By JON BAKER

PAWTUCKET — With reception of his diploma a mere ceremony away, Brandon Wood stood in the Shea High School cafeteria, perhaps for the last time, and admitted he was both nervous and excited.

“I’m not sure what I’m feeling, except I can’t believe it,” Wood said as some of his fellow graduates giggled about him, and others quietly took in the preliminary scene to the Raiders’ Commencement, conducted in a packed auditorium Tuesday evening. “I didn’t think I was going to graduate. I was behind on some of the work -- mainly, I almost failed gym class. I spent a lot of time in it just talking.”
When asked what he aspired to be, he claimed a cook, but he didn’t quite know how to go about it.
As a very special guest speaker, Providence attorney Priscilla Facha DiMaio provided the answer.
Herself a 1976 Shea graduate, she explained to the Class of 2008 (187 strong) that she was raised in the Prospect Heights section, a “projects girl,” a first-generation American/Portuguese woman whose parents weren’t married.
She stated her mother was on welfare, and her father wasn’t always there for her and the family.
“I never thought I was worth anything, nor would I amount to anything … I saw what other students had, and felt beneath them,” she offered. “My clothes were hand-me-downs, and not fashionable; my skin was darker than most; and I could not partake in after-school activities because I had to work.”
Still, DiMaio claimed she well remembers her ninth-grade homeroom and English teacher, Elizabeth Drapala, who instilled in her a desire to chase what she could be. It was always of her volition to become an attorney, so she -- with Drapala’s help -- chose to study harder, not pay attention to what others said.
Following her own high school graduation, she worked full-time, saving her income to become a part-time college student at then-Roger Williams College.
“There were times I could only take one class per semester, but I kept going,” said DiMaio, who received her law degree in 1993. “Thus the 17 years it took me to become an attorney. I reached my destiny … It was a winding road, but a pleasure to have arrived.
“So my message is to never, never allow anyone, especially yourself, to hold you back,” she continued. “Don’t expect your parents to be your drivers in life. Do whatever is necessary to achieve your goals … Along the way your goals may change, but don’t stop the aspirations.”
After speeches from dignitaries such as Mistress of Ceremonies T. Gabrielle Gibson, Principal Dr. Christopher Lord, Schools Superintendent Hans Dellith, School Committee Chairman John Baxter (himself a Raider) and Mayor James E. Doyle, Salutatorian Leonard Kozyrev told a similar story.
He noted how he came to this country from Latvia at age eight, and how neither he nor his mom could speak English. He spoke of what a struggle it was, but how his new friends and teachers accepted him.
“You introduced me to different cultures and taught me phrases from various languages and dialects, such as ‘Crioulo.’” he said, drawing laughter. “Most importantly, you have taught me R.E.S.P.E.C.T. This is why I love Shea. I no longer felt self-conscious about my Russian background … The Shea atmosphere gives its students the chance to accept cultures new to (students) while still holding onto their traditional values.”
Valedictorian Erik Munsell asked his classmates to applaud their teachers, class advisor Joanne Pickford (who turned 60 on this stunning “Summer Ice Day”), coaches and, of course, families, then spoke of the many championships and awards accumulated by the football, soccer, tennis and volleyball squads.
“Academically, this class has raised the bar,” he stated. “This class is the smartest to be graduating from Shea and going on to college. Each trimester, we were able to acquire grades that exceeded those classes before us … We successfully raised state test scores 15 percent while at the same time putting together our 187 award-winning portfolios, all of which exceeded the standard.
“I want to leave you with this quote inspired by the heroic journey of Christopher McCandless: ‘The core of man’s spirit, of life, comes from new experiences, both good and bad,’” Munsell added. “As humans we spend our life searching for our true passion, something we love and cherish. However, that sometimes can be hard to achieve. Such are the trials and tribulations of life. But if you discover what it is you truly want in life -- that passion or dream -- you must reach out and grab it. Let absolutely nothing stand in your way.”