PEABODY — Parents, spectators, and school and city officials filled the Black Box Theater to celebrate the 23 students who graduated from the district’s Personalized Remote Education Program this year.

State Rep. Tom Walsh, Salutatorian Brianna Tejeda, P.R.E.P. math and science teacher Tracy Butler, digital media teacher Erika Sandstrom, and P.R.E.P. Executive Director Dr. Chris Lord spoke at the event, where the program’s largest graduating class yet was celebrated.

Dr. Lord talked about the program and described how special and useful it can be for students.

“Many of our students and families find that virtual learning simply works best for them,” Dr. Lord said. “Being able to learn where you want and when you want has provided many opportunities for students and their families. For example, just this year, we’ve been able to provide dozens of opportunities for our students to hold down a full-time, 40-hour-a-week job to support their families and still pursue their high-school diploma.”

Butler praised the students for graduating, despite having to manage multiple responsibilities, and knowing how to ask for help when needed. 

“A lot of you are handling more than the adults I know ever (have) in their lives, plus you’re going to school, plus you’re doing that with a brain that’s not quite done developing,” Butler said. “You had all kinds of things to manage. You had to manage your own health, child care, family situation, social situations, immigration, learning a new language, working full time, figuring out who you are.”

Bianca Burt was the valedictorian for the Class of 2024. The student of the year was Anise Lopez and Anna Carazas received the Seal of Biliteracy.

The other students who graduated are Naomi Aquino, Jurgen Arapi, Liam Burrows, Ellysa Carvalho, Skyla Dailey, Sofia Dixon, Jacob Espinola, Ashley Le, Jasbiel Lopez, Bryan Lugo-Tejada, Emily Luna, Braydenn Lunden, Gutyhond Nguyen, Matthew Peabody, Isabella Pena, Jeyren Perez, Adonis Rodriguez Diaz, Lucas Santos, and Dimitri Vlismas.