Class of 2016 graduates from Blue Hills Regional Technical School

“We set the stage for your next act,” Superintendent James P. Quaglia tells 190 graduates

By Judy Bass

Even ominously dark skies and the possibility of stormy weather couldn’t diminish the enthusiasm of 190 members of the Class of 2016 from Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton who graduated on June 7.

Amid the bittersweet farewells and parting words of wisdom were many jubilant hugs and handshakes as the graduates bade goodbye to each other and to the school that has been their second home for four eventful years.

The commencement exercises, held outdoors in back of the Blue Hills Regional building, were attended by hundreds of family members, school staff, and members of the Blue Hills Regional District School Committee including Chairman Charles W. Flahive (Westwood), Vice Chair Marybeth Nearen (Randolph), Aidan G. Maguire, Jr. ‘79 (Canton), whose son, Gregory, was among the graduates, Secretary Thomas R. Polito, Jr. (Dedham), Eric C. Erskine ’81 (Braintree), and Kevin L. Connolly (Norwood).

Superintendent James P. Quaglia told the grads, “In the big theater of life, we are all each other’s audience. What we really did for you here at BHR is set the stage for your next act.”

Valedictorian Chloe Belanger of Norwood spoke of what could be called that “next act” when she said in her address, “Take chances and allow yourself to experience new things even as you strive for excellence. Don’t allow silly things like fear and doubt to stop you from discovering what it is you like and what it is you love, what you’ll never want to do again and what you’ll want to do for the rest of your life….”

Class President Kimberly Sian of Holbrook gave a speech that was lyrical in its beautiful language. She delivered it with confident flair. “It’s time to become what we were always meant to be, maybe what our hearts were always calling us for - to go for our dreams.” Referring with optimism to the future, Ms. Sian said, “A farewell means that something is coming to an end, but for something to end means that there is room for something new to begin.”

Class Treasurer Emma Mayo of Milton presented Superintendent Quaglia with the class gift, a tree symbolizing the evolution of the individuals in the Class of 2016. “Like branches on a tree,” she said, “we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one right here at Blue Hills.”

Chairman Flahive offered his own advice to the graduates – love what you do, have fun, seize opportunities, learn from role models, be a good listener, make sound decisions, and quoting from Abraham Lincoln, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Principal Jill Rossetti, who was master of ceremonies for the occasion, closed out the event by reminiscing about the past four years and characterizing the Class of 2016: “May you never lose the rambunctious attitude that makes this class so endearing. And may the fire of learning kindled at Blue Hills always burn brightly in your hearts and minds.”