Lenox Graduates Ready to Be Heroes of Their Own Stories

	Lenox Memorial High School presented 64 diplomas on Sunday at Tanglewood. See more photos here.

LENOX, Mass. — The class of 2015 recalled its history together at Sunday's graduation exercises, and how their high school careers had prepared them for challenges ahead.

A half dozen or so student speakers at the student-directed ceremony riffed on inside jokes, favorite teachers, shared experiences, and enlightening programs that had brought them to this day and what, one speaker said, was less a graduation than a transition into a new world.

The story of the class of 2015 begun long ago, said valedictorian Charlotte Cahillane.

"Once upon a time there was a group of scared, nervous and excited kids in kindergarten ... all of these kids would grow up to become part of the Lenox class of 2015," she told the family and friends gathered in The Shed at Tanglewood. "All they knew was that their new cubby was really cool, recess was fun and reading or coloring was their favorite part of the day."

The class would have more exciting and anxious times as it made its way through the Lenox school system — the programs, the performances, the tests as each grade they achieved brought them closer to converge here on this day and on this stage, she said, where again "we sit, scared, nervous and excited."

"I think we'll be able to conquer all those challenges ahead of us because this insanely talented group of people behind me will do whatever they set their minds to do," Cahillane said. "Each one of ... have the knowledge and power to take on those challenges."

"We have all been the protagonists of the story of our education but now we are ready to be heroes of our own stories."

Brianna Carmon, Grace Fitzgerald, Julia King and Christeen Stracuzzi added in their thoughts; Isaac Gotterer threatened to go off script but reeled it in to discuss his "stereotypical high school" education.

"Let's be real. High school isn't great. It's not the worst thing in the world but definitely not the best," he said to laughter. That stereotypical experience, however, was one of the best ways to learn about yourself and abilities.

"What we've learned here can help us strengthen our knowledge so that we can successfully strive in the fun and scary world waiting for us," he said, punctuating the end of his speech by singing the words of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

The 64 graduates were presented diplomas by Superintendent Timothy Lee, who thanked faculty, staff and parents for their support in getting the students to this day, School Committee Chairman Robert Vaughn and Assistant Principal Brian Cogswell. The chorus, joined by some of the graduates, sang the national anthem and the song "Come Go With Me."

Class President Robert McNinch said he would cherish the memories of his classmates.

"Thank you class of 2015 for making my high school experience extraordinary," he said. "I know you will all continue to leave your mark on this world."

Principal Michael Knybel, in presenting the class, told its members "as you go your separate ways, keep your passion, keep in your heart what we saw on stage this afternoon."

The ceremony ended with the gathering on the lawn at Tanglewood with a circle of tossed caps and the congratulations of family.

Salutatorian Kamaree Saldo urged her classmates to continue to remember its past as it looks to the future.  

"Part of me is still holding onto my inner child, that little girl who wanted to be Peter Pan and stay young forever ... I will protect that little child inside and I'll never completely let go," she said. "I hope that you all do the same."

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