WESTBOROUGH – Westborough High School (WHS) celebrated its 150th graduating class on Saturday when the 292 students of the Class of 2022 assembled for their outdoor ceremony.
For the first time since the pandemic hit, the ceremony included the WHS Senior Choral Union singing the national anthem under the direction of Alyson Greer Espinosa. Also returning this year was instrumental music performed by the WHS Band directed by Evan Doyle.
Surrounding the turf field were decorations from the previous evening’s Memory Lane Stroll for the graduating seniors and their families. Memories then continued at the podium as School Committee Chair Lisa Edinberg welcomed attendees to the ceremony.
Class President Sasha Wilkinson noted that her classmates are currently the only grade at WHS to experience “a single year of complete normalcy” when they were freshmen. As seniors, they subsequently revived a number of events that had been canceled due to pandemic restrictions.
“The participation, patience and resilience of every single student has begun to not only rebuild the community events that we once had, but also expand them even more,” she said.
Valedictorian Aarushi Pant humorously acknowledged that she had self-described herself as a perfectionist while a freshman. Pant noted that she has since learned that perfectionism is not necessarily a good trait.
“I wish you all amazingly imperfect futures,” she told her graduating classmates.
Superintendent Amber Bock drew on personal experiences in her comments to express an appreciation for interacting with different personalities.
“The years ahead of you have plenty of room for people and perspectives that will challenge and fascinate you,” she told the graduating seniors. “All of them can enrich you.”
Principal Brian Callaghan commended the graduating seniors for rising to face multiple challenges and for becoming role models.
“Your maturity, responsibility and extraordinary achievement in every part of this high school have genuinely provided a fabulous model for those who will follow,” he said. “Thanks to each of you for how you’ve conducted yourself in making good on our core value of mutual respect and commitment to meaningful learning.”
Graduates this year were recognized for receiving scholarships amounting to over $135,000.
Another traditional sign of normalcy, likewise, took place after the ceremony concluded. The WHS Class of 2022 gathered together and tossed their caps into the air.
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