By Ciara Barstow
Staff Writer
On Friday June 5th, the weather forecast had predicted possible showers, little to no sun, and overall an unpleasant day. However, nature came around for the senior class of 2015 and welcomed the graduation ceremony with weather that couldn’t have been better.
Held in the alumni stadium at Westford Academy, the ceremony was kicked off with jaunty tunes from the WA band, which set the mood for the friends, family, relatives, and peers of the seniors as they congregated in wait of the graduates.
Dressed in their robes, the faculty and staff of the school slowly marched to their seats in tradition. Shortly after, the senior class made its way towards their seats, cheered on by friends and family in the audience. Welcomed by “Pomp and Circumstance” and other spectacular pieces performed by the WA band, the seniors settled in for the speeches of their administrators and peers.
Principal James Antonelli opened the ceremonies with introductions and acknowledgements of faculty and staff. He then continued to provide the seniors with insight into the importance of mindfulness, passion, health, knowledge, and golf.
Antonelli wrapped up his welcome with the statement to the graduates, “you are wonderful and I am proud.”
Guidance Counselor Wendy Pechacek introduced the salutatorian, Justin Yao and shared a speech with a description of his overall character and accomplishments. Guidane Counselor Jill Karatkewicz introduced the valedictorian, Michael Meagher, who encouraged his peers to “keep learning,” as their educational experiences were far from over. He described some of the things the class learned in their high school time, “about our world and about ourselves and as of now I don’t know which is more important.”
Class officers Jack Leeber, Thea Lacerte, Karun Kannan, and Madeline Seraphin made special presentations thanking key figures in their educational careers.
The alma mater of the school, sung by the WA Advanced Choir, was followed up by a heart-lifting speech by the class speaker, Julia Kinney. Kinney described the days of celebration in comparison to those leading up to them, the day of graduation being just another reward. “We shared this,” she said.
Special awards were given out to the classes, which contained a commemorative plaque and pride. Some of the receivers included Kathleen McAleese, Jack Leeber, Michael Meagher, Ryan Bell, Brandon Wang, Lily Hitelman, Kelly Chung, Katherine Satko, Alice Watkins, Kelly Bray, Thomas Mitstock, Edward Wang, Alex Cheng, and Matthew Bunyon.
Superintendent Bill Olsen spoke next, commemorating Gina Noble for her enlisting in the U.S. Navy, and reminding the graduates that the key to unlocking power, ideals, and understanding of fundamental principles was inside of each of them.
The deans and faculty then began to announce the names of all the graduates. One by one, they were called up to the stage to receive their diplomas as they were cheered on by friends and family in the audience.
The class songs “Back Home” by Andy Grammer and “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root were sang by members of the class, and beach balls were tossed into the crowd of graduates.
The ceremony was closed by final words from class president Jack Leeber, who began his remarks by taking a selfie in front of his class. He thanked the class officers and said his final farewell to the class of 2015. Leeber invited his fellow class officers to the stage alongside him, as they had been together since the beginning.
Together, they threw their caps into the sky and were followed by all of their fellow graduates.
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