FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
781-540-1231
ecooper@massbay.edu
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (May 14, 2024) — MassBay Community College proudly announces that 2024 graduate Melissa Ribeiro of Milford, MA, has been selected to perform the national anthem at the College’s 62nd Commencement. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the College’s Wellesley Hills campus.
Ribeiro’s passion for music started at an early age, with her musical journey being a symphony of dedication and passion. Starting with her involvement in her church choir, she cultivated her talent through piano lessons and formal vocal training, even participating in programs at the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston.
![]()
MassBay Community College graduate Melissa Ribeiro of Milford, MA, poses on the Wellesley Hills campus, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2024 (Photo / MassBay Community College)
“Music has always been in my life, and I feel very honored I was selected to sing the National Anthem at Commencement,” said Ribeiro. “It is reaffirming that you can pursue your dreams, even if it is a new dream. Working in the music industry was always my dream, but I have evolved from my experiences, creating a new dream that I’m now chasing. To all my fellow graduates, find your dream and go after it.”
Throughout her journey at MassBay, Ribeiro exemplified the spirit and academic excellence of MassBay. She has been an active member of the MassBay Orientation Leaders, a peer tutor, an embedded tutor in Professor Joanna Herrera’s English classes, a valued member of the unified basketball club and the acapella club. Ribeiro has been on the Dean’s List and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Psi Beta Honor Society.
In gratitude for the support that shaped her journey, Ribeiro extends her heartfelt appreciation to her family, her church community, God, and the faculty and staff of MassBay, particularly highlighting the pivotal roles played by Julie Schleicher, Supervisor of Orientation Leaders; and English Professors Joanna Herrera and Courtney DeGeorge. Reflecting on her growth at MassBay, Ribeiro remarked, “I came to MassBay with no confidence at all. But the caring and understanding environment here helped me grow and pursue my dreams. MassBay truly cares about its students’ success.”
Ribeiro will graduate from MassBay with an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts Psychology / Sociology and will be transferring to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her future career goals include becoming a licensed eating disorder therapist.
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020, 2021, and 2023 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.