It was the academy’s 13th commencement. Fifty graduates dressed in black robes were honored in the auditorium of East Hartford Middle School. Two of them were juniors who were graduating early.

East Hartford Middle School is a public school located in East Hartford, CT, which is in a small city setting. The student population of East Hartford Middle School is 890 and the school serves 6-8.

In rousing remarks to East Hartford High School’s Class of 2018, board of education Chairman Bryan R. Hall quoted the Sam Cooke song, “A Change is Gonna Come.” There have been times that I ...