The Class of 2026 graduated on Friday, June 5, at Westford Academy’s Trustees Field, marking a successful conclusion to their high school career. Unlike previous years, the weather for graduation was pristine, and the class graduated on schedule.
The weather matched the spirits of the graduates as they entered the field. They were followed by the sounds of the WA Band, conducted by band teacher Adam Shekleton, playing beside the stage.
Before the ceremony began, principal Dan Twomey asked the crowd to join him in a moment of silence to remember Class of 2025 graduate Leanora Murray who recently passed away. The singing of the national anthem by the WA chorus conducted by Karen St. George followed suit.
Twomey then began the ceremony, welcoming family, friends, and graduates, and thanking the staff members who helped make this ceremony possible. He then went on to acknowledge two retirees: physical education teacher Maria Henderson and artistic director and Class of 2026 adviser Michael Towers.
Twomey proceeded to discuss the Alma Mater and emphasized the importance to the graduating class and their actions in the future.
“Class of 2026, […] the education, guidance, and support you received wasn’t just an exercise of going through the motions or doing school,” Twomey said. “It was an investment in you by the Westford Public Schools staff, your families, and this town, and now, you owe a return. And the only way to pay it back is through how you conduct yourself after WA.”
Twomey discussed the responsibility that the class of 2026 holds on their shoulders: carrying on WA’s core values to wherever they go next.
After Twomey’s opening remarks, he welcomed the Class of 2026’s class officers to the stage: president Kate Kelly, vice president Peter Burns, secretary Joanna Finney, and treasurer Srisai Vuppuluri.
Vuppuluri started by thanking the class’ dean, Amanda Welch, for the support she gave to every student.
“While we are graduating and moving into a new part of our lives, the impact you have made will stay with us for years to come,” Vuppuluri said. “I know looking forward, after we have forgotten our schedules and our grades, we will remember the people who made us feel special and heard.”
Following Vuppuluri’s remarks, Finney thanked one of the class advisers, health teacher Melanie Jozokos. Finney spoke about Jozokos and the constant support and attention she gave to the graduating class, honoring her with the award of “class mom”.
“The philosopher Simone Weil once said that attention is the purest form of generosity. If that is true, then Mrs. J, you have been one of the most generous people we have ever known,” Finney said.
Burns then spoke about Towers and his impact on the class, his connection with the entire Westford community, and the sacrifices he had made for the Class of 2026.
“’The end is the second most important part of anything’, I learned that from Mr. Towers. As we end our time here at WA Mr. Towers, we wanted to say thank you for making it so special […]. Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it more than anyone,” Burns said.
As the officers exited the stage, the chorus sang the Alma Mater.
Upon the song’s conclusion, class speaker Shaivi Shah walked to the podium. She spoke of the graduating class and their journey of realization about reality through the comparison of the battery percentage on your phone as the day goes on.
“Most importantly, we learned that low battery doesn’t mean low potential. It means focusing your energy on what matters most,” Shah said. “And when we joked about running on empty, the truth is, we spent these years charging ourselves in ways that don’t show up as a little percentage number on an icon.”
As Shah walked off stage, Twomey took to the podium once again and called up WA Trustees Kevin and Paul McMillan to hand out the Academic Excellence and Most Worthy Representative awards, given to students who particularly stood out for their hard work and triumphs.
Finally, before the presentation of diplomas began, superintendent Dr. Christopher Chew took over to make his congratulatory remarks. He spoke of elementary and middle school, and at one point or another, nearly every senior in the crowd raised their hands, whether if it was in regards to if they went to Blanchard or Stony Brook Middle School, or Nabnasset, Crisafulli, Miller, or Day. He also acknowledged any students who attended WA who did not go to one of the aforementioned schools.
“Your experiences transitioning to all of our schools have helped shape you into who you are today,” Chew said. “Just as you have helped shaped the environments of all our schools. While your teachers have had impacts on you, you have all had impacts on them as well.”
After this, the presentation of diplomas began, with student after student coming up to the stage as their name was called. This was then followed by the class song, a rendition of “Home” by Phillip Phillips, presented by members of the Class of 2026.
Finally, Kelly presented the closing remarks, which revolved around eighth grade letters many students wrote to their future selves and how much they have grown.
“Know that you have the power to shape the world around you,” Kelly said. “You have the power to turn four walls and a bunch of classrooms into a home. Your presence is capable of extraordinary things, when you lead with love and compassion.”
And as the last remarks were spoken, Kelly flipped her tassel on her cap and threw it into the air, followed by the 347 other graduates from the Class of 2026.
