Gateway to College Commencement 2026

Daniel Doby

The Gateway staff is proud to celebrate alum and STCC graduate Daniel Doby, who recently earned his Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is now working as an Accountant. Never one to stop striving for more, he has also taken the next step toward his future goals by applying to law school.

Congratulations Daniel! We are proud of all your hard work and dedication and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!

Savanah Freidus

The Gateway staff is honored to celebrate alumna and STCC graduate Savanah “Savvy” Freidus on this incredible accomplishment. Savvy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biology, pre-med track, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst -another step toward achieving her dream of becoming a doctor!

Congratulations Savvy! Your hard work, determination, and ambition continue to inspire us, and we look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish in the years ahead!

Kiara Rosado

The Gateway staff is excited to celebrate Kiara “Kai” Rosado, who recently earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield Technical Community College. This accomplishment reflects Kai’s hard work, perseverance, and commitment to reaching her goals.

Congratulations Kai! We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to your future accomplishments.

Jenivette Rivera Davila

The Gateway staff is proud to spotlight alumna Jenivette “Jeni” Rivera Davila for her continued academic success. Jeni recently earned her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield Technical Community College and is continuing her studies at Western New England University, with a concentration in victim studies. Her passion for helping others and commitment to her goals continue to shine through in all that she does.

Congratulations Jeni! We are so proud of you and look forward to seeing all that your future holds.

Lacey-Ann Roberts

We are pleased to introduce Lacey-Ann Roberts, an outstanding member of the Class of 2026 whose journey reflects remarkable resilience and growth, and highlights the power of second chances.

Through hard work and determination, Lacey-Ann successfully balanced high school and college coursework in the Gateway to College program. She earned 36 college credits and achieved a 3.8 GPA, allowing her to recover academically and graduate on schedule. Now a dedicated student with a renewed passion for learning, she plans to continue her studies in Criminal Justice.

Lacey-Ann’s growth and quiet leadership have been inspiring to witness, and we are proud to have her serve as this year’s Graduation Speaker. We celebrate this milestone with her and look forward to her future accomplishments.

Zyhiem Clayton

What are your plans after graduation?
College, Graphic designing, continue modeling, etc.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Getting my head in the game and uplifting myself when times got rough during difficult semesters.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The staff made everything better, had a couple of friends.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Definitely Katara, Julia, May as well, I miss her, Ms.B did wonderful as well.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Stay consistent. It may be hard, but it is definitely worth it. You spend your time on a college campus and actually enjoy being there. It will 100% help you out if your going to stay on the college level afterwards.

Malachi Clemons

What are your plans after graduation?
Going to HCC for Vet Tech.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Everything from meeting new people to earning good grades.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The people and the environment is so amazing.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Katara and Ms. B, they are always there to help you.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
The first 2 months may be scary at first but the people are amazing.

Jailiany Fardonk

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on going back to college for my bachelors degree in nursing.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
No matter how hard life got, I still found time and energy to show up and make sure I got my diploma.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The support 100%. Ms B and Katara were always checking in, making sure I stayed on track.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Ms.B. She's been extremely supportive and the main person I could trust. She showed up, made sure I knew she was there whether it was academically or through personal challenges. I always looked forward to my meetings with her because I knew she was there and she would listen !!

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Don't give up. School is hard, life is hard but no one will show up for you the way you show up for yourself !!!

Mercedes Greene

What are your plans after graduation?
Vet tech trade school.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I at least tried when I knew I was struggling in and outside of school.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The support that I got from the gateway staff Ms.B and Mrs.Katara.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Mrs.Katara and Ms.B.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Please stay focused even when your life isn’t the best, because you have people who are rooting for you in the end and will help you if you ask.

Audrina Jenkins

What are your plans after graduation?
Continuing college and getting BA in psychology.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Getting into College!

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I enjoyed the support (Ms. B, Katara, Julia, Ms. Diana), we were able to kind of make our own schedule and the people!

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Definitely my friends and family. They always made sure I was doing well in school and were very supportive.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Make sure to add all your class due dates, if you have them, to your phone calendar so you always know when an assignment is due.

Sasha Mendez

What are your plans after graduation?
Going through with my tattooing.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I'm very proud of myself for pushing through my classes during hard times in my life. I never liked school or academics and always thought I wouldn't make it this far.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I really love the support I get from my counselors and the opportunities I get from being at STCC.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Katara and Ms. B, they are always checking in and making sure I'm on the path to success.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Study everyday and push through any rough patches because it pays off in the end.

Kenjalis Moody

What are your plans after graduation?
Become a lawyer or some kind of legal expert that makes a difference.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I was able to get my grades up and able to participate in classes when I didn’t have the confidence to.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The people at gateway were very good to me. I had a lot of opportunities and they were very understanding.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
This program has supported me and pushed me to do better and actually accomplish many things.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Keep trying hard. Reach out if you need help. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Eileen Moreira

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to finish getting my associates. Continue working at the daycare until I’m finished with school.  Then, I will find a better job.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Being able to push through and complete my time in Gateway.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I enjoyed meeting new people and learning more about what’s included in my associate’s program.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My mother supported me throughout the entire journey.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Don’t give up and push through, even if it’s hard in the moment.

Adriana-Lynn Mortell

What are your plans after graduation?
I want to attend college and also have a stable job.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
One accomplishment i am most proud of is being able to create a friend group with so many memories.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I definitely enjoyed meeting new people and having a great support team with Katara, Ms. B, and Juliaaa.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Katara, Ramah, Ms. B, Juliaaaa, Diana, and definitely my friends.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Just be you, don't let anyone tell you that you cant accomplish something or that your dreams can't be big.

Anastasia Padilla

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation include continuing my Associates degree, and entering a CNA certification program.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
One accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at Gateway is staying motivated.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The classes were what I enjoyed most about my Gateway experience. Experiencing a college classroom was the most motivating part of this experience.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My son inspired me the most on this journey.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
I would advise future Gateway students to stay focus on what really matters.

Demoney Rainford

What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to get the aesthetician license and become a RN.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Making it to the end.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I enjoy the environment, everyone at the office was always kind and we had a lot of support. STCC was always doing something nice for the students!

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
G, mom and nana

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
You’ve got this! It’s really not impossible. You can do whatever you put your mind to.

Saffi’yah Ramos

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan going to college.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Getting it over with.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The freedom.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Katara.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Show up on time and take notes.

Lacey-Ann Roberts

What are your plans after graduation?
Within the next few months , I plan to join the Springfield Police Cadet Program while finishing my CRJ degree at STCC. After that, I plan to transfer to Western New England University to continue my education. Long term, I plan to stay at Western New England and pursue a career in law.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
One accomplishment I’m most proud of during my time at Gateway is staying determined and making it to graduation despite everything I faced personally and academically. I learned how strong and resilient I really am, and I’m proud that I never gave up on myself. I’m also proud of doing a complete 360 in my education by earning all of my high school credits while also obtaining college credits at the same time.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
What I enjoyed most about my Gateway experience was the flexibility of the classes. I had the option to choose between online or in-person classes and create a schedule that worked best for me, which really helped because I was also juggling my career at the same time. I also enjoyed the activities and our weekly wellness groups where we were able to talk about our feelings, support each other, and check in mentally and emotionally.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
This is a complex question because, honestly, it’s more of a “what” than a “who.” What inspired me the most was the thought of graduating and proving to myself that I made it despite feeling at times like life was against me. Knowing I kept going no matter what pushed me to stay determined. As for who supported me the most, definitely my English professor, Professor Shea. She was one of the most knowledgeable and funniest professors I’ve had, and she always made learning enjoyable. Katara was also amazing — she checked in on me even when she didn’t have to, and she always had a spirit that could change anyone’s day.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
I would tell future Gateway students to always keep their end goal in mind and stay focused on what they truly want for themselves. During these years, it’s important to develop a mature and resilient mindset because Gateway is preparing you not only for graduation, but also for college and the real world. There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments where things feel overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you from pushing forward. Stay disciplined, ask for help when you need it, and take advantage of the opportunities and support around you. Most importantly, believe in yourself even on the days when it feels hard to do so.

Christopher Rosado

What are your plans after graduation?
I will work in construction and plumbing.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Participating as a treasurer and learning to manage money.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
Meeting new people.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My family.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Do not give up.

Sha’myaa Roth

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to go to college after a gap year and continuing to pursue dance.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I completed My Senior year after 3 years of hard work and dedication.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The Support I received and the resources I was provided.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My Mom and My Dad.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
It’s going to be hard but it ends up being the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.

Anelisse Sanchez Kasza

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to go to college.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I am most proud of keeping up with my grades and staying focused and determined.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I loved meeting new people and having a good school year.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My mom has been my greatest supporter, she has helped through my journey and made sure I was on top of my work.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
I would say stay on top of your work because you can fall behind quickly but if you stay focused and don’t let anything distract you, you will have a great year.

Joel Sanchez Kasza

What are your plans after graduation?
Go to college or a training program.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Being able to learn new things and meet new people.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
The people.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
Katara.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Have fun and don’t overthink.

Courtney Simmonds

What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to work so I can save money for a car.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
That I made it this far.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
Being here and finishing with my best friend because we both thought we couldn’t make it.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My sister.

Richard Sorrell

What are your plans after graduation?
College

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
I am proud of my consistency and work I put in everyday I was attending

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
I love the fact that there are many opportunities for what you want your next step to be and I like the fact that I can come to school and focus on my academics.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
I feel like my family has definitely supported me a lot but honestly just myself just looking for ways to keep on improving myself as the year went on.

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
Take advantage of your time here and the help that is given take the opportunities that you want and just put in the effort everyday.

Adrianna Tarraza

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans are to complete cosmetology school and be licensed for hair!

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of during your time at Gateway?
Being able to push myself for graduation.

What did you enjoy most about your Gateway experience?
Being able to build a connection with people and get a college experience before officially being a college student.

Who has supported or inspired you the most on your journey?
My family and counselors!

What advice would you give future Gateway students?
No matter how hard it gets, continue to push, the outcome is bigger than expected!

Additional Graduates

• N. Blanco
• C. Chaja
• C. Turner