On Sunday, June 5, the class of 2016 celebrated their commencement in the Hawkes Field House. Plenty of family and friends were in attendance for the exciting event. The graduates filed into their seats, before Student Council President Briana Ferreira recited the Pledge of Allegiance, soloist Cameron Dieselman performed the National Anthem, and Principal Bakr delivered a short introduction.
These proceedings were followed with a speech by Salutatorian Paul Chong. In his speech, he referenced the mostly-Japanese 442nd infantry regiment in the US army during WWII, whose motto was "Go for broke", and became the most decorated regiment in the country’s history. Chong went on to say that everyone is capable of achieving their goals, as long as him or her is willing to "go for broke." He mentioned how although one's high school achievements may be forgotten, their moments, friends, and experiences mean everything. He laughed while citing the variety of names that he was called during his time at RMHS, such as "Paul Chong, Peter Chong, Paul Chang", none of which will eventually matter. He closed his speech by reminding his classmates to give all future endeavors their all: "Class of 2016, let's go for broke!" Elizabeth Trauger then delivered the Valedictory Address. She explained that she was nervous to speak in front of so many people, and asked her brother for help; he told her that no one would care what she said in her speech. She set out to prove him wrong, describing how she investigated possible topics on Google. She spoke of how "For 18 years, our futures have been safe and predictable..." but that it is now important to leave our comfort zones. She explained that her brother was probably right: no one would remember her speech. But, they would remember their friendships, teachers, classes, sports, clubs, accomplishments, risks, adventures, and disappointments, though even greater moments await.
Next, Dr. John Doherty explained that though it was his seventh high school graduation as superintendent, he had mixed emotions this year, as it was his last year as a parent in the Reading Public Schools. The father in him soon came out, mentioning, with a laugh, how difficult it must have been for his daughter to be known as the "superintendent's daughter", especially when it came to snow days. Dr. Doherty discussed how Reading is a community that goes above and beyond for its students, and that this closeness was shown when the community came together to grieve the death of Nate Doiron in December of 2014; in Nate's memory, a graduation cap was put on the seat where he would have been sitting.
Dr. Doherty then transitioned to the thought that this year, each student's firsts become lasts, switching back to his "superintendent's hat" in mentioning the accomplishments of a number of students. This list included Briana Ferreira, who lived a third of her life in Brazil and successfully adjusted to life in Reading, Nick O'Leary, who received an award for math and science and will be completing an internship for Raytheon this summer, and Sam Enright, who placed fourth in a national competition for rock climbing before competing in a worldwide competition in Italy with climbers from over fifty countries. Doherty then proudly announced that three members of the Class of 2016 will be joining the armed forces: Kevin King, Seth Fillmore, and Kayla St. Pierre. His long speech ended with quotes by Robert Frost and Walt Disney regarding following your individual hopes and dreams. Mr. Adam Bakr followed up Dr. Doherty’s speech, beginning by thanking the many people involved in the success of the event, including Mrs. Allyson Williams and Mr. Zachary Broken Rope, the class advisors, Celina Bove and Chris Millett, the marshals, the Reading Cooperative Bank for their donation of water for graduates, the band and singers for their performances, and many more. Mr. Bakr then called for a moment of silence in honor of the late Nate Doiron. Mr. Bakr announced his belief that Bob Marley's "Don't Worry About a Thing" was the class's theme song. He shared that the class is wise beyond their years, always doing the right thing even if others disagree. He reminded the students to "Trust [their] inner compass." Finally, it came time for the students to accept their diplomas. First went the Class President, Student Council President, Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Class Office members, followed by everyone else. Once Simone Zuchowski happily accepted the last diploma of the day, and the crowd finished clapping and cheering, Class President Johnny Guazzaloca delivered his humorous speech. He began by thanking a number of people, before proceeding to list the not-so-good parts of the past 4 years, including being yelled at for drinking coffee and wearing hats. Although he is now, as he put it, "free of RMHS's demands", Guazzaloca went on to reminisce on the things that he would miss about high school. He mentioned how when he was elected class president, he was asked, "How are you president?”, more often than he received congratulations. He explained how being president of his class has changed him, because "last years [him] would've [written] this speech last night, but this year's [him] wrote it two nights ago." Guazzaloca mentioned the loss of his friend Nate, whose death, he believes, taught the class of 2016 that they are capable of handling tragedy together. He, lastly, with the help of a quote by Tom Brady, prompted his classmates not to let society control them, to believe in themselves, and to always strive for greatness.
Congratulations to the class of 2016, and best of luck in the future!