Franklin Tech’s 50th class honors past, embraces future in heartfelt ceremony

MONTAGUE — Franklin County Technical School’s 50th graduating class honored their past with eyes to the future during their commencement ceremony on Thursday.

The class of 147 graduates gathered on the football field during a breezy, partly sunny evening to hear from their administrators and class salutatorian and valedictorian, who all spoke to the dedication, work ethic and culture of this class.

Forgiveness, care, teamwork, service

Speakers made a point to honor one classmate who was supposed to celebrate alongside them: Christian Walker, who was fatally shot in June 2025 in Keene, New Hampshire, and studied automotive technology at Franklin Tech.

Walker was honored at the ceremony by people wearing orange ribbons and observing a moment of silence, and a rosebush was placed in a chair alongside the other graduates to remember him. Accepting an honorary diploma for Walker were his sisters, Dakota Walker and Willow Cofske. When the sisters walked the stage to collect the diploma on behalf of their brother, a thunderous applause erupted from the hundreds of people in attendance.

During his final speech as superintendent, Richard Martin reflected on the deeper meaning of the school’s initials, FCTS, when it comes to his reflection on the Class of 2026 and his tenure: forgiveness, care and compassion, teamwork and trust, and service and sacrifice.

“In that moment of heartbreak, you came together to process your emotions and to share your grief,” Martin said about the care and compassion this class shared after Walker’s death. “My heart broke for you as I experienced those emotions with you.”

After reading a prayer as the Walker family stood around the rosebush and attendees stretched their hands to the family, Martin also spoke to forgiveness, stating how someone can’t move forward into their future without it — a lesson he’s practiced personally after his son was nearly killed in a violent assault in Millers Falls in December 2023.

Martin addressed the experience he and his family went through following the assault, including the days spent in court with the assailants, who were sentenced on May 20. Unwaveringly, Martin explained how his son “refused to be trapped by unforgiveness” and gave this feeling to God, which Martin said he did as well, forgiving the assailants.

“Forgiveness does not mean that the pain never happened. It does not keep score,” Martin said, adding, “when we forgive, we free ourselves.”

Martin then spoke to the other meanings of FCTS, connecting how the technical training these students are coming away with will support their futures in the job market, and how their time at Franklin Tech will support how the graduates will work together and serve others. He left his final graduating class with the message to “forgive so you can move forward, care deeply about others, build trust through teamwork and use your skills in service to the world around you.”

Honoring the past and living for today

To close out the ceremony before the conferring of diplomas, Salutatorian Adam Felle of Orange and Valedictorian Maxon Brunette of Erving addressed their classmates.

Felle reflected on how fast time went by for the Class of 2026 since they came in as freshmen with a “fraction of an idea” of what they wanted to do in high school and in the future. He also reflected on the loss of Walker, speaking to the difficulty the students faced, but that “we continue to move forward and honor the past with each step.”

Brunette spoke candidly about his hesitation in writing a graduation speech, noting how he’d be perceived for his words, but he shared how he moved past that concern, that he’d regret not using the platform to speak, and that he’s living for himself, not others.

“You are the one who has to live with the decisions you make. Start fresh, take risks, try something brand new,” Brunette said. “Time moves way too fast for you to live for anyone else.”

Graduates

Ashlynn Andrews, Martia Arce, Natalya Aubrey, Christopher Bachelder, Shane Bailey, Erin Banister Potter, Ericka Bardwell, Miguel Bartolon, Matthew Bashaw, Shawn Beckwith, Liam Bliss, Tristian Bliss, Samuel Bodenstein, Teagan Boliski, Camden Bonnett, Connor Bowers, Madelynn Bowers, Lance Brodeur, Logan Brodeur, Dylan Brunault, Maxon Brunette, Ja’siah Bufford, Derrell Cannon, Logan Caron, Chrisopher Chabbot, Dani Chagnon, Ashlyn Chapin, Arianah Chatterton, Emmett Chrzanowski, CJ Cloutier, Allysia Corbin, Zak Cortright, Carsten Couture, Kameron Crowningshield, Jared Currier, AlexZander Dakin, Donte Demers, Zachary Desrosiers, Cody Dobosz, Hailey Doolittle, Ian Doyle, Jayden Dufresne, Samantha Duncan, Ray Dyer, Samantha Everglade, Adam Felle, Noah Ferris, Logan Fournier, Jack Gagne, Trey Gallo, Ava Garappolo, Jaylice Gary, Alison George, Dylan Gilbert, Summer Goewey, Eben Gordon, Elias Gradoia, Gavin Graton, Jaeden Graves, Camden Grenier, Beck Gritzner, Gauge Gutierrez, Alexander Hannum, Tyler Hatch, Brooke Hayes, Corey Herold, Molly Howe, Trevor Hudson, Brandon Janik, Tanner Jenks, Jack Jette, Lily Josephs, Cooper Kelley, Kasey Kellogg, Brenna Kempf, Kyra King, Ezrah Kurinsky, Zoey Kus, Lillian LaBelle, Skylei LePan, Jackson Leamy, Jacqueline LeBlanc, Owen LeBlanc, Owen Lenois, Emma Little, Kaitlyn Lively, Anya Livingston, Lilliana Lonergan, Madyson Lynde, Lydia MacMunn-Seaman, Sorin Marin, Greyson Mazarelli, Sophia Mccomb, Lyla Mickiewicz, Rylie Mitchell, Jackson Morey, Quinn Morrow, Boden Myre, Elijah Oberempt, Talia Pederzini-Curtis, Ricki Perez, Apollo Perkins, Alyssa Peters, Ariel Peters, Jenna Petrowicz, Hunter Pratt, Anson Prunier, William Renaud, Anna Rivers, Tristen Robidoux, Nolan Ruiz, Nathan Sabolevski, Emily Sadlowski, Gabriel Schutt, Mercedes Selivanoff, Shelby Senn, Makayla Sevene, Julia Shaw, Hazel Simmens, Becca-Anne Skelton, Mila Skiff, Alexis Smith, Braeden Snow, Maisy St. Hilaire, Dominick Stafford, Kailey Steiner, Lindsey Taylor, Samantha Taylor, William Thomas, Meadow Thompson, Ethan Thrower, Payton Tierney, Orion Timberlake, Brooke Tirrell, Benjamin Towne, Clara Troisi, Kaden Van Valkenburgh, Lillian Vandal, Ella Vassar, Benjamin Waring, Elsa Waring, Bradley Welcome, Brenton Wheelock, Faith Wilder Greene, Kristian Yagovane and Zachary Zaykoski.

Academic Awards

• Physical Education Teammate Award — William Thomas.
• Physical Education Award — Shawn Beckwith and Jacqueline LeBlanc.
• Perseverance in Physical Education — Brenton Wheelock.
• English & Language Arts Award of Merit — Summer Goewey.
• Most Improved in English — Shawn Beckwith.
• English Perseverance Award — Gavin Graton.
• English Achievement Award — Kaitlin Lively and Jaylice Gary.
• Atticus Finch Award — Adam Felle.
• Friends of Liberty — Erin Banister Potter and Lyla Mickiewicz.
• Excellence in History and Social Studies — Alexis Smith and Orion Timberlake
• Perseverance in History and Social Studies — Maxon Brunette and Molly Howe.
• Excellence in Math — Maxon Brunette.
• Perseverance in Math — Becca-Anne Skelton.
• Math Award of Merit — Dominick Stafford.
• Most Improved in Math — Ethan Thrower.
• Perseverance in Science — Anna Rivers.
• Excellence in Science — Kaden Van Valkenburgh.
• Excellence in Advanced Science Studies — Lily Josephs.

Advanced Manufacturing

• Work Ethic — Emmett Chrzanowski.
• Positive Attitude — Liam Bliss.
• Innovation Award — Brenton Wheelock.
• Perseverance Award — Ariel Peters and Benjamin Towne.

Animal Science

• Excellence in Veterinary and Animal Science Award — Dani Chagnon.
• Consistent Effort and Perfomance Award — Becca-Anne Skelton.
• Perseverance Award — Anna Rivers.

Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing

• Shop Safety Award — Alexander Hannum.
• Instructors Award, Most Proficient — Ezrah Kurinski.
• Instructors Award, Attention to Detail — Samantha Taylor.
• North Amherst Motors Award — Hailey Doolittle.
• Doug’s Autobody Award — Erin Banister Potter.
• Harbor Freight Paint Award — Madelyn Bowers, Lance Brodeur and Maisy St. Hilaire.

Automotive Technology

• Snap-On Tools Award for High Achieving Student — Dominick Stafford.
• Auto Zone Award for Most Improved —Kristian Yagovane.
• Sanel Napa Award for High Achievement — Corey Herold.

Carpentry

• Move Improved in Carpentry — Sorin Marin.
• Perseverance in Carpentry — Alyssa Peters.
• Significant Growth in Carpentry — Apollo Perkins and Bradley Welcome.
• Construction Safety and Growth in the Field of Carpentry — Gavin Graton and Dillon Laffond.
• Lou Kozloski Memorial Award Sponsored by Cowls Building Supply — Beck Gritzner.
• Carpentry Apprentice Cards — Eben Gordon, Gavin Graton, Beck Gritzner, Dillon Laffond, Sorin Marin, Alyssa Peters and Bradley Welcome.

Cosmetology

• Most Improved — Samantha Everglade.
• Most Artistic and Creative — CJ Cloutier.
• Customer Service and Professionalism Award — Lydia MacMunn-Seaman.
• Licensed Cosmetologist — Teagan Boliski, Ava Garappolo, Brooke Hayes and Kyra King, Lydia MacMunn-Seaman, Makayla Sevene, Hazel Simmens and Alexis Smith.
• Cosmetology Achievement Award — Ava Garappolo.

Culinary Arts

• Most Improved in Culinary Arts — Faith Wilder Greene.
• Culinary Arts Excellence Award — Braeden Snow.
• Culinary Arts Team Player Award — Anya Livingston.
• Culinary Arts Perseverance Award — Zak Cortright.

Electrical

• Proficiency Award in Electrical Trade — Samuel Bodenstein.
• Electrical Business Managers Attention to Detail — Kailey Steiner.
• Excellence in Electrical Trade — Elijah Oberempt.
• Most Outstanding Electrical Apprentice — Anson Prunier.
• Connor Powers Memorial Scholarship Award — Jared Currier.

Health Technology and Medical Assisting

• Health Technology Work Ethic and Perseverance — Lindsey Taylor.
• Health Care Achievement Award — Clara Troisi, Jaylice Gary.
• Consistent Effort and Performance in Health Technology — Ashlynn Andrews.
• Certified Nursing Assistant Pins — Erika Bardwell, Lily Josephs, Lindsey Taylor and Clara Troisi.
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician Pins — Skylie LaPan, Madyson Lynde and Ella Vassar.
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Pins — Ashlynn Andrews, Jaylice Gary, Skylie LaPan, Madyson Lynde and Ella Vassar.

Landscaping and Horticulture

• Most Improved in Landscaping and Horticulture, Sponsored by Snow and Sons Landscaping — Ethan Thrower.
• Proficiency in Arbor, Sponsored by Bartlett Tree — William Thomas.
• Proficiency in Floriculture and Greenhouse Management, Sponsored by Greenfield Farmers Cooperative — Alison George.
• Proficiency in Landscaping and Turf Management, Sponsored by Atlantic Golf and Turf — Tristen Robidoux.

Plumbing and Heating

• PHCC Plumbing All-Star Award, Sponsored by Plumbing by Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts — Shane Bailey.
• PHCC HVAC All-Star Award, Sponsored by Plumbing by Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts — Zachary Zaykoski.
• Franklin County Master Plumbers Award, Sponsored by Franklin County Master Plumbers Association and F.W. Webb — Cooper Kelley and Payton Tierney.

Programming and Web Development

• Excellence in Programming and Web Development — Adam Felle.
• Excellence in Animation — Summer Goewey, Kaitlyn Lively.
• Best Effort in Programming and Web — Tristian Bliss.
• Most Improved in Programming and Web — Matthew Bashaw.

Welding and Metal Fabrication

• Welding and Metal Fabrication Starrlett Award for Excellence — Shelby Senn.
• Most Improved in Welding — Brandon Janik.
• Welding and Metal Fabrication Airgas East Award — Lilliana Lonergan.
• Mayhew Steel/Deerfield Packaging Award — Noah Ferris.
• Welding Apprentice Cards — Greyson Mazarelli, Tanner Jenks, Shawn Beckwith and Ja’siah Bufford.

General Awards/Recognition

• Franklin County Technical School Intern Award — Erin Banister Potter
• Personal and Social Growth Award — Jacob Cooledge.
• School to Career Recognition Award — Anson Prunier.
• College & Career Readiness Excellence Award — Nathan Sabolevski and Alexis Smith.
• College & Career Readiness Perseverance Award — AlexZander Dakin, Tyler Hatch and Hazel Simmens.
• Outstanding Attendance Award — Maxon Brunette, Samantha Duncan and Kaden Van Valkenburgh.
• Student Achievement Award — Samantha Duncan.
• Massachusetts Career Technical Education Certificate of Merit — Becca-Anne Skelton.
• Character Counts Award — Alison George.
• Franklin County Technical School Accomplishment Award — Jared Currier.
• Superintendents Award — Maxon Brunette.
• MSAA Student Achievement Award — Jared Currier.
• Administrative Recognition Award — Samantha Duncan.
• Franklin County Technical School Award in Trade, Skill and Service — Danielle Chagnon.
• MAVA Outstanding Student of the Year — Carsten Couture.
• Excellence in Journalism/Yearbook — Emily Sadlowski.
• Yearbook Dedication — Christian Walker.
• SAGA Bayard Rustin Leadership Award — Samantha Everglade.
• SAGA Rainbow Eagle Spirit Award — Ethan Rivers and Elsa Waring.
• Art Club Most Valuable Senior Artist — Kaitlyn Lively.
• Art Club Booster Award — Brooke Hayes.
• FFA Award — Dani Chagnon, Alison George, Molly Howe, Becca-Anne Skelton and Meadow Thompson.
• SkillsUSA State Recognition — Emily Sadlowski.
• SkillsUSA Participation Award, Medical Terminology — Lily Josephs.
• SkillsUSA Participation Award, Web Design — Adam Felle.
• SkillsUSA Outstanding Vocational Student Award — Clara Troisi.
• SkillsUSA Senior Officer — Ella Vassar.
• National Honor Society Leadership Award — Madyson Lynde.