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Hoosac Class of 2013 Ready to Set the World on Fire

The graduating class sings the school song after being presented their diplomas. Below right, valedictorian Matthew J. Bresett.

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The class of 2013 at Hoosac Valley High School might be "the few," but it's also "the strong."

"'The few, the strong,' that's been our unofficial class motto for most of our school years,"  class speaker Megan K. Cole told the assembled seniors and friends and family on Friday night.

Cole wanted to focus on the latter part of the motto, recalling her white-and-red clad classmates as being "a class of strong-willed students ... a class of strong-minded students."

They'd had to make tough decisions at a young age (Hoosac or McCann?) and left an aging middle school vowing to never return, only to find themselves enduring classrooms with falling ceilings and caving floors for one more year while the high school was renovated.

They had roven their strong spirit in their sports teams, and their strong support in grief.

"We also learned how to be strong support for each other when we lost Dana [Labbee] in 2010," said Cole. "However, we learned to take life as it comes and make the best of it — even if it is coming from the ceiling."

It was also a senior class of firsts, the first to attend and graduate from the new school, with new administrators, the first to earn a Western Massaschusetts title in girls basketball.

"Although not the first, this is still very important: We beat Drury in football, basketball and soccer," said Cole, ribbing the school's archrival to cheers and applause.

The class of 94 had entered the new gym through a gate of red and white balloons and the flash of cameras. Seated under the 2013 banner urging them to "set the world on fire," the seniors were presented their diplomas by Principal Vinnie A. Regan and Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee Chairman Paul K. Butler.

Salutatorian Daniel P. Butler said he and his classmates had been known by many names, but there was an important one he wanted them to be known by in the future.

Salutatorian Daniel P. Butler and class speaker K. Megan Cole.

"The one thing I want to be known as, the one thing I want to know everyone of my classmates as, is 'successful person,'" he said.  

To be successful, said Butler, they needed to be prepared for anything — and crumbled his prepared speech into a ball. Not to worry, he said, there was a back up in his pocket because he was prepared.

They had to be ready for competition because while they may be politically equal, the truth was they weren't all equal in everything.

And third, "Never back down from a challenge: Challenges are what define you, they prove you have what it takes to do what is necessary to become successful."  

Valedictorian Matthew J. Bresett reminded them not to focus to strongly on their goals, but to keep one eye on the path and be prepared for whatever opportunities arise.

He thanked the class "for making great memories we will all be laughing at at our reunions," and the parents and faculty who had helped them to this day, especially his mom, which generated a long "aaaaawwww" from his classmates.  

"Thank you for everything," Bresett said. "Know that everything you have done for us is greatly appreciated."

With a tossing of tassels, the class of 2013 erupted with silly string, poppers and glitter, eager to set forth on their next journey.

Cole charged them to: "Remember that you are the strong, so Hoosac Valley class of 2013, go forward and set the world on fire."

62 'Fighting' Hoosac Valley Students Graduate

Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
08:19PM / Friday, June 05, 2026

Class speaker Noah Rehill describes the class of 2026 as having a fighting spirit. See more photos here. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The 62 members of the Hoosac Valley class of 2026 were told to hold on to their fighting spirit during their graduation ceremony. 

"What gives me the most pride in Hoosac is the tenacity our students have. Everyone here is so passionate, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because we fight for our wins, and a curse because we do, indeed, fight," said class speaker Noah Rehill on Friday night. "... But nonetheless, you'll never find a bunch of kids from a public high school in rural Massachusetts with that much fighting spirit within them."

 

Rehill said the class of 2026 fought for audiences during performances, they fought on the Student Adult Advisory Board for better school conditions, they fought on the field, and fought through long nights studying.

 

And now they face a different fight.

 

"We've fought all the way through all the scary thoughts of who we would become when we leave this place," he said. "We've fought through college decisions. We've definitely fought through FAFSA. And here we are tonight, fighting through tears as we celebrate everything it took to get here."

 

Rehill thanked all of those who helped along the way including friends, family, and teachers. He said the school is filled with "hundreds of helping hands." He added that their education went beyond just math or social studies, and the graduates picked up some street smarts along the way.

 

He ended by calling out some community members who took to social media to point out the smaller class sizes graduating from Hoosac Valley. He said there was one message that stated Hoosac Valley's glory days were behind it. 

 

"To that I'd say I disagree and not to worry," he said. "Remember, I got this role by knowing all 62 of my classmates better than anybody, and I have to say that there's a certain magic that you may not see from the outside, but that radiates on the inside...What I've learned from the class of 2026 is that greatness isn't about how many people are standing beside you. It's about what kind of people are standing beside you...So, if anyone is worried that the best days at Hoosac are behind us, I got news for you. I think you're looking in the wrong direction, because the best days of Hoosac are sitting right here in front of you. Congratulations, class of 2026, and one last thing: we will always be better than Drury. Roll Canes.