DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School celebrated the class graduating for the first time in the new school and honored the hard work and pioneer attributes that they displayed during their time there.

 

The graduates and choir harmonized the national anthem to commence the graduation exercises in the high school gym. Valedictorian and Class President Quinn Walton welcomed the guests that gathered to commend her classmates and praised the opportunities this new school has provided them. 

 

Walton noted that this year's graduates 102 were the first to walk the halls of the new high school that opened in October and set the tone for all future graduates.

 

"We were the first class to eat lunch on our new back patio, decorate our new hallways on the last day of school, and celebrate this monumental occasion in our new gym," Walton said.

 

"We have been blessed with the newest, most advanced school building in the county and in turn, we have worked hard throughout this school year to adapt to our new technology and learning spaces."

 

Salutatorian Julianne Kieper expressed how, despite COVID-19 and the uncertain times, the graduates were able to overcome the challenges to define themselves and the school that they are moving on from. 

 

"Despite years of uncertainty, cancellation after cancellation, and a long wait for things to go the way we wanted them to, we persevered. We didn't ask for these challenges, but we overcame them, and are here today, about to graduate," Kieper said. "Wahconah helped define us. But we also helped define Wahconah."

 

Walton urged during her speech the importance of memories and being true to oneself. She conveyed the importance of continuing to be brave in the obstacles that they will face on their next journey. 

 

"Moving forward, the purpose is to make as many memories as possible. And that is scary. Everything changes today. We're leaving the state of life that we have grown to be comfortable with," Walton said. "High school is over. We're adults, and we have choices to make. We have made memories here, but now it is time to make more. We need to be brave."

 

She said bravery portrays itself in a lot different ways and that the graduates were brave through the pandemic and by being at the forefront of the new school. They will continue to be brave as they march into their futures, whatever it may hold, she added.

 

"Bravery is sitting in the common room on the first day of college, waiting for somebody to walk in. Bravery is signing up for the military, pushing yourself physically and mentally to accomplish something great. Bravery is advocating," Walton said.  "We can be the generation that is brave enough to create a new vision for our world, who can keep up with constant advances, and who can anticipate and take advantage of the amazing and sometimes expected changes in our futures."

 

Central Berkshire Regional Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis commended the seniors for all hard work they did that has developed them into leaders and prepared them for their next step. 

 

"I am saying that I've been incredibly impressed by all that was motivated by your heart and was at the root of your actions," Blake-Davis said. "I have watched as you encouraged and shared your friends supported each other through difficult decision making, and live the hard work around speaking up through inequities that you felt deeply. For this note that I'm extremely proud." 

 

Principal Aaron Robb thanked the staff for their educating the students during the uncertain times that the pandemic and the new school transition caused.

 

He also thanked the students parents and guardians and added that graduation is not for the students.

 

"Graduation is really not for you. It's for your families, and certainly provides closure for you and for your families is the fulfillment of a dream as a parent," Robb said.  "And, I reminded our graduates at rehearsal, that when they were born, within the days, hours or even minutes of their birth, their parents started to envision their children celebrating two important milestones in their life: graduation and someday, marriage."

 

In the past, he said, he would tell the students going on the path into military to be careful but this year he felt the need to urge all the students to be careful, especially those going into the medical field and those who choose to become educators, due to COVID-19 and the amount of school shootings happening in America. 

 

Robb told the parents and the graduates to close their eyes and think about what he said. He gave the graduates and families one last homework assignment and told them to reflect on one moment that they made them proud and to share it with each other immediately after the ceremony. 

 

Each graduate walked one by one to receive their diplomas as they were applauded by their loved ones. The graduates stood tall with diploma in their hand as a confetti gun blasted blue and white celebrating the end and initiating the next chapter of their lives. 

 

Wahconah High Awards & Scholarships

 

Wahconah Regional High School class of 2022