Quabbin Regional graduates 237

By Cristy Bertini

Turley Publications Correspondent

BARRE – “Well, we made it.” Senior Class President Joshua Lapierre said to the 237 smiling graduates. “It seems like only yesterday we were starting kindergarten, then we got to middle school, and now we are here, graduating from high school.”

Lapierre congratulated his fellow seniors and thanked the parents and teachers. “Now we will receive our diplomas and walk with our heads held high into a new adventure.”

Quabbin Principal Marilyn Tencza congratulated the seniors. She said that the Class of 2010 was awarded a total of $241,550 in scholarships. That translates to $694,250 over a four-year period. Of the 237 graduates, 197 plan to continue their education, five seniors are planning to enter the military, and 35 are planning to enter the workforce.

Student essayist Chantal McMullen delivered her essay, titled, “The End of a Beginning”.

“As our lives are just beginning, our adventures have only begun. And whatever the obstacle may be, our drive will see us through. Graduation marks the end of a path. As it ends, our new path begins. During this year’s journey, I have learned and discovered so much. Every landmark in our lives will end, but there is always a beginning to an end. Young and invincible, or so I thought, was my mindset as I walked through the doors, freshman year. Upon entering high school, the majority of us had one goal in mind- graduation. Many of us were told that high school would be the best time of our lives, so we better enjoy it. We all took our first steps into high school. For some of us, it was exciting and exhilarating. For others, including myself, it was scary and nerve-wracking. We all wondered- would the classes be too hard? Would we make new friends? And most of all, what if we got lost? All of these fears eventually subsided and I, along with all of you, found the right classes and the right teachers. We all made new friends and we all got involved. I believe that we have all worked so diligently and have accomplished so much. It should not end here. The trick is to combine our waking rational abilities with the infinite possibilities of our dreams, because if we can do that, we can do anything.”

Guest speaker state Sen. Stephen Brewer delivered a heartfelt and emotional speech, as his daughter, Audrey, was among the graduating seniors.

“Earlier this morning, I went into the landfill that we call ‘Audrey’s room’ and I got the yearbook out. This was the first time I’ve seen it, even though I paid for it, and I was looking at the quotes that the seniors put in there, and I was struck by the quote that Hailey Joyce put in, which is from Dr. Seuss- ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’. On this particular night, of all the nights of your lifetimes, this is one to remember. For some of you as parents, this is your firstborn that is graduating. I know what that is like from four years ago, and I got a book called “Letting Go”, and I strongly advise that you read this book. If this is your middle child, I have no idea what to say to you, because I only have two. But if this is your final child that is graduating, we men will hear our wives say those three magical words- ‘Let’s eat out.’“

Brewer went on to say, “Our wish for you is for a happy heart. Make laughter as important as air and play as essential as hard word. Our wish for you is a nurtured soul. Continue to believe in yourself, and let each new challenge and accomplishment inspire you to even greater heights. Tonight, we as your parents, share a night of pride and nostalgia. We are proud of each of you individually, because we with God’s help, brought you into this world. And, we are proud of you collectively, the great class of 2010, because we have gotten to know so many of you. We’ve watched you grow and mature. We have watched you overcome adversity. Some of you have lost your mom or dad along this path. Some of you encountered divorce. And like you Joshua Pearson, you have overcome obstacles that do nothing short of inspire us, who observe your courage and determination every day.”

Brewer told the students, “What many of you have overcome is much of what life is like. There will be joy and there will be sadness. But for fullness of life, it requires that each of you carry on. Never give up to self doubt and never give in to despair. You have come so far, and you have so far yet to go. You are the product of this great partnership- your teachers who are here tonight who have touched your lives forever, your communities, and most importantly, your parents. Back in 1992 or 1991, the doctors put you into our arms and changed our lives forever. The hope for the future rested in our arms. No matter what you do from this moment on, you will always be, simply, the greatest thing that has ever happened to us. Your little handprints are forever etched in our hearts. We do not wish fame or fortune for you. We want you to be happy and healthy and fulfilled. We know that we have done our best with you, and we now have to let you spread your wings and soar to great opportunities. And, yet tonight, fully knowing what change there is going to be, maybe just one more time, to give your toddler self a bath, and to read Goodnight Moon, as we tuck you in for the evening, would be welcome to us.”

Throughout the evening’s events, beach balls appeared, with the students bouncing them back and forth and teachers confiscating them. But, they just kept on appearing, as well as silly string, bubbles, balloons and air horns.

Superintendent Dr. Maureen Marshall told the audience that students were given a “pat-down” before the ceremony, but a few of these things must have gotten through.

Marshall said she had actually had some of the graduates’ parents in her classes. She told the students, “You know how your parents tell you how they worked so hard in high school? Well I can tell you stories about those parents of yours. Frankly, I would look at some of these kids in my class and pray that they didn’t reproduce. But, it looks like they did and it looks like they did a great job.” This received great laughter from the students and parents.

Marshall then certified and presented the class of 2010 to be ready to receive their diplomas.

One by one, the students’ names were called and as each came forward to receive their diplomas, friends, family and fellow seniors blew their air horns, whistled and cheered, with parents yelling “I love you!” to their sons and daughters.

After the presentation of diplomas, Class President Joshua Lapierre then told the students to “move their tassels”, to which the students threw their caps in the air and stepped off the bleachers and into their futures.