PreviousNext

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."

Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar