ATHOL – Students from the Class of 2019 – 74 in all – graduated this past Sunday. Questionable weather necessitated indoor ceremonies, but the grads were nestled comfortably in the middle of the Edgar J. “Bones” Mallet Gymnasium, surrounded by a full house of very proud staff and faculty, dignitaries, family, and friends.
Officers of the Class of 2020 led the processional of graduates-to-be into the auditorium. Senior Emma Paige Alger offered an outstanding rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, and received thunderous applause and cheers for her effort. Class president Julia Carey provided a brief welcome.
Principal Mary Jane Rickson provided a welcome, sharing how this 144th graduating class was very close, and was always willing and able to help each other out. Her voice breaking with emotion, Principal Rickson expressed her pride in this attribute, and how she, too, was made to feel welcome and an important part of this class.
Salutatorian Carter Cochran warmed the crowd with the opening of his speech, explaining he was “…also known as the person who was closest to valedictorian without actually being able to accomplish it.”
He took the speech from sassy to serious in a single sentence, “To all of the teachers who guided us these past years, to all of the families who supported us through the hardships, and to the friends that we could always turn to when there was no one else, thank you for everything you’ve done to get us through the last four years to where we are today.”
Cochran reminisced about his four years, and disclosed that he “wasn’t part of anything,” when he was a new AHS student. “I didn’t go out, I didn’t take part in events; I just stayed home by myself. Once I actually got convinced to join something, I rapidly noticed I was becoming happier. For me, it was the indoor track team. It was like having a second family.”
He concluded his remarks with that sage advice that each person needs to find a way to get involved, to join something, to do something, “Wherever it is that you feel comfortable, and have found people who care about you.”
Valedictorian Molly Divoll opened her talk with thanks, especially to her mother for pushing her, even though, “I often pushed back, but after all, I AM a teenager, so I’m allow a little bit of rebellion.”
She may be a rebel, but Ms. Divoll is a rebel with a cause. Her advice included to “…not let anybody else’s opinions affect what you think is right. If you go to college, find something you love, and go after it. And it does not matter what path you choose to go down…at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you are happy with what you have done.”
Ms. Divoll unpretentiously stated she did work hard, and that earning the status of Valedictorian is a noteworthy feat, but she wasn’t, “…entirely sure why I’m the person standing up here to give you all advice,” and said, “Each and every one of us has something to offer.”
Referring to some of her supporters in the audience, she spoke of people with “the strongest work ethic I have ever seen…” and to her classmate, “…of artists, musicians, fighters, athletes, gamers, and everything in between.” She passionately asserted, “…you are ALL capable of great things, and I urge you to get out there and try your hardest to accomplish them.”
Ms. Divoll concluded her remarks by comparing the similar advice given in two very different books – Profiles in Courage, which chronicled eight individuals then Senator John F. Kennedy considered hero-worthy, and a biography of singer Maynard James Keenan, entitled, A Perfect Union of Contrary Things. Their common message was to “…fight for what is right, even if you cannot find support, because often the right path is the hardest one to take, but will always be the best choice.”
Principal Rickson, with assistance from a number of members of the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee, representatives of various community organizations and agencies, and other administrators, recognized students who received awards, grants, and scholarships in the hundreds of thousands. More than $123,000 was presented just by the Athol High School Scholarship Association.
Superintendent Darcy Fernandes certified the graduates had met all local and state requirements to be considered for graduation, and turned the ceremony over to School Committee Chairman Lee Chauvette to present diplomas to each graduate, who walked across the stage after Principal Rickson announced their name.
In a symbolic move, the seniors left the gymnasium, looped and returned, for the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, and closing remarks by Principal Rickson. Caps were tossed, and the newest AHS alumni were rushed by enthusiastic family and friends for photo ops.
A number of graduates were adorned with cords. Red and white cords indicated the wearer was a graduate of the Honors’ Academy. National Honor Society Executive Board members wore blue cords. Members of the Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society for high school and two-year college students, sported gray cords. Participants in the Best Buddies program wore teal cords. Students with an * are members of the National Honor Society.
Graduates of the Class of 2019 are: Jasmine M. Adams; Emma Paige Alger; Killian Siobhan Anderson; Davy Alexandro Arias; Connor Joseph Arpide; Noah Timothy Aukstikalnis; Jeremy C. Ayles; Jenavieve Stefania Bailey; Mason Carter Barrieau; Chase N. Bersch; Wesley Patrick Bishop; Isaac A. Bowers; Cullen Alan Burbee; Melanie Elizabeth Cacciolfi; Melysa A. Campbell; Avah Elizabeth Cantrell; Julia Ruth Carey*; Dalisha Marie Castillo-Vargas; Dylan Jeffrey Castine; Jake Robert Chandler; Carter M. Cochran*; Isabella Georgette Coston; Matthew Joseph Davis; Rebecca Lynn Deleo*; Molly Josephine Divoll*; Brymere S. Edwards; Joseph R. England; Zachary Jefferson Fish; Christine Rose Folmsbee; Daniel Paul Grover; Michael L. Harris; Colby James Hume; William James Kitzmiller; Hannah Kelley Janice LaPointe; Jadon Josiah LeBlanc, Sean R.R. LeBlanc; Isabella Virginia L’Ecuyer; Dalton Robert Linnus; Sebastian M. Lucier; Shelby Marie Mailloux*; Raven Isabelle Malcolm; Autumn Paige McCollor; Kelsi Heather McHugh; Rachel K. Mehigan; Analyse Teresa Merlini*; Brandon C. Murphy; Tyler James Nadeau; Meloney Rose O’Connor; Travis Lee Odell; Anthony J. Oro*; Alexia Kathleen Park; Olivia G. Parnanen; Ethan Alexander Pasakinskas; Anthony Hawk Persson; Meghan Alyssa Pierce; Cassidy Helen Pond; Ryley Michelle Pond; Desmond I. Pottinger*; Dawson Joseph Radisic; Melvin JR Rivera; Parker Robert; Abigail Marie Roberts*; William Earl Roraback; Jared Edward Rouleau; Timothy James Soucie; Dennis Joseph St. Jean*; Maison Quienten Stevens; Katia Nicole Tarrios; Anthony C. C. Testagrossa; Celeste Marie Torraco; Jocelyn Theresa Trenga*; Victoria Marie Vitale; Christopher M. Waslaske Jr; and Keayra Lyn White.
Graduating Class officers included President Julia Carey, Vice President Celeste Torraco, and Treasurer Shelby Mailloux. 2019 Class Advisors were David St. Jean, and Angela Kitzmiller. Class Marshals and Officers of the Class of 2020 include President Riley Paine; Vice President Bryce King; Secretary Zackery Aldrich; Treasurer Grace Dufour; and Historian Sophia Putnam.
Athol High School’s Assistant Principal, David P. King and Guidance Department Chair Amanda Pagar Wein were joined by School Committee members Lee Chauvette, Joao Baptista, William Chiasson, Tammy Duquette, Mitchell Grosky, Deborah Kuzmeskas, Nancy Melbourne (Royalston); Charles Pretti (Royalston), Carla Rabinowitz (Royalston); and Ken Vaidulas.