Mother and son receive high school diploma from Hartford Adult Education Center

June 13, 2026 - 10:47

A mother and son from Wethersfield achieved a shared milestone when they both received their high school diplomas from the Hartford Adult Education Center on Thursday. Gabriela Spagnuolo and her son, Gabriel Amestoy, walked across the stage together at a ceremony held at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

The journey was not an easy one. Spagnuolo had not finished high school after moving from Argentina. Years later, she decided to go back and earn her diploma. Her son, Gabriel, was also working toward the same goal. They supported each other through the challenges of balancing schoolwork with daily responsibilities.

For Spagnuolo, earning the diploma was about setting an example for her family and proving that it is never too late to finish what you started. Gabriel said having his mother by his side made the experience more meaningful. The two studied together, encouraged each other on tough days, and celebrated small victories along the way.

Their story is a reminder that education can bring families closer. The Hartford Adult Education Center helps many adults and young people complete their high school education. For this mother and son, the graduation ceremony marked not just an end, but a new beginning.