MARLBOROUGH – Marlborough High School (MHS) celebrated its graduates this past weekend, marking a return to a traditional graduation ceremony format after two years of COVID-19 disruptions.
Addressing graduates on Sunday morning, speakers acknowledged the impacts of the pandemic while also looking to the future.
“What does one say to an amazing group of young people that have endured and persevered through so much?” Principal Dan Riley asked at one point.
“Wherever you go and whatever you do,” he ultimately said, “continue to be kind.”
The ceremony featured comments from Mayor Arthur Vigeant, Schools Superintendent Michael Bergeron and Riley, as well as Salutatorian Sarah Cronin, Valedictorian Courtney Sweeney and Class President Adham Hussein.
Treasurer Kobe Almeida and Class Historian Thiago Borges, who spoke together, presented this year’s class gift – a banner proclaiming Marlborough High School as “Home of the Panthers.”
In her speech, Cronin lauded her classmates as “the class that never did anything halfway,” recalling moments of school spirit and energy even through the coronavirus pandemic.
“After four of the weirdest years of high school, we finally made it out,” she said.
Vigeant spoke on the changing world of employment and work, celebrating opportunities for students to work in rewarding fields.
He honored Bergeron, who is leaving his superintendent position this month, before highlighting Bergeron’s story as an example of someone seizing an opportunity for an exciting new job.
Bergeron, who has spent more than a dozen years in education, is now set to become the Chief Operating Officer at a game publisher in New Hampshire.
“When opportunity knocked, Mike answered the door and will soon be off to a new chapter of his life,” Vigeant said.
Sweeney structured her speech as a letter to her eighth grade self, responding, in kind, to a letter that her eighth grade self had written to be opened around graduation.
“Maybe halfway through, you realize that I would want a little more insight from you in the letter,” Sweeney said. “The final line is different from the rest.”
Sweeney recited that line before analyzing it further – “Hope your life is better then.”
She reflected on growth and hope, discussing her next steps and voicing a closing message.
“Hope will be the best gift you give yourself,” she said.
Marlborough’s full graduation ceremony can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldPEugHvByY.
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