Manchester Public Schools, CT

06/10/2026

Humans of Manchester

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Grace Golas and Aine Corbett Cousins -- MHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Respectively

MHS is a big school but …. birds of a feather, right? And so it is that the top two scholars -- Valedictorian Grace Golas (at left in photo) and Salutatorian Aine Corbett Cousins -- spend a lot of time together and are good friends. They were even partners on their science research project, studying the genetic correlation between congenital heart defects and Down syndrome. Tonight, they will be together again on stage and making back-to-back speeches at graduation. “They are very good friends and share a lot of common interests,” said Christopher Garrahan, the MHS girls golf coach. Grace is an accomplished golfer and two years ago -- when the team was short-handed -- she recruited Aine, who had never held a golf club, and also Acadia Joshi Staples, another elite student and golf novice. “One might think that with such a disparity in abilities, friendships could be strained but nothing could be further from the truth with all three of these young ladies," Garrahan said. “They support each other constantly, are always positive and upbeat with one another.” Grace will be attending Trinity College next year, majoring in Biology on a pre-med track that she hopes will lead to work as physician's assistant or pediatrician. “My main goal is to know that whatever I do in the future is helping people and making a change for the better in our world,” she said. AP Chem teacher Jeremy Davilla said Grace models consistency, dedication and hard work -- taking on every challenge with a smile and not only flourishing but growing in confidence each time and remaining “one of the kindest, caring people I have ever come across in such a young person.” Aine (who like Grace is a member of the Medical Careers Academy) will be going to the University of Rochester for biomedical engineering and in 10 years hopes to have a doctoral degree and a job in the field of research. “What an exceptional young lady!” said teacher Cathy Mazzotta, adding that she had Aine in AP classes for three years and watched her grow into the confident, caring person she is. “I am fortunate to know her and can't wait to see the great things her future holds!”

06/08/2026

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06/08/2026

Congratulations Mr. Joshi!

An innovative and inspiring leader at Manchester High School for almost two decades, Parag Joshi today was named the district’s Teacher of the Year for 2026-27.

Mr. Joshi is widely respected by colleagues in the social studies department and beyond. He’s known for challenging thinking, creating a strong sense of belonging and fellowship, and ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and heard.

And here’s a detail from the story we ran when he was featured in our 'Humans of Manchester’ gallery 10 years ago: Born in India, he came to the U.S. at age 6, flying into New York with his family and landing on July 4, 1976 -- our nation’s bicentennial. “It was fate that I would become a history teacher,” he said.

06/08/2026

Humans of Manchester
Monday, June 8, 2026

Mahmoud "Moe" Omari -- MHS Senior

Moe said highlights of his years at MHS include the vibrant social energy on campus and the many connections he’s built. “I’ve always enjoyed being someone who can get along with everyone,” he said, “bridging different groups, bringing people together, and staying actively engaged with the wider student body.” Whether collaborating on school-wide initiatives like the Cup of Courage project or jumping into fast-paced debates in his AP classes, “I loved being at the center of the action.” Moe also said he is grateful to have had educators who helped him sharpen his analytical skills, engage in challenging research, and approach real-world problems with a big-picture mindset. One of those teachers, Jake Skrzypiec, said he is impressed by the way Moe relates to others. “He genuinely cares about those he interacts with, and will go out of his way to learn more about how someone is doing or what he can do to make their day better,” Skrzypiec said. “He centers humanity over anything else. I know this will serve him well as he takes his next steps.” And what's next for Moe? He plans to attend UConn-Hartford in the fall and wants to be a politician, but only after working as a human rights activist and a lawyer. “I see this path as the ideal toolkit — combining legal expertise to navigate the judicial system, the passion to advocate for systemic justice, and the practical experience of helping manage my family’s gas stations.” That business background, Moe said, has given him insights about the everyday economic realities people face and a perspective that will be valuable as a future leader. “Whether I am defending civil liberties in a courtroom, managing local enterprises, or helping shape policy, I’m committed to being a strong force for meaningful change.”

06/07/2026

Please spread the word:

Last night's 'Cover 2 Cover' Concert in the Park was postponed and will now be held tonight, Sunday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us during intermission (approx.7:15 pm.) for the presentation of the Hometown Hero Award to Chris Silver, followed by an Elm tree planting ceremony in honor of our country's 250th anniversary.

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

Grad Walks Have Red Hawk Seniors Excited About Commencement
https://app.smore.com/n/yzbr7-onemanchester

06/04/2026

The 2026 FOX61 Student News Awards winners were revealed last night and MHS won three categories:

Noelia Diaz won the CHESLA Education Award for her story “Lack of Diversity in Educators”

Noelia, Alex Joshi-Staples and Jasmine Michaud won the Best in Student News Feature Award for their story on “Opportunity Works"

Aaron Belcher, Ben Stokes and Elvin (EJ) Perez won the Not Just a Game Award for their story “Problems and Addictions with Teen Gambling”

Pictured from left to right are Jasmine Michaud, Alexandria Joshi-Staples, Noelia Diaz, Ben Stokes, Aaron Belcher and Elvin (EJ) Perez.

For more MHS news check out this week's OneManchester newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/yzbr7-onemanchester

06/02/2026

Humans of Manchester
Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Shaelan Gara Grady -- MHS Senior

Shaelan spent three months this year on a research project that looked at how different presentation styles influence student engagement in math classes. She observed and collected data from two different MHS math classes, conducted statistical analyses, and when she presented her findings at the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, was named a Life Science finalist and the winner of the Urban School Challenge award. “Working on the project taught me a lot about classroom dynamics, student-teacher interactions, and the overall research process, especially data collection, analysis, and experimental design,” said Shaelan, who in the fall will be studying psychology at Northeastern University in Boston. “Overall, it was an incredibly valuable and fun experience.” Thursday night, Shaelan will be presenting her work at the annual MHS Science Research Symposium (it’s in the cafeteria from 5-8 p.m.) and Dr. Kaitlin Levesque is among those who is especially proud. “It has been such a pleasure to be a part of Shaelan's journey, and to witness her mature into a self-assured young adult,” said Dr. Levesque, who as Shaelan’s school counselor has observed her ability to both question the minute details of a subject while also ensuring she understands the overall big picture. Shaelan says that 10 years from now she hopes to have earned a doctoral degree and embarked on a research-based career while being surrounded by a great community and also doing lots of travel. Said Dr. Levesque: “I am so excited to see what Shaelan accomplishes and how she makes a profound and positive mark on the world.”

06/01/2026

Humans of Manchester
Monday, June 1, 2026

Barraq Amadou -- MHS Senior

Yes, he is asked all the time about his first name and Barraq is proud to say that his father chose it because of his respect for and admiration of Pres. Barack Obama. “But my dad changed the spelling because he knew I’d be a unique person,” said Barraq. A member of the Global Studies Academy, Barraq will be going to CCSU in the fall and plans to study marketing. He said his highlights at MHS included playing football, being part of the Black Student Union, and meeting lots of wonderful people -- including his girlfriend, fellow senior Dezylah Phillips-Barnes. “What I love about Barraq is that he is incredibly dedicated and hardworking,” Dezylah said. “No matter what obstacles come his way, he remains determined and perseverant, refusing to give up on his goals or the people he cares about.” Teacher Lisa Downey is also a fan. "In the classroom, Barraq fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where every voice is heard and every individual feels valued,” she said. “His approachable nature and quick wit bring energy and positivity to those around him, brightening the room with his presence."