When Ajay and Rosima Darjee, two senior students at Concord High School, immigrated from Nepal to New Hampshire as preteens, they were completely oblivious to their familial connection.

They attended Rundlett Middle School together and their parents knew each other. However, it was only during an unexpected encounter at a church event that the realization struck them — they were not just classmates, but cousins as well.

“I started paying attention to him after I noticed he had better grades than me,” Rosima Darjee said playfully, engaging in a friendly rivalry with Ajay as they compared their grades while waiting for their commencement ceremony to begin. “I would like to say I got a better GPA than him.”

Having lived in New Hampshire for ten years and belonging to a Nepalese heritage, Ajay said he never experienced any form of adversity in terms of inclusion.

When it comes to racial diversity and inclusivity, the Darjees said Concord High School has taken the necessary steps to ensure these matters are addressed effectively.

Yet, Ajay said he occasionally finds himself pondering whether he truly fits in. His introspection is mostly driven by his own mindset rather than any external factors.

“There have been times where I’ve questioned myself a little, if I belong or not,” said Ajay Darjee. “Maybe because of the interactions and also because I’m not from here.”

They also noted the importance of initiating more proactive conversations within the school to educate their classmates who were born here.

As their time at Concord High School comes to an end, the Darjees are embarking on their own unique journeys, but they make a heartfelt promise to visit each other frequently. Rosima has made the decision to join the military, where she will serve her country as part of the U.S. Army. Later she hopes to pursue her passion for numbers by working towards obtaining a certified public accountant license in the future. Meanwhile, Ajay will be heading to Penn State University where he will be studying engineering and playing soccer.

As the the Darjees awaited their turn to enter the gymnasium, donning their vibrant crimson graduation robes, Janeza Ignacio, a fellow senior from the class of 2023 stopped by to say hello.

Unlike the Darjees, Ignacio was born in New Hampshire, but her family relocated to the country from the Philippines in 1999.

“I’m really glad we ended up here because I have friends of color,” said Ignacio, expressing her appreciation for the diverse and multicultural environment that Concord High School offers.“It’s really nice to not lose my heritage or identity and not be surrounded by just white people.”

In front of a packed gymnasium filled with parents and friends, Principal Michael Reardon delivered a speech urging the graduating students to choose the paths that best suit their individual needs and aspirations.

“One of your most important jobs is to make your own decision on how you should live your life to decide what’s truly important and meaningful to you and settle upon the human being you want and then go about making the choices,” said Reardon as the attendees fanned themselves in the toasty gymnasium with the graduation pamphlets after the venue was moved indoors from Memorial Field due to unfavorable weather.

Valedictorian Roy Annis kicked off his speech with a seemingly conventional valedictorian template, only to disclose that the initial portion had been written by the AI Chat GPT.

“I haven’t had every teacher in the building but what I’ve heard is every teacher at Concord High deserves to be thanked by our students for all of the hard work they’ve done over the past four years,” Annis said pointing to the teachers whose efforts were not recognized by the AI software.

As the the Darjees and their classmates move on to the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them cherished memories, lasting connections, and the gratitude they feel towards their teachers who played a vital role in shaping their high school journey.

Anna-Marie DiPasquale, a retired English Language Learner social worker, is one teacher who left a lasting impression on Ajay.

“She was like a mother to me,” Ajay said of DiPasquale, adding that he wishes to maintain relationships with teachers who have supported him.

For Rosima, the Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator, Jessamyn Rockwell, holds a special place in her heart. Rosima said Rockwell has been instrumental in helping her realize the world beyond the classroom and envision the possibilities awaiting her in the future.

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