Blue Hills Regional School holds 2013 commencement exercises
By GuestBy Judy Bass
One hundred eighty-seven members of the Class of 2013 graduated from Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton on Wednesday, June 12, under skies that were initially leaden, but brightened considerably as the ceremony went on, fittingly matching the jubilant mood of the occasion.
The students are from throughout the Blue Hills Regional District, including Avon, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Holbrook, Milton, Norwood, Randolph and Westwood.
Present were the seniors’ families, Blue Hills Regional District School Committee members Germano John Silveira (Braintree), Aidan G. Maguire Jr. (Canton), Robert McNeil (Holbrook), Festus Joyce (Milton), Kevin Connolly (Norwood), and Marybeth Nearen (Randolph), school staff, and other guests who looked on with enthusiasm as administrators and student speakers bade farewell to the soon-to-be graduates in speeches that were filled with somber advice for the future, along with buoyant expressions of good luck and congratulations.
Master of ceremonies was Assistant Superintendent/Principal Michael J. Barrett, who also helped with the presentation of diplomas.
District School Committee Chairman Joseph A. Pascarella of Dedham, a Blue Hills graduate himself, welcomed everyone while also reminiscing about his own days at the school.
Superintendent James P. Quaglia delivered a stirring and heartfelt speech in which he discussed the changing meaning of success.
“Today, you will open a door and walk through it,” Quaglia said, “a door that will lead you to experiences that you probably never imagined.”
Invoking the courageous first responders who risked their lives for others at the Boston Marathon bombings and at the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Quaglia continued, “I think that success means reaching out to others in need, knowing there will be no fanfare for your actions. It’s being there for the people around you. It’s setting an example.”
“As you will discover,” Quaglia explained, “this is not only a new global economy, but a new global community. Its currency is measured not in dollars, but in kindness, generosity and unselfishness. I believe we all need each other as never before. As the world becomes more complex and in some cases, more ominous, none of us can be an island onto ourselves.”
Finally, Quaglia exhorted the graduates to “make success your own, however you define it.”
Class President Rachel Rudin of Holbrook could barely restrain her emotions as she addressed the crowd, saying, “All the teachers, faculty and administration at this school have worked so hard and put so much time and effort into preparing us to be able to achieve all of our goals. It’s been an amazing experience here for all of us graduating, and I will never regret the decision I made to come to Blue Hills.”
Valedictorian Aaron Nesselle of Randolph said, “Never let anyone or anything stop you from accomplishing your goals. Not a poor test grade or a college rejection or any of life’s many stumbling blocks. If you should ever find yourself in these situations, don’t give up. Remain hopeful because it is through adversity that the real you will shine. Don’t lead yourself to believe that you are at the end of the road when things get tough. Stay confident and remember there will always be another opportunity — you just have to seek it.”
“We each chose a path,” Nesselle added, “and whether it begins tomorrow or in September, things will never be the same again. We have made bonds between friends that will never be broken. We have made memories that will last a lifetime.”
Presentation of the senior class gift was made by Treasurer Bethany Norman of Dedham to Superintendent Quaglia. The gift was funds for a welcoming activity for the school’s incoming freshmen.
Among the graduates receiving diplomas from Blue Hills were 18 residents of Canton: Stephen Bainton, Peter Brennan, Daryon Calhoun, Essence DeRosa, Sean Donahue, David Foley, Edward Forsyth, Michael Glick, Noah Horton, Michael Kelly, Richard Kelly, Melissa Lara-Baez, Eric Manning Jr., Shane McManus, Robert Newayno, Bradford Slocum, Eryn Sullivan, and William Tomasello.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=21189
Posted by 
