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Lenox Superintendent Graduates 'Best, Last Class'

	Family and friends of the 69 graduates congregated the Koussevitzky Music Shed for an afternoon of shared admiration and gratitude from the class of 2014. More photos to come.

LENOX, Mass. — The graduating class of Lenox Memorial High School reflected through their high school years with song and speeches Sunday during commencement at Tanglewood.

Family and friends of the 69 graduates congregated the Koussevitzky Music Shed for an afternoon of what appeared to be shared admiration.

Superintendent of Schools Edward W. Costa II reflected on what he called the uniqueness of the class of 2014 and his admiration for them as "leaders in our school and in our world."

"I think the one thing that sets the class of 2014 apart from all of the other classes is their willingness to help and to be volunteers, to have each other's back, and to always take time for each other," Costa said. "They are always wanting to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they have demonstrated that the world can be a better place if you simply get involved."

Costa thanked the class of 2014 as the last one he will graduate as a superintendent.

"I thank each and every one of you for allowing me to part of your public school experience," he said. "You are my 37th graduation; you are my last, and you are my best."

Valedictorian Delaney Moran, in her address, thanked the Lenox community for its support.

"What I can say is that Lenox has been my place of residence for 18 years, but more so it has been my home and my family," Moran said. "What I have taken away from my years at school have been memories I will never forget and friendships that will last my entire life."

Salutatorian Sarah Morley addressed family and friends and showed her admiration for her classmates. She said how welcomed she felt at Lenox as a new student.

"What I will remember is the small things that make life so meaningful," Morley said. "I will remember how you invited someone sitting alone to join your table, how you didn't mind explaining something to the person who came in late, sharing your lunch or your notes, picking up a pencil, volunteering to be someone's partner, giving a compliment, or even just sharing a smile."

Four students were invited to give their reflections on the class of 2014.

Jacob Edelman said his class had a strong sense of community.

"Our greatest success … is the unquestionable loyalty we hold for each other regardless of where a person comes from, how a person thinks, or how a person acts," Edelman said "That is what makes us special; this quality of togetherness and accord."

William Palmer thanked the educators that made his time more fulfilling.

"It is unbelievable to me that a public high school can have a teaching staff rich with Ph.D.s and passionate intellectuals who could easily take their talents elsewhere," Palmer said. "…To all of our wonderful teachers; we love you and thank you for sharing your passion for learning with us."

Josephine Marshall urged her fellow students to remain young and open to new experiences.

"As we go off this stage and into the world it is all too common for people our age to become obsessed with the idea that in order to be happy we have to find the perfect college of perfect … but think about what brought you happiness as a child," Marshall said. "New experiences, surprises, or perhaps making a new friend; we have held onto the is childlike wonder in life so I encourage my classmates to please hold onto their youthful willingness to experiment."

Raiche Wright joined her classmates with a straightforward address that urged her fellow students to stay true to themselves.

"Never let imperfect ideas fade because, in all in actuality, it is what makes this world imperfectly perfect place," Wright said.

Sean O'Brien performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" and joined Katelyn Monteleone and Taylor Tranfaglia for a musical selection during the ceremony.

Principal Michael Knybel, Assistant Principal Brian Cogswell, and School Committee Chairman Donald Fitzgerald presented the graduates with their diplomas.

BerkChique! at Ventfort Hall