As a golden sun set over grass growing green and fast and a new crop of graduates sitting in Franklin High School’s athletic fields Friday evening, there was the hopeful air of a start, not an end.
Tyler Arnold was certainly looking forward. A new Marine Corps recruit, he wore the sash indicating his future proudly, saying he’s been waiting for this since he was three or four years old. He added that he was grateful for his dad, who pushed him to get good grades and get to this point.
“I’m proud that we finally made it – I’m proud I can finally wear this,” he said. “I feel pretty good.”
Arnold’s attitude – one of excitement, thanks and pride – was reflected through Friday’s ceremony.
“Commencement is a word that means beginning,” said Principal Richard Towne, Jr. “There will be a time you think everything is finished – that will be the beginning.”
“It’s a time of great change in your life,” he added. “Remember how hard you’ve worked to get here today.” Listing the sports victories, acting and singing “brilliantly” in school plays, earning honors and hours of community service, Towne encouraged students to be resilient, make good choices and work hard.
“The road you are on is yours,” he said. “Set your GPS for success.”
When valedictorian Aimee Gargano took the stage, she asked her fellow 75 classmates to close their eyes to their familiar surroundings – literally – and encouraged them to envision their future.
“You too, Grevior,” Gargano reminded her classmate, Ryan. “Imagine yourself in five, 10 or 20 years – however long it takes you to get to your goal. Whatever you see, hold on to that.”
“We can achieve our goals and be happy,” Gargano said. “Remember where you once came from. Everyone has to start somewhere – I’m grateful to say I come from Franklin.”
More student speakers took to the podium to share their gratitude for things past before they jetted off into their new, post-high school world.
“Graduation ceremonies are a time for both celebrating and giving thanks,” said senior class president Kelsey Judkins. She noted the parents, coaches and teachers who have supported her and the other seniors as they’ve gone through school.
To the school’s faculty, Judkins said, “You have helped shape us into young adults with futures ahead.”
She added to the Class of 2016 advisors, “Thank you for never giving up on us, even though we know you were thinking about it during homecoming last year.” Judkins referred to the nailbiter Franklin-Newfound football game, where the Golden Tornadoes ended in victory, 35-20.
Salutatorian Rachel Capri also thanked her teachers, friends, coaches and others for giving her “something to look forward to everyday.”
“We are definitely a family,” Capri said. Referring to a 10-day class field trip going whitewater rafting up in Caratunk, Maine, she added, “I guess having no cell phone service tends to do that.”
Referring to those family bonds, she said, “The only advice I have for this class is never forget Franklin. Everyone will always have a home to come back to.”
Franklin School Board Chairman Greg Husband commended the students for embracing their home and being active in the community. When a recent city council meeting drew extra attendees due to potential budget – and faculty – cuts for the school, a number of students showed up to speak.
“You have a special place in my heart,” Husband said. In addition to his youngest son, Kyle Adams, graduating this year, he congratulated the students on their eloquent and mature handling of that meeting.
“I listened to you speak to the mayor and the city council a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
Husband continued that the Class of 2016 has been through a lot of change, including four different superintendents, a 31 percent transfer-in rate during high school, and the Hill student withdrawal, contributing to the 50 percent of students they began school with 13 years ago who weren’t there to graduate Friday.
“You have learned an important skill to adapt and change to what’s around you,” Husband said.
Those skills will carry the students far, said class advisor Stephanie Shepard, even if they don’t quite know where they’re going.
“It’s okay to not know what you want to do for the rest of your life,” she said. “Everyone’s journey will be different but remember you began this journey together.”
Graduate Kaitlyn Sullivan took those words to heart. Sullivan said she’s taking a year off before attending community college to study management. For the next 365 days, she doesn’t have a concrete plan, but she did know she wanted to work and do some traveling.
Where?
“Wherever it takes me,” she said. In the meantime, Sullivan added, “I won’t forget I’m a Golden Tornado.”
(Elodie Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @elodie_reed.)