Wahconah Grads Told to Remember Good Times, Create Joy
DALTON, Mass. — Members of the class of 2021 cannot be blamed for lamenting the athletic competitions, productions, parties and — yes — classes that they missed over the last 15 months.
But Wahconah Class President and salutatorian Shaun Thornton had a different message for his fellow graduates on Saturday afternoon.
"The circumstances of our senior year were far from ideal, this is true," Thornton said. "But is often too easy to narrowly focus on the things you don't have and, in doing so, overlook all that you do have.
"As we look back on our time here at Wahconah, my greatest wish is that we don't become discouraged by but we missed but instead appreciate what we had. We attended dances, pep rallies, field trips, sporting events, talent shows, Appolonian performances and senior assemblies. We read novels, wrote essays, solved problems, studied languages, played music, created art. We formed friendships.
"A single year does not define a high school experience unless you let it. So don't."
For the second straight year, Wahconah moved its graduation exercises out of the gym and onto the football field. The school's 60th graduation saw 130 seniors receive diplomas in front of friends and family, beneath a clear blue sky and in the shadow of the new high school that will greet Wahconah's class of 2025 in September.
As the class of 2021 said goodbye to their teachers and friends, it was not lost on them that they also were saying goodbye to the building they called home for the last four years.
"We have spent the last four years as a group, building bonds and creating a community that will forever have a place in our memory," valedictorian Aiden Trager said. "Wahconah will always be the place where we grew up, the school where we learned be adults. And although we may not recognize the new school as our home, we can appreciate that we made an impact on Wahconah's history.
"We can take pride that we were an example of leadership this year, that we kept traditions alive through the most unruly of times and that the students who remain will follow in the footsteps that we have left."
The ceremony included a performance of the song "Have It All" pre-recorded by the Wahconah choir, and acknowledgements by Principal Aaron Robb of the numerous volunteers who put together and coordinated the outdoor event.
Robb, a father of adolescents himself, also acknowledged the people in the back who had the backs of the graduates.
"Graduation is not really for our graduates, it's for their families, too," Robb said. "It certainly provides closure for you, but for your families, it's the fulfilment of a dream. As a parent, I'd remind the graduates that when they were born — within days, hours, even minutes of their birth — their parents envisioned their children celebrating two important milestones in their life: graduation and marriage.
"At some point in time, the parents of the class of 2021 literally dreamed about what is happening now before their very eyes. And here we are making that happen."
As that dream unfolded, Robb noted that many parents are also fearful about sending their children off into a nightmarish world of division and acrimony.
To help them navigate that fractured world, Robb offered three pieces of advice: find peace within themselves, find and accept love in their lives and push themselves to create joy.
"Note that I said the word 'create,' " Robb said. "Joy is something you can actually make for yourself. It's created by searching for and embracing the silver linings in life.
"This pandemic has taught us many things. But one thing I noticed was how some people, in the midst of despair in the last year and a half, amplified the positives and still found joy in aspects of their lives while others chose to amplify the negatives and embrace misery."
Trager reminded his classmates of the joy that they have created together.
"We spent an entire year of our young lives daydreaming about the greatness that is to come, but, for just a moment, let's appreciate where we are now and how far we've come," Trager said. "We are leaving school for the final time together, finally without masks on and with a unique perspective about life.
"If there's anything to thank quarantine for, it's that, for many, it was the first time we looked at ourselves and the world around and realized what was truly important to us. Whether it be family, friends, or whatever else you missed the most, take this moment to realize that we have a second chance to better ourselves. Let's allow ourselves to learn from this experience and not take anything for granted. Because, as we've experienced, life can change suddenly and without warning."
The list of awards and scholarships can be found here. Wahconah Regional High School's class of 2021:
Chloe Bell Accardi *
Kelly Kristina Anderson *
Sadie Marie Anderson *
Zachary John Archambault
Nicholas Louis Astore *
Cody Christopher Atwood
Alexis Rose Ayotte
Jaedyn Elizabeth Barnaby
Karly Angelina Bazonski
Lauren Broderick Bean
Shane Matthew Bernardo
Aiden Gregory Betit *
Ashton Mikael Bird
Hannah Catherine Bowlby
Gabriel Michael Bray
Emma Kathleen Brosnan
Connor William Burt
Evan Michael Bynack
Grace Olivia Caccaviello *
Gabrielle Marie Cancilla
Kya Lynn Candilore
Carina Lynn Caporale
Emma Lucinda Carkhuff *
Anna Michelle Casella
Eleana Fay Casey *
Abigail Caroline Clayton *
Cameron Alexander Combs
Scarlet Jane Connell
Sawyer Quinn Cornwell-L'Hote
Jillian Rae Cote *
Nathaniel Mattey Coyne
Haley Anne Crosier
Bryce Montgomery Denault
Eric Lee Dewey
Madison Rose DiPietro
Meghan Xiao Ju Doane *
Jake William Emerson
Joshua David Fletcher
Bethany Rose Fontaine
Cameron Gage Forward
Noelle Catherine Furlong *
Cameron Patrick Paul Fusini
Quinn Morgan Gallagher
Maria Louise Gamberoni *
Olivia Helen Gazzillo
Christopher Shane Golembeski
Kayla Maria Goyette
Sage Lynn Guiel *
Shayne Michael Haley *
Austin Thomas Hart
Ethan Riley Hayes
Madison Leigh Hurlburt *
Jessica Ranae Jones
Ty Marshall Jordan
Donovan Cronnell Keegan *
Griffin Daniel Keifer
Colby Hunter Kirchner
Benjamin Lee Klose *
Joscelynn Elizabeth Korzeniowski
Kassidy Jayde Krejmas *
Ernest Remi Lampron *
John Joseph Lavoie
Kaleb Lawrence LePage
Caitlyn Ann Lusignan
Hanna Jean Lusignan
Colin Richardson Mackie
Patience Faith MacPherson *
Shea Louis MacPherson
Brian Anthony Mange-Rock
Morgan Lynn Marauszwski*
Sophia Terese Ruth Marquis
Anthony Carmen Marra
Isaac Christopher Marszalek
Trey Matthew Massaro
Mckenna Ray Mathers
Maggie Elizabeth Mazzeo*
Nicole Patricia Mazzeo
Caleb Ray McCasland
Sadie Mattis McConnell
Laci Alexandra Melle
Joshua Michael Munn
Braelyn Elizabeth Nelson
Ethan William Nesbit
Macy Marie Nesbit
Logan Hunter Newsome
Richard James Nolli
Aisha Elizabeth O'Boyle*
Kaylee Michele O'Bryan*
Ashley Rose O'Connell
Kaitlyn Grace Olds
Luc Alan Ouellet
Austin Reed Ovletrea
Anil Utku Ozdemir
Vienne Clare Peltier*
Emily Rose Perault
Noah Andrew Perault*
Emily Noel Pires
Arianna Kassandra Poirier
Brock Anthony Prett
Callum John Prett
Matthew Robert Quinto
Lay Victor Manuel Ramos
Connor David Rarick
Jonathan Michael Render
Amiah Beth Renderer
Natalie Rae Robert
Caitlin Rose Ronayne*
Cameron Mason Rudd
Anthony James Safford Anthony James
Monica Christine De Miranda Santos
Faith Victoria Savery*
Hunter James Schweizer
Jacob Francis Selva
Sydney Ann Smith
Paxton Rose Strout
Kaeli Lynn Talora
Timothy Michael-Antonio Therrien*
Shaun David Thornton*
Aiden Pierce Trager*
Julia Dianne Trager*
Alexis Raegan VanBramer
Giovanna Cavalcanti Vianna*
Kaelynn Brigitte Walsh
Casey Anthony Wassilie
Xavier Lucia Wellington*
Danielle Rita Whitaker
Michelle Jiatao White
Michelle Jean Williams*
Daniel Clayton Wilson*
Nicole Elaine Wing
*National Honor Society
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