New Beginnings Family Academy public charter school graduated its first class of eighth graders Friday, June 6 at the Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport. Thirty-six graduates participated in commencement.

Of the 36 graduates, one-third has been admitted to such private high schools as Fairfield College Prep, St. Luke’s, Notre Dame and Kolbe Cathedral. Half of the students have been with the public charter school since its doors opened in September 2002.

“These bright young people have worked hard over the years,” said Principal Paul Whyte. "We are proud but also sad to see them go."

New York Times Best Selling Author, Educator and Businessman Stedman Graham, perhaps best known for his long-term relationship with Oprah Winfrey, delivered the commencement address, encouraging students to answer the question "Who Are You?" -- the title of one of his 10 books -- and not let others put them in a box. 

Graham told a standing room only crowd that he knew most, if not all, of them had put him in a box based on his relationship with the billionaire talk-show host. "Admit it. You know you said, 'Oh, that's Oprah's man,'" he said, as the audience erupted into laughter. "Well, that's true and that's all right because I know who I am."

At a special New Beginnings assembly before the graduation, Graham conducted a workshop and gave a motivational talk to 160 students in grades 5-8. Each child received a copy of his book Teens Can Make it Happen: Nine Steps to Success, also a New York Times bestseller. The books were underwritten by People’s United Bank.

New Beginnings Family Academy posted the highest statewide achievement in four categories on the 2007 Connecticut Mastery Exams – including #1 in elementary African American scores. Opened in 2002 to 156 students in grades K-3, the school now enrolls 360 students through 8th grade.