Athol High School graduates encouraged to “venture into the unknown"
Published: 06-02-2024 11:43 AM
Modified: 06-02-2024 4:38 PM |
ATHOL – Hundreds of friends and family members gathered Friday night on the grounds of the athletic field at Athol High School to wish the Class of 2024 well as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
Skies were clear and blue and a fresh breeze buffeted the audience as they chose seats that would give them the best view for seeing sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, and treasured family friends receive their diplomas.
“Class of 2024, with a tremendous amount of pride, I stand here before you and applaud your growth which has been achieved over the last four years,” said AHS Principal David King to begin the ceremony for the 95 graduates.
“To say this journey has been anything but challenging would be the biggest understatement I could make,” he continued. “You began your high school experience in the midst of COVID and you were required to navigate your freshman year through Google Meets, Google Classroom…and the complete unknown of what tomorrow might bring. When you came back to regular school, it was anything but regular.”
King said that the Class of 2024 is ready to take on the world and become future leaders. Whatever course the graduates choose to take after high school - whether it be entering college, technical school, the military or the workforce – King said their high school years had them primed for success.
“I am here to tell you tonight that you turned those obstacles and challenges into the greatest possible opportunities,” he said. “You kept pushing on and came to realize that you had the grit and determination that I personally have come to love about the communities of Athol and Royalston.”
“For some of us,” said Salutatorian Brooklyn Hopkins, “this day has come along too soon; for others, this day couldn’t have come soon enough. Today, we’re here to celebrate each other and the accomplishments we’ve made. I am so proud of each and every one of us.”
Hopkins reminder her fellow graduates that they are capable of achieving great things, overcoming obstacles and facing challenges. She also urged them to live their lives to the fullest.
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Valedictorian Cody Germain told classmates that when he reaches the end of his life, he wants it to be filled with memories of what he has done, not what he wanted to do.
“If we live to be 70 years old, then high school would have been less than 5% of our lives,” Germain said. “There is so much time left to live, and we have the time to venture out and live it. Ships can sit in the harbor, but that is not what ships are made for. Venture out into the unknown…look forward, get lost, find yourself. Life is not coming at you; it is coming from you.”
Germain added that while some sadness accompanies the joy of graduation, “With that sadness comes comfort – comfort that brighter days lay ahead. There are bigger and better things down the road for all of us. This may be the end of a chapter, but it is certainly not the end of anyone’s story. Make the most out of it. Don’t waste it.”
Superintendent Matt Ehrenworth told the graduates, “Whether it was family, friends, teachers, or whomever, please remember that you were not alone and will never be alone. Treat everyone with respect and appreciate everyone who is there for you.”
Arielis Linnette Aponte, Jeffrey Michael Arsenault, Brandon Mattew Ayles, Savan nah Rose Basso, Brooke Ashley Bernier, Ian Jeffrery Bezio, Anthony Bruce Bommarito, Jenna Marie-Claire Bonenfant, Trevor Raymond Bullock, Antonio Martin Carbone, Jesse Alexander Casillas, Angel Gabriel Castillo-Vargas, Raymond Jeffrey Castine, Madison Ashley Colo, Andelyz Deliann Colon Gonzalez, Avyona Rose Cordova, Arayha Madison Cowen, Tiffany Raquel Cruz, Dominic Scott Curtis, Alanis Rubi Diaz Velez, Michaila Lucy Dovelien-Andujar, Emmery Anne Dubrule, Tessa Lee-Ann DuPray-Duquette, Anna Patricia Duquette, Elena Clare Florentino, Felicity Carol Freeman, Emily Christine Gallant, Cody Robert Germain, Julianna Diane Godette, Dayani Berenice Gonzalez Soriano, Colby Benjamin Goodwin, Dominic Anthony Gorham, Kiana Jean Gorham-Ferguson, Joseph Alan Galant, Kaylee Michelle Guyotte, Bethany Ann Hall, Gabriell Angel Hall-Page, Tabatha Liz Hall-Page, Brooklyn Jeane Hopkins, Matthew Stephen Hurd, Aiden Laine Kirwan, Senja Mae Laakso, Emma-Lee Lyn Lavorgna, Calen John LeBlanc, Kayla Marie Legare, Liana Marie Leppard, Isaac James Livingston, Abigail Elizabeth Lutz, Abigail Rose Mahan, Elizabeth Ann Mailloux, Samantha Ann Mailloux, Phillip Andrew Martin, Alexander James Masaitis, Colin Jonathan Mason, Olivia Noelle Madison Mason, David Charles Michaud, Sebastian Michel, Douglas Edward Monte III, Rylee Davis Moomaw, Neishaly Gisselle Nieves, Elijah James North, Andre Couto Pacheco, Alyana Alexis Page, Geovanna Alef Pimenta, Aida Elsa Guerrero Plaza, Andru Jaydon Pope, Javon Devon Pottinger, Lillian Joyce Rathburn, Riley Mason Reed, Dylan Russell Richards, Harold Jeremiah Riordan, Andrew Joseph Robinson, Marilyn Elizabeth Rodriguez, Karol Jaleisha Rodriguez Gilbes, Ryan Michael Romero DaSilveira, Dylan Anthony Roso, Kaylan Ann Marie Shaffer, Natiushka Marie Silva Flecha, Hunter Edward Smith, Collin Joseph St. Germaine, Chevelle Cornelia Stockwood, Bayrelisse Marye Torres, Natanael Manuel Torres, Jamieson Christopher Vincent, Noah Jacob Wein, Alma Rose White, Abigail Lyn Willhite, Lashea Amya Williams, Alexander Warren Wiseman, Braydon Ryan York, Riley Joseph Young.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@aol.com.