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BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL
Celebrating shared joys
By REBECA PEREIRA Monitor staff
TylerDurandsquintedatthe shiftingimageonhisaunt MichelleLinguli’sphoneuntil itspoke.
“You’veworkedsohard,”Kate Flannery,theactressknownfor portrayingMeredithPalmeron NBC’s“TheOffice,”chirpedfrom insidethesmallscreen.
Durand,adie-hardfan,worea referencetoFlannery’sshowonhis bedazzledgraduationcapashe watchedhermessagecongratulatinghimforanachievement sharedbynooneelseinhisgraduatingclass:thatofvaledictorian.
Deliveringaspeechbeforeasea ofhispeers,Durandrecalledthe othercapshe’dwornduringhisacademiclife:oneblue,theothergreen andemblazonedwithaCeltics logo.
Bothwereshieldsforhim,ananxiousteenager,tohidebehind.He wasa“quiet,go-with-the-flowtype ofkid”whofearedquestioning harshgradeshefelthedidn’tdeserve.
Theyoungmanstandingatthe podium,drapedinsashes,braided cordsandmedals,couldn’tbemore differentfromthepersonhedescribed.
“Wewillencountercountlessopportunitiestogrow,exploreand change.Myadviceistotakeevery one,”hesaid,recallingatripto Francethatalteredhisperception ofhimselfandemboldenedhimto livedifferently.
Linguli,hisproudaunt,joltedforwardinherlawnchairandclanged acowbellinsupport.
“Everyopportunityyoudecline, everyopportunityyoumissisa transformationalmomentyou’re neglecting,”headded Durand,who’schosentostudy biochemistryattheUniversityof NewHampshireinthefall,wasone of84studentswhofiledontothe baseballfieldatBelmontHigh School.
Theyarrivedasstudentsandleft, misty-eyedandeuphoric,asthe school’snewestalumni.
Eachonenowchartsanewpath. Followinginhismother’sfootsteps, Durandhopestobecomeapharmacist.MadisonSmith,theclasssalu-
tatorian,planstopursuepsychology atSt.LawrenceUniversity.Four studentsfromtheclassof2025will jointhemilitary.
MadelynBesegaiandAdeline TakantjashavebothchosentoenrollinnursingprogramsatEmmanuelCollegeandWheatonCollege,respectively.Thetwofriends alreadyplantodrivethe40-minute distancebetweentheirnewschools forregularvisits.
Atgraduation,BesegaiandTakantjasreminiscedoversillyskitsthey
filmedtogetherwithwhatever downtimetheyhadinelementary school.Theyremembereddrifting apartforsometimebeforereunitinginhighschooloverdissectionsintheiranatomyandphysiologyclassandduringaformative two-weekFrenchexchangetrip.
“Webothhaddifferentexperiences,butwhenwewereapartand wewouldfinallymeetupagain,we wouldbothbelike,‘Ohmygosh,I haven’tseenyouinsolong!’And wewouldjustdebriefabouteverythingwe’vedone,”Besegairecalled.
Guardingherfront-rowseat, Takantjaspreparedtwodozen flowerstodistributetolovedones duringtheevening’sflowerceremony.Shesavedaspecialrecognitionforhermom,EdithTakantjas, whohastaughtFrenchatBelmont Highsince2008andservedasthe seniorclassadvisor.
Edithconfessedassheorganized seatsnearthestage:“There’sbeena lotofcrying.”
Aheadoftheceremony,Durand’s family,too,felttheemotion spreadingacrossthefield.
Hisgrandfather,BobCormier,
boastedofDurandnotonlyasthe firstinhisgraduatingclassbutas thefirstofhisgrandchildrento graduatehighschoolatall.His youngestgrandchildrendartedin circlesaroundhislegswhiletheir cousintriedtoarticulatetheintensityofhisemotions.
StandingatDurand’ssideinher crispwhiterobe,Smith,thesalutatorian,madealist:“I’mfeeling scaredbuthappy,excited,anxious andnervous.”
Henoddedinagreement.“I’m feelingeveryemotion,”hesaid.
RebecaPereiracanbereachedat rpereira@cmonitor.com.
REBECA PEREIRA/ Monitor staff photos
BISHOP BRADY HIGH SCHOOL
‘You have something to give’
By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY Monitor staff
StudentsflutteredaboutthelibraryatBishopBradyHigh Schoolaffixingtheircapsand gowns,takingselfiesandhugging theirfriends.
And,ofcourse,theever-pertinentquestionpoppedaroundthe roominrapidfire:Whichwaydoes thetasselgo?
“Lefttoright?”studentsasked. PrincipalAndreaElliotandlongtimegraduationphotographerGreg Fortierexplainedtoseveralseniors whosoughttheiradvicethatno, you’llwanttomoveitfromrightto left.
Lessthantwohourslater,75studentshailingfromfourdifferent countriespickeduptheirtassels andmomentouslycrossedthem overthebridgeoftheircapstothe leftside,signifyingtheirgraduation fromBishopBradyHighSchool.
ForNateWax,whocametoConcord’sprivateCatholicschoolfrom FloridatoparticipateintheNew
HampshireMountainKingsice hockeyprogram,ithasn’tquitehit yet.
“It’salittlebittersweet,justbecause…it’stheend,youknow?” Waxsaid.“Anewchapterhas begun,butlike,alsoone’sclosing, andthat’salittlesad.”
NickPagauisan,theseniorclass president,saidtheworkheputinto creatinga“functionalandsuccessful”studentcouncilwillstick withhim,aswillhisschool’s HabitatforHumanitymissiontrip toWestVirginiaandhistime leadingtheSycamoreGarden Growers,aclubthatcultivates plantsforthecommunitygardenon NHTI’scampus(aserviceforwhich theMonitorfeaturedPagauisanasa HometownHerowhenhewasa sophomore).
“Thosekindofconnectionsand sharedexperiencesarethethings thatmakesaying‘goodbye’here prettytough,”Pagauisansaid.
PagauisanisofftoCroatiafora graduationtrip,thenstartsat
BostonCollegeinthefall,wherehe intendstostudyeconomics.Wax willplayjuniorshockeynextyear, thenplanstoheadtoMichiganState University.
Otherstudentsspokeofthesense ofbelongingtheyfoundatBishop Brady,likeKimbleRose,aFranklin residentwhoencounteredmore like-mindedpeopletherethanshe hadgrowingupinpublicschool.
“IwasabletofeellikeI’msurroundedbyotherpeoplewho wantedtolearn,”saidRose.“Itwas areallybigchangeforme,andareallywelcomedone.”
Afterfouryearsplayingvarsity fieldhockeyandsoftball,participatinginservicetripsand squeezingmyriadotheractivities intoherhigh-schoolcareer,Rose departslaterthismonthfor BrighamYoungUniversityinUtah, whereshe’llstudyelementaryeducation.
ValedictorianAverySahrand salutatorianCamdynDespres,who addressedthecrowdFriday
evening,thankedtheirclassmates fortheacceptance,kindnessand friendshipstheyfoundinhigh school.
But,Sahrsaid,it’sonbrand.It’s just“BradybeingBrady.”
Callingonherfellowgraduatesto reflectonallthey’velearnedand howfarthey’vecomeofthepast fouryears,Sahrleftthemwithsome partingwordsofadvice.
“Ihopeyouwalkintoeveryroom knowingthatyouhavesomething togive.Andwhenyouforget,Ihope yourememberwhatitfeltliketobe lovedhere,”shesaid.“Choosejoy whenit’shard,givekindnesswhen it’snotearnedandletyourlifebea radicalactoflove.”
CharlotteMatherlyisthestatehousereporterfortheConcordMonitorandMonadnockLedger-TranscriptinpartnershipwithReportfor America.FollowheronXat@charmatherly,subscribetoherCapital Beatnewsletterandsendheranemail atcmatherly@cmonitor.com.
CHARLOTTE MATHERLY/ Monitor staff
Valedictorian Avery Sahr shakes hands with school leaders after her speech at Bishop Brady High School’s graduation in Concord on June 6.
BOW HIGH SCHOOL
Starting a new chapter
By JEREMY MARGOLIS Monitor staff
OnefinalcornyjokestoodbetweentheBowHighSchool seniorsandtheirhigh schooldiplomas.
“HeyCole,”saidfirst-yearprincipalMattFisk,addressingablond studentinthefrontrow.“Ionly know25lettersofthealphabet.I don’tknowwhy.”
ColeCochraneandhis146classmatesburstintoknowinglaughter, notatthequalityofthepun–sorry, Mr.Fisk–butratheratthetribute towhathadbecomeaBowHigh morningritual.
Weeksintosenioryear, Cochrane,achoirsingerandimproventhusiast,beganaddingajoke tohis9:50a.m.deliveryofthe school’smorningannouncements. Thetraditionstuck.
“That’sdefinitelywherepeople aretryingtowakeupalittlebit–likethefirstclassyou’realwaysreallytiredfor,”hesaid.“Soifyoucan getalittlepumpedupfortherestof theday,that’smygoal.”
InsideapackedSullivanArenaat SaintAnselmCollegeonJune13, theBowHighgraduateshadplenty tofeelpumpedupabout.They burstintoapplausefollowingclass secretaryEmilyFauteux’sbooming renditionofthenationalanthem andwipedawaytearsastheconcert choirharmonizedthrough“IAm StillYourDreamer.”
Andtheyreminiscedaboutthesingularmomentsthatstickwiththem: bringingcouchestofootballgames, anintensegameofmusicalchairs,a runtothegirls’soccerstatechampionshipandqualifyingfortheworld championshipinrobotics.
ButclasspresidentAdamValpey
saidthoseaccomplishments,as greatastheywere,willnotdefine theBowHighSchoolClassof2025.
“Weareaclassthatcannotbe summedupbyafewstoriesoraccolades,becauseourimpactrunsfar deeper,”Valpeysaid.“Wearea classwithapersonalitythathas builtrelationshipsandestablished rootsallacrossthecommunity.”
Otherstudentspeakersimparted advice:“Whensomethingiswrong, evenifeveryoneelseisdoingit,we
shouldchangecoursetoavoidit,” ColinFitzpatricksaid.“Don’tsay thingsthatyoudon’tmeanoract likesomeoneyoudespise.Decideto bebetterthanthem.”
Manygraduatesalludedtotheinfluenceoftheirparentsonboth theirlifeoutlookandthepaththey willnowpursue.
home,isconsideringbecominga schoolpsychologistorsocial worker,motivatedbytheworkthat peopleshegrewupwithdo.She willstudysocialworkandpsychologyatGordonCollege.
GabriellaTarsaplanstobecomea pilot.
“Myparentsareflightattendants andtheyhaveareallycoollifestyle, andIjustalwaysadmiredthat,”said Tarsa,whoisofftoPurdue.
“Mymomwouldtellme,‘You can’tliveyourlifeforFridaybecausethebestdayofyourlifecould happenonaTuesday,’”saidclass vicepresidentClaireUlrich.“Now, whenshefirstsaidthistome,I thought,‘Noway–thebestdayof mylifeisnothappeningona Tuesday,’butIbegantolistentoher wordsandtrytolivebythem.”
Somegraduates–perhapstaking toheartFitzpatrick’sadvicetobuck societaltrends–acknowledged theyarestillfiguringoutwhich pathstotread.
PrincetonUniversity-bound PreeshaChatterjee,aeuphoniumplayingmemberoftheschoolband, hopestofollowinherfather’sfootstepsandbecomeaneconomistin thepublicsector.
ChelseaDeVincenzo,whohas workedasadietaryaideatanursing
Forhisseniorproject,James Menezesauthoredabookcalled “TheHeart’sCandle,”anovellafocusingon“ajourneyaboutdiscoveringpurposeandwhattoliveyour lifefor.”
Itisajourneyhehimselfison. Hisplanfornextyear:“GotocollegeandfigureoutwhatIwantto dowithlife.”
JEREMY MARGOLIS / Monitor staff
Class president Adam Valpey gives principal Matt Fisk a high five. Bow High School graduates gathered at Saint Anselm College on June 13 to celebrate their accomplishments and mark a new chapter.
CONCORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Graduates mark accomplishments, faith
By ALEXANDER RAPP Monitor staff
JamisonBanksaddressedhisclass of32fellowConcordChristian AcademygraduatesatOneChurch inBedfordwithasimplephrasehis fathertaughthim:“Sometimesa fallenworldfallsonus.”
Hischargetotheseniorclasswas notacomplaintabouttheworldbut ratherapleatohisclassmatesnotto allowtheworldtoshaketheirfaith. HecontinuedwithaquotebyC.S. Lewisandsaid,“Amandoesnot callalinecrookedunlesshehas someideaofstraightinmind.”
Hismother,Bree,hasfoughtstage fourterminalbreastcancerforover twoyears,andheoftenthinksabout whytragedyiseverywhereandin abundance.Hisfaithandtheplanin storeforhimcomfortedhimashe spokedecisivelytohisclass.
“Ithinkitmeans,tograduate,I’m ontothenextthing.Thewaythat myfaithplayedapartisjusthaving thisconfidence,whereverI’mgoing toendup,it’sgoingtobewhatGod hasplannedforme,soIdon’tneed tofear,”Bankssaidaftertheceremony.
“It’ssuchagifttohaveachild grow,agrown-upchildgrow,tomaturityandlovetheLordintheway hedoes.Wecouldn’taskformore,” saidBree,whowasinattendanceat theceremony.
Manyotherstudentsechoedsimilarsentimentsduringtheirtimeon stage.
MackenzieRobertson,whoalso ledachargetotheseniorclass,salutatorianBriannaSlavikandvaledictorianKristinaBaglioallreferredto someoftheirfavoriteBibleverses thatconveyedmessagesofhope, determinationandconfidencein theirfriends.
Thomas Charbono receives his diplomaand shakesthehand ofRob Starner, Headof Schoolat Concord Christian Academy.
Bagliohadaclass-leading4.3 grade-pointaverageandreceiveda PresidentialAcademicScholarship toattendCedarvilleUniversity,a privateBaptistUniversityinOhio, tostudymolecularbiology.
Thestudentswentthrougha whirlwindofemotionsastheceremonyincludedavideopresentation ontheirseniortriptotheOuter BanksinNorthCarolina,apassing ofthebatonbyclasspresidentLylah ShumwaytojuniorRaelynTaylor andaparentappreciationtributeby SadieThompsonbeforeherfather, Tyler,gavethecommencement speech.
PastorTylerThompsonurgedpatience,compassion,faithandunderstandingfromgraduatesasthey goforthintotheworld.Hewas
proudtosaythattheywereall broughtupwiththestrongmission ofspiritual,intellectual,emotional, physicalandcreativegrowththat ConcordChristianstrivestoinstill withinstudents.
Aftertheceremony,graduates metwiththeirfamiliesandfriends andgatheredtotakephotos.One groupgatheredaroundThompson andfellowgraduateLilliCarlile,a memberoftheCCAgirls’basketball teamthatwentonanunprecedentedgauntletofthreestatechampionshipsinthreedivisionsover threeyears.
CarlilewillattendLeeUniversity
Damon Corbett
Concord High School
tostudyoccupationaltherapyand hasreceivedafullscholarshipto continueherbasketballcareer.Her mother,Rebecca,thegirls’basketballcoach,saidthatit’snotalways easytobecoachedbyaparentand isveryexcitedtoseeherplayatthe nextlevel.
“Itfeelssosurreal.It’samixof emotions.It’ssuperhappyandsad atthesametimeknowingthatI’m leavingandmovingawaybutI’m superexcitedforthenextchapter ofmylife,”Lillisaid.
AlexanderRappcanbereachedat arapp@cmonitor.com.
Watching you make the very best of your time at CHS has beena great pleasure to us. Academics, GAPP, Fotball, Wrestling, weight room, Band - you crushed the goals you set.
‘The door to the next chapter is opening, and oh the places you are going to help people go! With brains in your head, SnapOn wrenches in your hands , and Timberlands on your feet! Congratulations Damon. We love you and are proud of you! Mom, Abigail and Gran.
ALEXANDER RAPP/ Monitor staff photos
Logan Duffy, who will play basketball for NHTI in the fall, embraced his father, Bill, during CCA’s graduation parent appreciation segment.
A RISING TIDE
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN Monitor staff
Everyonehasheardaboutthe kidswhofellbehindduring thepandemic,theoneswho struggledinhybridclassesorto connectwithotherscomingoutof lockdown.TabithaNedeauwasone ofthem.
NedeauandtherestoftheClass of2025cameintoConcordHigh Schoolasrestrictionsbeganto relax,yetitdidn’tmeantheir worlds,ortheirselves,werebackto normal.Shefellbehind.
ButbeforeNedeauwasajunior worriedaboutwhethershe’dbe abletograduateontime,shewasa kindergartnerinhergrandmother Jerilynn’sclass.Adetermined teacher’sassistant,Nedeauknew
eventhenthatshewantedtofollow inthefootstepsof“Ms.Jeri”andthe otherteachersinherfamily.
Thatgoalispartofwhatgother throughnightclassesandmake-up credits.AndonSaturday,wearinga capshe’ddecoratedtoassertthat,a la“Wicked,”sheisunlimited, Nedeautookamajorsteptoward achievingit.Thisfall,she’sheaded totheearlychildhoodeducation programatSouthernNewHampshireUniversity.
“Ididn’tthinkI’dgethere.Ididn’t thinkthatIwouldgraduatehigh school,”shesaid.“Sograduating withmyclass,notayearbehind,it feelsgreat.”
Thegraduatingseniorsofthe CrimsonTidecelebratedwithflair
CATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN / Monitor staff photos
Elza Jacobs-Zambian takes a moment to celebrate after crossing the graduation stage Saturday.
Saturday,takingselfiesorsticking theirtonguesoutastheycrossedthe stagewhilealsoremindingeachother tousewhatthey’dlearnedtopayit forward.
“Thequestionishowwillyoutake whatyouknowandmakesomething ofit?”salutatorianPhoebeDaterRobertssaidtotheseaofcrimsonbeforeher.“Afterlearningfromothers forsolong,howwillyouteach someoneelse?”
ClaireBrownfollowedwithalesson forherpeers.
Aftertwoyearsatprivateboarding schoolleftherlost,lonelyandprofoundlyunhappy,shecamehometo ConcordHigh.
“Youcanchaseeveryexpectation, checkeveryboxandfollowthepath thatlooksperfectontheoutside,” Brownsaid.“Butifitdoesn’tfeel right,ifitdoesn’tbringyoupeace, thenit’sOKtochangethecourse.”
Takinghermentalhealthseriously, shehadlearned,wouldalwaysbe worthit.
WhenprincipalTimHerberttold thegraduatesthattheywereentering theworldnotwithalltheanswersbut knowinghowtoaskforhelp,howto supportothersandhowtopushpast setbacks,hejustaseasilycouldhave beenreferringtoNedeauastoBrown ortovaledictorianMadelineMuller.
Mullerimploredherclassmatesto staypresentandintouchwiththeir joy.Itwassomethingshealsohad learnedthehardway.
“Iwasn’tpushingmyselfbecauseI wantedtobecomeabetterstudent butbecauseofthelabelIcouldreceive,”Mullersaid.And,intheend, it’sjustatitle.”
Aftercrossingthestage,shaking handswithschoolleadersandreceivingtheleathercasewiththeir nameonit,eachgraduateturnedthe cornerandheadedfortheirseats. Mostcouldn’twaituntiltheygotthere toopenthecase wastheirdiploma actuallyinthere,intheirhands?Was thisreallyit?Wastheirnamespelled right?
Whilemanyintheclasswere wistful,evensad,SamyMarcelin wasn’toneofthem.
Withcapstossed,thegraduates leapttotheirfeetastheirfamilies roaredwithpridefromthebleachers atMemorialField.
SerevaCelaandMarcelin,who bondedasmembersoftheschool’sBe theChangeclub,flungintoeach othersarms.
“I’mjustsohappytobedone,” Marcelinsaid.
GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff photos
Concord High School graduate Evianna Raimo talks with fellow Master of Ceremony graduate Samuel Pfitzenmayer as they get ready to start the program at Memorial Field on June 14.
Left: Nadia Hanna dabs away tears asshe and the othergraduates prepare to take their seats.
As Tabitha crossed the stage, the Nedeau family erupted in cheers.
COE-BROWN NORTHWOOD ACADEMY
‘YOU HAVE TIME’
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN Monitor staff
Hemayhavebeenayearbehind herinschool,butKayleighHollis looksuptoheryoungerbrother, Kaiden.
“Whenhesetshismindonsomething,heaccomplishesit,”shesaid. “Heknowsexactlywhathewantsto do.”
Afterpursuingcareerandtechnicaleducationclasses throughouthighschool andgainingjobexperienceatthe AtlanticBridge,aconstructionand engineeringcompany,KaidengraduatedfromCoe-BrownNorthwood AcademyonWednesdayevening. He’sreadytostarthiscareer,with hissightssetonbecominganelectricianandawelder.Kayleigh,a yearsincetossinghercap,isstill figuringoutwhatshewantsforher future.
AsKaidenandtheother2025 graduatesofCoe-Brownassembled intheirscarletrobes,preparingto accepttheirdiplomas,Kayleighsaid shehopedherbrotherwouldnever losethatdrive,thathe’dalways keephismindworking.
ForyoungersisterGabiGroetzinger,too,Kaiden’spassionand focusareamodel.
“Itakeinspirationfromthat,”she said.“Idon’tknowwhatIwantto doyet.”
Injustayear,Groetzinger,acurrentjunior,willbeinhisplace.
Fromafewcampchairsdown thelineoffamilywhocameto cheerKaidenon,hisauntVicki Kolendaleanedover.“Youhave time,”shesaid.“Youhavetime.”
Bymostaccounts,thisyear’s graduatesfromCoe-Brownhave theirsightssetontheirfutures. They’regoingtostudybusinessadministration,videogameartand design,wildlifebiologyandnursing. They’regoingtoworkatthe PortsmouthNavalShipyardorjoin theAirForce.They’regoingtoobtainadoggroominglicenseand worktowardbecomingaveterinary technician.They’regoingtobegin employmentatthe110Grillelater thisweek,expectingbigtips.
Butclassleadersencouragedthe grouptosavortheirpastandprepareforchallengesahead.
It’ssafetosaystudyingissomethingSethBrown,theclassvaledictorian,isprettygoodat–hepreparedforhisspeechbydoingjust that,watchingallthegreatgraduationspeechesheheardofonline.Theirthroughlinewasafocus onthebeginningofanewchapter, ongettinga“freshstart”after school.Hesawthingsdifferently.
“There’snosuchthingasafresh start,”Brownsaid.
Heandhisclassmateswillcarry withthemthefriendsthey'd made,theteacherswhopushed themandthememoryofthemac andcheesetheyburnedinthecafeteriamicrowave.Andthey’llbe betterforit.
“Thesemomentswillguideus longafterwe’veforgottenthem,” Brownsaid.“Wemaynotbe startingover,butwe’removingforwardwithmoreknowledge,empathyandexperiencethanwehad fouryearsago.”
SalutatorianLiliCookreminded herclassmatesofjusthowfar
they’vecomesinceninthgrade. Withallthestrengththey’llbring outofhighschool,sheencouraged herpeerstoembracethemistakes thatinevitablylayahead.
“Nameonepersonwhoachieved somethingamazingandgotitonthe firsttry?”Cooksaid.“Youcan’t. Goodthingstaketimeand work...yourhopeswillbeworth everybittheamountofeffortyou putintothem.”
Asthegraduatesfiledontothe fieldandlinedupinfrontoftheir whitefoldingchairs,theydidsomethingteacherMattLobdellsaidhe’d neverseenbefore.Theyturned around,watchingtherestoftheir classmatescometojointhem,asif theywereamongtheproudparents withtheirphoneshelduptocapturethemoment.
Tohim,thiswasatestamentto theiruncommonsenseofcommunity.Thisclass,hesaid,wasuncommonlygivingandgenerouswith oneanother.
HesawitinKaidenHollis,espe-
cially.
Lobdell,awoodworkingandconstructionteacher,watchedHollis completehisworkearlysohecould helpothers.WhenanotherstudenthadtomissclassesforAdvancedPlacementtesting, Hollisworkedonherprojectforher soshedidn’tfallbehind.
NotonlybecauseofHollis’hard workbutbecauseofthiswillingness toputinworkforothers,Lobdell said,“He’sgoingtogofarinlife.”
OneofLobdell’sclassroomassignmentsentailsturningaballpointpenoutofwoodonalathe. Holliswasthefirststudenttotry toaccomplishthatprocessin epoxy.Ittookalotlongertocarve downthananticipated,andhe didn’tgettofinishitbeforegraduation.Lobdellcouldn’tletthat happen.Soheputthefinishing touchesonHollis’pen.Afterthe diplomaswerehandedoutandthe capsweretossed,hefoundhimin thecrowdandpresseditintohis hand.
CATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN/ Monitor staff
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy graduate Colby Heald, center, flashes a grin as the ceremony begins.
HOPKINTON HIGH SCHOOL
Feeling a sense of support
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN Monitor staff
AtthetailendofHopkinton’s graduatingclassfilingintothe DurginPullingArena,ConstantineSalcerolledinwithabrightsmile, hiselectricwheelchaircarryinghim intoawell-earnedmomentofcelebration.
DiagnosedwithSpinalMuscularAtrophy(SMA),aprogressivegenetic conditionthatweakensmusclesand limitsmobility,Salcehaslivedwiththe diseasesincehewasjusteightmonths old.
Salcesaidthewayheapproached highschoolwasn’tmuchdifferentfrom hispeers.
“Forthemostpart,I’mprettyincludedinschool,”saidSalce.“I’mbasicallylikeanyotherteenageboythat playsvideogamesandwatchesStar Wars.”
Thatsenseofbelongingwasunmistakableasthecrowdinthearena eruptedincheersandapplausewhen Salcecrossedthestageinhis wheelchair,wearingdarkgreenrobes, toreceivehisdiplomaonFriday evening.
SalcewillattendNewEnglandCollegeinthefalltostudycomicart.
Thesenseofsupportfrombothstaff andclassmateswassomethingthat otherstudents,likeMichaelPantoma, thevaledictorian,alsoexperienced.
PantomamovedfromPennsylvania inthesixthgradeandwasplacedina regularmathclasswhileallhisfriends wereinadvancedmath.
I want to be part of the class. ... People with disabilities just want to feel included.” CONSTANTINE SALCE, Hopkinton
Jake Barrett
Hopkinton High School
Jake, you pushed through and accomplished your goals. Wasn’t always easy but you stayed true to your self. Continue that on your next chapter as you pursue a career in welding technology. Always stride to do your best. Be kind to others and always try and lend help when needed. Look forward to seeing you navigate through your next chapter.
Love Mom & dad xoxo
Andess Kosowicz
Hopkinton Middle High School
Andess, congratulations on your high school graduation! It’s been an honor to watch you learn and grow, and we are very proud of the young woman that you are today. We are so proud of all your accomplishments, in and outside of school. We watched you work so hard to achieve your goals to graduate early and already get started on furthering your education this year. WyoTech is lucky to have you. You’ve made us proud every step of the way!
Love, Mom, Dad & Sawyer
“The Hassle Was Worth the Tassel”
GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff
Hopkinton High classmate and friend Teddy Ehrmanntraut holds an umbrella for Constantine Salce as they make their way through the pouring rain to the “barn” at the Hopkinton High School graduation June 6.
Whenhetoldhisclassmates hewouldtrytojointheadvancedclass,hewasmetwith encouragementinsteadof teasing.
Althoughitwasasmallgesture,itmadeahugedifference tohim,saidPantoma.
“Itwasjustenoughtomake mebelieveIcoulddoitand withthatsupport,Imadeit,” Pantomasaid.“IstartedtobelieveIcouldexcelacademically.”
Whilemanystudentscould fullyengageinacademicsand extracurricularactivities,Salce facedlimitationsduetohis medicalcondition.Hecould notparticipateinsports,a majorpartoftheschooldistrict’sculture.
Buthefoundothermeaningfulwaystocontribute.
“Withthisdisability,though, I’vebeenabletoimproveother partsofme,”saidSalce.“Mentallyandemotionally,Ilike helpingpeoplearoundlike bringingpeopleup.”
Togettotherusticbarn wheretheceremonywasheld, afriendshelteredSalcefrom thepouringrainwithanumbrella,carefullyguidinghim alongthepackedgravelpath.
Throughouthighschool, Salcesaidhehadbeenanadvocateforaccessiblespacesand facilities amissionheplans tocontinueasheheadstocollege.
It’sespeciallyimportantto Salcebecausehesaidhe missedoutonmanyschool tripswhenaccommodations weren’tarrangedinadvance, preventinghimfromparticipating.
“Iwanttobepartofthe class,”saidSalce.“Peoplewith disabilitiesjustwanttofeelincluded.”
GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff
Hopkinton graduate Flo Dapice talks with her friend EvieHopper during the class picture before the graduation ceremony on June 6.
HOPKINTON
JOHN
Among 126 grads, one starting own company
By DAVID BROOKS Monitor staff
Whenthelistofplaces whereJohnStarkHigh Schoolseniorsareheaded wasreadoutatSaturday’sgraduation,oneuncommonitemcameup attheend:“startingtheirown company.”
ThatwouldbeBraydon Laflamme,whohasturneda youthfulinterestspurredbyJohn Stark’sunusualweldingcourses intoB.LaFlammeWelding&Fabrication,anindependentfirmthat alreadyhascustomers.
Laflamme,17,saidhewasfirst intriguedbytheideaofweldingin middleschool.
“Iwaspressuringmyparents:I thinkIshouldhaveawelder,”he said.“Imessedaroundatmyhouse forawhile,starteddoingsome stuffonmyown.”
ThenhecametoJohnStark, wheretechnologyeducation teacherJoabOwensofferstwo levelsofweldingclasses.Helped
byOwens,heenteredthe statewideweldingcontestsponsoredbytheAmericanInstituteof SteelConstruction,comingin thirdasajuniorandfirstplacethis year.Thathelpedhisdecisiontogo intobusinessonhisown.
Theappealofwelding,hesaid,is bothpracticalandemotional.
“WhenI’minmyhoodandit’s myselfandtheweldpool,itbrings mepeace,”Laflammesaid,referringtotheprotectiveheadgearthat weldersuseandtheworkingportionofaweldwheremetalreaches meltingpoint.“Andnotmany peoplearegoingintoit,soIsaw theopportunitytodosomethingI loveandmakealotofmoney.”
Laflammewasamong126seniorswhogottheirdiplomason thefootballfieldatJohnStarkin Weareonacool,wetSaturday.
Amongtheceremonyspeeches wasonegivenbySadieMcCallum, chosenbystafftorepresenttheseniorclass.Sheurgedherfellowgraduatestoconcentrateondoingthe smalldeedsthatcanchangethe world.
“Revolutionsaren’tbuiltfrom hugebattlesorproclamations. They’rebuiltfromconsistent,unwaveringactsofpersonalprinciples,wherepeoplethinkingfor themselvesrefusetogiveup.We won’tchangetheworldjustdoing onething,”shesaid.
Beingconsistent,McCallumsaid, means“thateverydayyoucan leaveyourlittlecornerofthe worldjustabitbetterthanitwas whenyouwokeup,thesameas youhavehereatStark.Bytheend ofyourlife,you’llfindyoursmall changeshavespreadoutfarbeyondyourborderandyoudid,in fact,changetheworld.”
McCallumnotedthatherlifeexperiencewasn’tentirely“relatable”toeverybody.Shehascerebralpalsyanduseseitherawalker oraself-balancingmobility wheelchairinventedbyManchester-basedcompanyDEKA, foundedbyinventorDeanKamen. McCallumwillattendVillanova UniversityinPennsylvania,where
she’llmajorinelectricalengineeringandcreativewriting.
Alsospeakingwasvaledictorian ElizabethAckerly,whosaidshe “crowd-sourced”hertalkbyasking fortopicsuggestionsfromother students.Asidefromtherangeof suggestions,fromtheheartfeltto thehumorous,shesaidtheeffort reflectedsomethingmoreimportant.
“Competitionisnothowwe achievegreatness;collaborationis. Allofourvoicesareequally valuableandarestrongertogether thantheyarealone,”shesaid.“Life isnotasolitarytask;farfromit. Westandnotontheshouldersof giantsbutongenerationsofpeople justlikeus.”
Saturday’sceremonymarkeda changefortheschoolaswellasthe students.Ninestaffmembersare retiring,saidprincipalGary Dempsey,withacombined217 yearsofexperience.Thatincludes fourteachersandadministrators whohavebeenonthejobforat least30years.
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
Grads prep for the unknown
By KIERA McLAUGHLIN Monitor staff
Manyhigh schoolseniors areanxious aboutgraduatingand steppinginto unchartedterritory,butJuliaSwett hasalwayswelcomednewpossibilities.
Duringherfreshmanandsophomoreyears,sheenjoyedbeingpart ofthedramaclub.Asasenior,she joinedthefieldhockeyteam.
“IwishIwouldhavejoinedbefore,buttheywereverywelcomingbecauseI’dneverplayed before,”shesaid.
Throughouthighschool,sheparticipatedinstudentcouncil,the NationalHonorSocietyandGirl Scouts,allwhilevolunteeringat herlocalchurch.
OnFridayevening,family, friendsandfacultygatheredat FranklinHighSchooltocelebrate theClassof2025.Dozensofgraduatessatinrowsonthefieldwhile wearingbluecapsandgownsand largesmilesontheirfaces.
Duringtheceremony,valedictorianSavaughnaSlocumgavea speechthankingthebroadercommunityandindividualswho pushedhertosucceed.
“Highschoolhasbeenaroller coaster,filledwithtriumphsand setbacks,butthroughitall,there havebeenpeoplewhomadethe journeyworthwhile,”shesaid.
Shealsohadamessageforthe underclassmenthatthegraduates areleavingbehind.
“Mybiggestpieceofadvice–be present.Makethememories,take therisksandinvestinthefriendshipsthatmakethelongdays worthit.Andmostimportantly, don’tletanyonedefineyourlimits –youarecapableofmorethanyou know,”shesaid.
Graduatesreceivedawardsfor theirscholarships,commitmentto athleticsandgrowthbothacademicandpersonal.
SwettreceivedtheLoyalty Award,votedonbystudentsand staff,fordedicatingherselftothe classandtotheschoolandforalwaysbeingthereto“doajobwell done.”
Readytoexploretheunknown, Swettiseagertostepintosummer
–andtherestofherlife.Inthe comingmonths,shelooksforward travelingtoItalywithoneofher friendstovisitanexchangestudentshemettheyearbefore duringschool.Notspeakingalick ofItalian,shesaidsheisreadyfor theexposuretoanewlanguageand culture.
WhenshereturnstotheUnited States,shewillstudyhospitality managementatLasellUniversity.
“I’mreallylookingateventplanningrightnow.I’llbeexploring foodandbeverage,meetingwith people,tourism,”shesaid.
Basedonherownpositiveexperiencesandtherelationshipsshe builtatFranklinHigh,Swett cannotwaitfortheopportunities thatcollegehastooffer.Always lookingforsomethingnewtotry, shefindsherselfmostexcited abouttheideaofmeetingnew people.
“Iamgoingkindoffaraway,but nottoofaraway,soI’llgetanew environment,anewcommunity,” shesaid.
JuliaSwettafter receivingherhighschooldiplomaand TheLoyaltyAward, chosen by students and faculty based on scholarship and dependability.
KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Monitor staff photos
Graduates throw their caps in the air to celebrate their official status as Franklin High alumni.
KEARSARGE HIGH SCHOOL
Tribute marks celebration
By JEREMY MARGOLIS Monitor staff
WhenNgan“Su”TranarrivedinNewHampshire fromVietnamlast November,shehadninedaysbefore herfirstchoralconcerttolearnsix pieces.
Thesenior,whohailsfromHo ChiMinhCity,hadneversungina chorusbefore neitherinEnglish norVietnamese.
BySaturday,sevenmonthsafter walkingintoKearsargeRegional HighSchoolforthefirsttime,Tran deliveredthesolointhechoir’s graduationperformanceofElton John’s“GoodbyeYellowBrick Road.”
“Ineededtojoinanothercommunityinhighschool,andit’ssorare tofindeverybodyhere,”Transaid aftergraduating.“Andit’sareally goodopportunityformetomeet otherpeople.Ilovethem.”
WhileTran’sjourneythroughthe Kearsargeschoolsstartedhalfway aroundtheworldlastfall,formany ofher111classmates,Saturday’s ceremonymarkedtheculmination ofadifferentsortofjourney–one thatstartedsome13yearsagoina kindergartenclassroomjustmiles away.
StudentspeakerJacobMacNutt recalledoneoftheinflectionpoints ofthoseyears:thearrivalofthe pandemicpartwaythroughseventh grade.
“It’scrazytothinkthatweare abouttograduateandsomuchcan changeinfouryears,especially withalltheproceduresandregulationsthathadexistedspecificallyin theearlyhighschoolyears,”MacNuttsaid.
PrincipalCharlesLangilleJr.focusedonsomemorejoyfulmoments:thestatechampionships won,thesunrisebreakfastsconsumedandthemanyquestionsthe Classof2025asked.
“Continuetoquestion,”heencouraged.“Keepquestioningthings sothattheyimprove.That’show youmaketheworldbetter.”
ClasspresidentToriWootenfocusedherremarksoncourage,particularlythequietcourage“that
Continue to question ... Keep questioning things so that they improve. That’s how you make the world better.”
CHARLES LANGILLE JR.,Kearsarge principal
doesn’talwaysroar.”
“Sometimesit whispers,”Wooten said.“Itshowsupin thequiet,choosing tospeakwhenit’s easiertostayquiet.”
Studentcouncil presidentSoeren Baughmandescribedthelittlemoments,likewhen someone“walked backonthebuswithanentire MarketBasketsheetcakeandmanagedtoeatthewholeentirething.”
Themomentsof Saturday’sgraduationranthegamut fromthelightheartedtothe deeplymoving.Ina ceremonypermeatedwithcenturyoldtradition, Langilleunveileda newone–justa yearold–toward theend,handing eachgraduateayellowrose.
Thewoman,JessicaBray,was Brand’smother’sbestfriend–and startingadaybeforeBrand’ssophomoreyear,alsohislegalguardian. BothofBrand’sparents–Melissa ShieldsandJeremyBrand–have passedaway.
“Thesearethemomentsthat mattermost,thelittlethingsthat shapedourdaysandstrengthenedourfriendships,”Baughman said.
“Takethisroseanddeliveritto thatpersonintheaudiencewhohas meantalottoyouingettingyou heretoday,”Langilledirected.
EthanBrandfoundawoman standingunderanumbrellatoward thesideofthecrowd.
“We’veknownEthansincehe wasborn,andsothat’swhywe’re heretoday,”Braysaid,fighting backtears.“Ethan’sasolidhuman –he’sthoughtful,strong-willed, andatthispointintime,Ibelieve hecandoanythinghesetshis mindto.”
Theyellowflowerhappenedto haveanothermeaningforthe family,too.
“Hismotherlovedsunflowers,” Braysaid,pointingtoapin.“That’s whywe’reallwearingthemtoday.”
GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff
Kearsarge High graduates make their way up to the stage on the football field at the school on June 14.
‘We are equally deserving of this’
By KIERA McLAUGHLIN Monitor staff
ForRosieCummings,hertimeat PembrokeAcademywasdefined bythesemestersshespent workingwiththeunifiedsports program.
StartingatPembrokeasa freshman,Cummingsdescribed herselfasshy,befriendingteachers overotherstudents.Butduringher senioryear,whenshejoinedthe unifiedprogramthatpromotessocialinclusionthroughsports,she cameoutofhershell.
“Overthefouryears,Ilearned thateveryone’ssointheirown head,thatyoujustneedtobeauthenticandbekindandbeconfidentandyou’refine,”shesaid.
Thissentimentwasechoedby thegraduatesandteachers speakingattheceremonyon
ThursdayeveningattheFisher CatsstadiuminManchester.
Comingin,theClassof2025 seemedtobequiteahandful,but overtime,theygrewasagroupand asindividuals,leavingapositive impressionontheschoolstaff.
ClasspresidentOwenStewart addressedthistransformationin hisspeechandappliedittotheir futureendeavors.
“Youcanhaveallthetalent,all thepotentialintheworld,butit doesn’tmatterifyounevermake thatmove,”hesaid.“Wearealways waitingforwhatseemstobethe righttime.Ifthepastfouryears havetaughtusanything,itisthat weshouldn’tspendourtime waitingforlifetochange,forthe nextbigthingtocome.”
Throughouttheceremony,a strongsenseofcommunityfilled thebaseballfieldandthestands
wherefamilyandfriendssat.
ValedictorianLilyReevesspoke ofhowfarthegraduateshadcome, anddespiteallthechallenges,they foundfamily.
“Thisuniformity:theidentical caps,gownsanddiplomas,isnot aboutsameness.It’saboutunity.It’s areminderthatnomatterhowdifferentourjourneyswere,weare equallydeservingofthis,”shesaid.
Whiletheirhighschoolexperiencesvary,sodothegraduates’ plansaftertheywalkedoffthe field.Theyplannedtoenrollin tradeschool,gointomilitaryservice,attendcollegeandenterthe workforce.Otherssaidtheywere stillexploringtheirpossibilities.
Cummingsplanstotakeagapyear andreturntotheschooltovolunteer withtheunifiedprogram.
“Thisactuallygivesmesomethingtodoinmygapyear,andIget
tocontinuespendingtimewiththe peoplethatIlovehere,”shesaid.
Cummingswantstopursue fashionandbusinesswiththehope ofjoiningthefashionmarketingindustry.
“I’vealwayslovedexpressingmyself,”shesaid,pointingtosomeof hertattoos.“Ijustlovecustomizing myselftoexactlyhowIwanttobe perceived.I’vealwaysbeenreally intothrifting.Igrewupwithmy Nanateachingmehowtosew.”
Despiteherlovefortheunified programandthefriendlystaff, Cummingsisreadytograduate, justliketherestofherclass.
“It’saweirdfeeling.I’mexcited andnervousforthesameexact reasons,”shesaid.“I’mexcitedbecauseIgettodomyownthingand findmyownpath,butalsonervous becauseIhavetodomyownthing andfindmyownpath.”
KIERA MCLAUGHLIN / Monitor staff
Salutatorian Cameron Carter addresses his fellow graduates in the Fisher Cat’s stadium on June 12.
MERRIMACK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Shining their light
By YAA BAME Monitor staff
JacquelinePearlisinlovewith herfutureandcan’twaitto meether.
TheseniorgraduatedonSaturdayfromMerrimackValleyHigh School,whereshedecoratedher capwiththoselyricsinrainbow holographicletters,surroundedby orangeandyellowbutterfliesand whiteandblueflowerpetals.
“I’vealwaysbeenobsessedwith BillieEilish,soIusedthequote from‘MyFuture’,”saidPearl,referringtoapartofthechorusof the2020song.“Ijustthought,our schoolisblue,gold,white,and
therearereallysimilarcolorsin thealbum.AndsoIwaslike,‘You knowwhat?We’regoingtomake thiswork.’”
Pearlplanstopursueacareerin barberingandestheticsandhopes toopenherownmen’ssalonone day.HertwinsisterChloealsodecoratedhercap–butasacake–sinceshewillattendJohnsonand WalesUniversitytobecomea pastrymaker.
About180studentsdressedin navybluecapsandgownssatin whiteplasticchairsinthecenterof thefootballfield.Familymembers andfriendsoccupiedthebleachers, thetentsandthegrasstocelebrate
theirgraduatingseniors.
“Fromstarttofinish,thespiritof dedicationhelpedusbuildayear thattheClassof2026willcertainly haveahardtimebeating,”senior classpresidentAddysonKimball saidinherspeech.“Congratulations,andthankyouallformaking thisyearspecial.”
Kimballgaveherclassmatesa summaryoftheexperiencesthey hadgonethroughtogether–from freshmanyear,whenstudentshad towearmasks,toseniorsunriseat HamptonBeachandaclass-wide sleepoverintheteacherparkinglot.
U.S.Sen.MaggieHassangavethe commencementaddress,where
shefocusedontheimportanceof caring,notjustforone’sownlife butalsoforthecommunity, countryanddemocracyasa whole.
“Allprogressinourcountryhas beenmadebypeoplewhocared, evenwhenitwastough,even whencaringseemedcringy–becausetheybelievedinabetterfutureandwerewillingtoworkhard tomakeithappen,”saidHassan. “Thesamewayyouallbelieved youcouldreachthisfieldandwork hardforfouryearsatMerrimack ValleyHigh.”
GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff
Merrimack Valley graduates throw their caps at the conclusion of the ceremony on June 7.
Inherspeech,HassanquotedpoetRobert Frosttourgestudentstounderstandthat“hope isnotfoundinawayout,butinaway through.”
AbigailCiarametaro,whogaveastudentaddressonlookingahead,alsoquotedFrost.
“WhenIreadoneofhispoems,‘TheRoad NotTaken,’Iwascaptivatedbythefollowing verse:‘Tworoadsdivergedinawood,andI,I tooktheonelesstraveledby,andthathas madeallthedifference,’”saidCiarametaro, whosefavoredFrostsinceseventhgrade.“At theendoftheday,myhopeforyoualltodayis totakeyourpastyearsatMerrimackValley HighSchoolandusewhatyoulearnedabout yourselftowalkdownyourownpaththatis pavedbyyourownuniqueexperiences.”
Ciarametaroencouragedherclassmatesto beproudofthemselves,whilealsonotletting comparisonsgetthebestofthem.
“It’simportanttohoneinonyourtrueself andappreciateallthehardworkanddedicationthatbroughtyoutonotonlyheretoday, butwillgiveyoutheeverlastingpushintothe timeahead,”saidCiarametaro.“Inthefinal analysisoflife,there’salwaysgoingtobe someonesmarter,faster,orstronger,butnever letthatstopusfromshiningourlightasbright asthesun.”
MERRIMACK VALLEYFROM PAGE 20
GEOFF FORESTER/ Monitor staff photos
Merrimack Valley graduate Lenna Quiter reads off the accomplishments of the student body at the Saturday graduation on the athletic field.
Merrimack Valleygraduate LexiAnn Goley waves to her familyafter receiving her diploma at the ceremony on June 7.
Class president Addyson Kimball raises her arms after receiving her diploma at the ceremony.
PITTSFIELD MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL
Flowers, farewells mark ceremony
By YAA BAME Monitor staff
Fromhiswrist,PittsfieldsalutatorianEvanMunozdangleda burgundycoilkeychainand anattacheddogtrainingclicker withabrightyellowbutton.
Itwasagiftfrompsychology teacherAmyGuimondthathereceivedwhenhegotthehighestpossiblescoreinherclass.
Guimondusedtheclickerinthe coursetoexemplifyconditioning–apsychologicalconceptwhereone canbetrainedtoexhibitabehavior uponreceivingaspecificstimulus. Sheconditionedherstudentstorespondtothesoundofthedog clickerbyraisingtheirhandtogive herahighfive.
“Ijustpassedthatalongasmyrewardforhimforbeingthemostexcellentstudentintheclass,”said Guimond.“Andallofhisawards fromlastnighthe’swearing,andI noticedwhenhewasgivinghis salutatoryspeech,underhissleeve, hewasactuallywearingthedog clicker,anditwasaverymeaningfulthingformetoseethat.”
Munozreceivedthreemedalsat theseniorawardsFridaynightand worethemtograduation.Sincethe clickerwasalsoanawardofsorts, Munozdecidedtocarryit.
“Itfeelsfinal,Iguess,probably becausethisdiplomaissoelegant. It’ssowell-crafted,”saidMunoz, whowillattendtheUniversityof NewHampshireandstudymathematicsandcomputerscience.“It’s myrewardforworkinghardfrom timetotimeacrossthepasthowevermanyyears,anditdoesfeelrewarding.”
EvanMunoz, thesalutatorianofPittsfield MiddleHighSchool’sClass of2025,addressesthe
classmates during their graduation ceremony on June 14.
The32graduatesoftheClassof 2025satneatlyinthreerowsonthe stageintheschool’sgymnasiumon Saturdaymorningwhiledonning navybluecapsandgowns.
Duringtheceremony,theschool preparedaspecialpresentation whereeachgraduatingstudentreceivedfivewhiteorredrosestodistributetothosewhoplayedanimpactfulroleintheirlives.
Munozwasunabletogiveawayall fiveflowersduringthepresentation so,aftertheceremony,hedashedto theplatformwheresomestillremained,grabbedaredflowerand offeredittoGuimond.
“Ilovethiskid.He’sthesweetest kidintheworld,”saidGuimond. “Andhe’sgoingtodogreatthings.”
EliseBerry,thevaledictorian,addressedtheirjourneytograduation andwhatliesahead.
“Toseeyougrowfromthelittle kidsIsometimesseewhenIlook
backatoldclassphotos,tothe youngmenandwomenthatyouare rightnow,feelslikesomethingthat Idon’tevenknowhowtoputinto words,”saidBerry,aPittsfieldnative.“You’veallhadanimpacton me,nomatterhowlargeorsmall. Seeingyouallinyourcapsand gownsforcesmetoseethereality thatwearenolongerthoseyoung kids.It’stimeforustoleave,andit’s timeforustogrow.”
Duringherspeech,Berrysaid thatacoupleofmonthsago,shewas terrifiedaboutleavingPittsfield. Despiteherfearsofexperiencing somethingnew,shedecidedto overcomethembyattendingthe UniversityofAlaskaFairbanksin thefall.
“Don’tshyawayfromsomething justbecauseyou’veneverdoneit before,”shesaid.“Sotrynew things,andI’mexcitedtoseewhat thefutureholdsforallofus.”
YAA BAME / Monitor staff photos
audienceandhis
Munoz and his dual enrollment psychology teacher, Amy Guimond, at the graduation on June 14.
From the staff at Pittsfield Police Department
