International Student News

Congratulations to Four of our International Graduates!

By Debra LaRoche Walls, Dean of Admissions

It’s always a proud and bittersweet moment to congratulate international students who have become like family over the many years they have been students with The Gilbert School. On Thursday night, June 15, 2023, seniors from The Gilbert School will walk across the auditorium stage to receive their deserving Gilbert diploma.

This year, the international program is saying goodbye and best wishes to four amazing students who offered great contributions to Gilbert; Ivan Lyu, from China will be attending Arizona State University, Evan Zhao from China will be attending SUNY University of Buffalo, NY, Jhonatan Silveira from Brazil will attend Barry University in Miami, FL and Youssef Nahali from Qatar is waiting for his acceptance from colleges in PA, FL and CA.

We thank each of these students for the cultural diversity that they shared with our school community and residence life family representing their individual countries. The international staff wishes Ivan, Evan, Jhonatan and Youssef the very best as they move forward and continue with their US educational college goals! Congratulations to all of The Gilbert School graduates!

Bruce Zheng joined the Gilbert School in January 2019 with a dual enrollment with Hartt School of Music in Hartford. This fall, he was awarded a certificate in recognition of the Pursuit of Excellence in Music from the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Bruce has been in music and band classes and performed in concerts and the marching band since his arrival to the international program. He recently received his acceptance letter to attend Hartt School of Music and has been awarded a $24,000 scholarship for each of his four years at Hartt.  Thank you, Bruce, for all of the great percussion musical talent you added to our school performances at Gilbert. Best wishes as you continue your college journey!

This fall, we welcomed for the first time two 11th grade students from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The students, Luiza Magalhaes, and Jhonatan Silveira, were hometown friends and shared the flight to JFK and one semester together. Luiza enrolled at Gilbert for one semester for her first American experience. Jhonatan, who completed the year, joined the boys soccer team and made his first High Honors quarter this past April. Jhonatan enjoyed attending Gilbert's Prom and has made friends with ninth grader, Bernardo, who is from his home town in Brazil. We look forward to welcoming Jhonatan back to Gilbert to complete his senior year. Obrigado Jhonatan for a great year with us!

Carlos Garcia, 10th grader from Monterrey, Mexico had a very active year making many new friendships at Gilbert and joining many sports teams. Carlos was an integral part of Gilbert’s Wrestling team. Here he is ready to meet his opponent. 

Carlos was a natural soccer player when he joined Gilbert's soccer team this past fall. He scored the first goal of the season! This year, the soccer team began with a new and encouraging coach and had a large number of new soccer players, making it a challenging and learning year for the team. Carlos plans on returning to Gilbert in August to rejoin all of the new friends he has made and will play for his second year on the soccer team. Way to go Carlos!

In January, Dean of Admissions, Debra LaRoche Walls, along with her husband Stuart, chaperoned four students to Butternut Basin in Massachusetts for a fun day of tubing. The temperature for the day was a chilling 10 degrees but everyone enjoyed themselves. The students who joined for the day were Richard Sebastian from Indonesia, Carlos Garcia from Mexico, Alan Wan from China, and Jhonatan Silveira from Brazil.

The international program welcomed it's first full-year student from Brazil this fall. Jhonatan Silveira joined as an 11th grade student and has made many friends who attend Gilbert from his hometown area. Jhonatan joined the boys soccer team in the fall and we look forward to him returning for his senior year in late August. He brings warmth and charm to us from his Brazilian
culture. He can be seen almost daily at the Winsted YMCA working out with his new friends. He is a welcome addition to our international family.