The red carpet lined the walkway. Large bouquets of flowers outlined the stage. The cherry blossom trees, in full bloom, encircled the majestic white tent pitched in between the many buildings. Excitement filled the air as hundreds of people arrived in glittery outfits, elegant suits and colorful jackets. Gospel music filled the air. No, the Oscar's had not relocated to the Fleet Center. The Country Music Awards had not opened to Gospel Music. And, J Lo and Ben Affleck did not decide to marry in Boston. The crowd had gathered to honor the 263 families or 526 individuals graduating from the 5th annual City-wide Technology Goes Home Graduation celebration to honor this year's participants.

Families from Allston Brighton, Codman Square, Grove Hall, Lower Roxbury, Mission Hill, TechBoston Academy and Uphams Corner proudly walked across the 12-foot stage to accept their graduation certificates from Mayor Thomas M. Menino, at the Wentworth Institute of Technology earlier this month.

Carol Fulp, John Hancock Financial Services Vice President of Community Relations, served as the evening’s emcee.

The Roland Hayes School of Music Percussion Ensemble and Gospel Choir from Madison Park High School energized the crowd with their harmonies and melodies that were not the usual "pomp and circumstance"!

Keynote Speakers Natasha and Kostian Iftica, graduates from the Allston Brighton TGH program motivated the crowd with their vivid account of the hurdles they jumped to take part in the TGH program and the impact it has made in their lives. The Iftica's, immigrants from Albania, arrived in the US two years ago and used to use body language to communicate with others. Mrs. Iftica enrolled in the TGH program, to learn about technology in order to help her children in school, and to help herself find a good job. Since graduating from TGH Mrs. Iftica was promoted from part-time shelver to a full-time library assistant at a public library branch in Allston-Brighton. This fall Kostian will be starting school at the O'Bryant and Helena, Natasha's daughter, will be attending school at Boston Latin. For the full text of Natasha's speech please click on "Allston-Brighton Family Delivers Keynote Speech" on the left-hand side.

"I have been to five Technology Goes Home graduations. And I really look forward to meeting the families who have completed this program. All of the graduates have great success stories to tell. And I know that countless families who graduated this week had similar stories – stories of hard work and remarkable achievement," said Mayor Menino.

Wentworth Institute of Technology has hosted the graduation ceremony for the fourth year in a row. "Each year, the graduation has grown in numbers so we decided to move the event outdoors. We were able to use the 1000 plus person tent used for our graduation ceremony," said Sandy Pascal, Wentworth Institute of Technology Associate Vice President of Community Relations & External Affairs. "We really enjoy participating in this program and seeing the look of excitement and pride on the faces of graduating families," Ms. Pascal said.

Following the program Wentworth sponsored a barbecue fit for a King. As the crowd moved to the sounds generated by Roland Hayes a sense of accomplishment was evident on the faces of the graduates.
  
As they congratulated and hugged one another one felt a sense of pride and joy. Pride in the accomplishments of the graduates and joy to be a part of this community. Despite the rain outside the tent the sun shined bright on the inside. It was a magic night indeed.

My name is Natasha Iftica. I came to USA two years ago with my family. We are from Albania. Before we came here we didn’t speak English. We talked with people with body language. It was very hard...

Technology Goes Home Graduation Ceremony
May 12, 2003
Program

The Roland Hayes School of Music
- Percussion Ensemble and Gospel Choir

John Van Domelen, President
- Wentworth Institute of Technology

Carol Fulp, Mistress of Ceremonies
- Vice President of Community Relations, John Hancock

Thomas M. Menino, Mayor
- City of Boston

Natasha & Kostian Iftica, Keynote Speakers
- Techngology Goes Home Graduates, Allston Brighton CDC

• Diploma Distributions
  Lower Roxbury NTC
    Nyvia Colon, Coordinator
• Uphams Corner Dudley NTC
    Renea Eliassaint, Coordinator
• Grove Hall NTC
    Adreenne Law Hampton, Coordinator
• Allston Brighton CDC
    Wendy McPherson, Coordinator
• TechBoston Academy
   Scott Weatherford, Teacher
• Mission Hill Fenway NTC
   Shiv Balgobin, Trainer
• Codman Square NTC 
  Ruthella Logan-Cruz, Coordinator

Closing Remarks, Carol Fulp

Reception