W. Lewis. “On behalf of NSHSS and our co-founder Claes Nobel, a member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, I am honored to recognize the hard work, passion, and commitment that Stefano has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said Lewis. “Stefano is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.”

Student Records for Watertown High Class of 2018 to be Destroyed Soon, Copies Available

The Watertown Public Schools provided the following announcement:

Kathleen Desmarais, M.Ed, Director of Student Services, is notifying the public that in accordance with  Massachusetts Student Records Regulations temporary records which have been maintained by the school system for the Class of 2018 are about to be destroyed. Former students have the right to receive copies of any or all of these records prior to their destruction.  

After July 1, 2025, only the transcript, which includes the minimum information necessary to reflect the student’s educational progress, will be on file for at least sixty years. Transcript information includes only name, address, course titles, grades, and grade level completed. 

The temporary record contains all other information maintained by the school about the student. All temporary records must be destroyed no later than seven years after the student leaves the school system. 

Former students from the classes of 2018-2024 may contact the Watertown High School Guidance Office at 617-926-7736 prior to July 1st and arrange to pick up their records.

WHS Grad Night Tradition — All Night Party — Continues, Volunteers Needed

The All Night Party provides a substance free place for seniors to get together on graduation night. Volunteers do much of the set up, and chaperoning. The following piece was provided by the Watertown High School PTSO:

For decades, Watertown High School seniors have celebrated their graduation at the All Night Party, a cherished tradition organized by the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). This event is a labor of love for parents, teachers, and community members who dedicate their time and resources to create a memorable and safe celebration for the graduates. The All Night Party provides a substance-free environment for seniors to gather and celebrate together one last time.

Q&A: WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi Shares About His Love for the School, Watertown & Construction

Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi

When someone tells you they have the best job in the world, you might be skeptical. Sit down and speak with Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi for a few minutes, however, and it quickly becomes clear that he truly has deep passion and love for WHS and the whole community. So much so he said he wished he grew up here. These days, the high school is just half of his job. Giacobozzi has served as the interim principal at Watertown Middle School for a year and half, while in the meantime leading WHS at the temporary campus, and being part of the team overseeing the construction of the new high school building.

Rotary Club Celebrating 100 Years; Appreciated Teachers at Each of the Public Schools

A teacher at each of the Watertown Public Schools received a gift basket from the Rotary Club of Watertown during Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy of the Rotary Club)

The Rotary Club of Watertown turned 100 years old in 2025, and the club has a celebration planned. The Club also presented Watertown teachers with gifts as part of the recent teacher appreciation week. Celebration

The Watertown Rotary 100 Year Gala Celebration will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 6-9 p.m. The event will be held at Stazione Di Federal in Waltham. For tickets click here https://ticketstripe.com/watertownrotary100

For more information contact watertownrotary@gmail.com

Teacher Appreciation

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week of May, the Watertown Rotary Club donated five gift baskets, one for a teacher at each school in Watertown.

Perkins Employee Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions to Special Education

Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind. The following announcement was provided by the Mass. Association of Approved Private Schools:

On Thursday, May 1, the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) held its annual spring board meeting and awards ceremony, spotlighting teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to special education over the past year. 

Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, was presented the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award, acknowledging superior direct service contributions to special needs children by a clinician, specialist or child care worker. For over a decade, Lonardo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the residential program at Perkins, fostering a nurturing and open environment that builds trust among families and where creativity flourishes. Cristy’s ongoing participation in special events showcases her investment in the broader community and her advocacy for students with complex needs.

College Students from Watertown Earn College Honors, Graduate

Students from Watertown earned honors at Lasell and Wisconsin, and graduated from Stonehill, and Texas. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities:

Honors

Lasell University

The Spring 2025 Dean’s List includes students who have completed at least 12 credits as a full-time student in that semester and have achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Georgy Arshakyan of Watertown MA

Kayleigh Dore of Watertown MA

Alicia Karunaratne of Watertown MA

Theo Jacobs of Watertown MA

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, initiated 101 students and 3 honorary members into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society this year, including Watertown’s Cecelia Maillis. 

The 105th Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, was held on April 27 in Tripp Commons; Evjue Centennial Professor Douglas McLeod was the keynote speaker speaking on “News Coverage of Social Protest in a Polarized Political Landscape.” Honorary membership was granted to three UW-Madison faculty/staff: McLeod of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Pete Keys, Associate Director for Admissions & Engagement for the College of Letters & Science Honors Program; and Diana Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes the achievements of the most outstanding students in every school and college at UW-Madison.