Weston High School will graduate the amazing Class of 2022 today, Friday, June 3 at 6 pm on the Town Green. They are amazing because of how they weathered a pandemic that cut short sophomore year, changed junior year between hybrid and in-person masked learning, and started their senior year with masks and testing. They gave up study-abroad opportunities, cut short or changed athletic seasons, and had harsh restrictions on theatrical and musical efforts. And yet, here they are–a resilient, wonderful class of 159 students, many of whom the Owl knows personally. This is the last Owl highlight of a few of the many–I only wish I had thought of this earlier. Come out and meet them yourselves–graduation is open to all (on the hillside).

Laryce Blake is another one of the Class of 2022 who I have not met personally. She was introduced to me by Keitrice Johnson, Chair of the Boston Weston METCO Parents Organization, and gives a new perspective to the Owl questions. Laryce is one of the METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) students; there are 12 graduating from Weston High School this year.

METCO is one of superpowers of Weston Schools and you cannot convince this Owl otherwise. Every one of these students has made extraordinary efforts to learn and share their experiences with their Weston colleagues. Some commute more than 2 hours a day in order to study here. We are lucky to have them.

Meet Laryce: –

+++

Owl: Have you been with Weston Schools all the way through? If so, Country or Woodland?

I have been with Weston schools since kindergarten, I attended Woodland school.

Owl: What did you find most rewarding about your time at Weston schools?

My most rewarding times would be the deep conversations in the classroom about real-world issues. 

Owl: Did you participate in sports, drama, clubs at the high school, and if so which ones? 

I participated in Black Student Union (BSU) and the Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Owl: What’s your passion? What’s next for you?

My passion is changing the world. I want to make this society a better one for marginalized groups of people, I want the things I experienced and many others around me to not be relevant in the future. I want to make sure everyone is on the same playing field regardless of race, class, religion, sexuality, gender, etc. I want to effect real change. What’s next for me is attending Suffolk University, majoring in criminal justice. 

Owl: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment at Weston High School?

My greatest accomplishment at Weston High School would be the ability I gained through my four years of developing real genuine relationships with those who had different perspectives on things like politics. Those friendships aid in well rounding my thought process and allows me to have respect for other people’s opinions. Additionally, I was able to share my opinions on how to make Weston more inclusive, and things that I want to see change and become better in this society inside and outside the classroom is another thing I consider an accomplishment. Lastly, the impact I’ve had on some of my classmates and teachers pertaining to race relationships and ignorance is something I consider to be my biggest achievement in Weston because a part of changing the world starts with your niche and the people around you. 

Owl: What advice would you give an incoming 9th grader? Or someone entering the METCO program as a student or parent?

Some lessons that I have learned throughout my experience as a METCO student that I’d like to share with those who come after me are to first, always take advantage of the opportunities given to you, get to know the faculty, and try to build genuine connections. Secondly, create friendships with your peers in school, actually, get to know them, and don’t judge or assume that no real connection can be made due to surface-level things like race, politics, or class. Never change who you are. Hang around people who not only fulfill you socially but also push and motivate you to be a better student and person. My biggest piece of advice would be to stay true to yourself and what you know to be true, don’t be easily swayed by the things going on around you, and put your education first, always.

Owl: Is there anyone you consider influential to your success?  A mentor, a family friend, a fellow student? Please tell us why.

Some people I consider influential to my success would be my mother and father; they were active participants in Weston and Boston organizations and activities and they always made sure I got to where I needed to be no matter the distance. they’re a part of the reason why I had a great experience in Weston METCO because they showed up. Secondly, some of my teachers like Moncrieff Cochran, Michael Kelley, Susan Bairstow, Erin McCarty, Matthew Henry, Kelly Flynn, and Latoya Rivers have been my rocks throughout my four years and really supported me inside and outside of the classroom. They will be greatly missed and they are greatly loved and appreciated!

+++

Best of luck to you, Laryce! May you indeed make the world a more just and equitable place.

Go ‘cats!