Class President Serenades at Concord-Carlisle Graduation

It was a bittersweet graduation ceremony at Concord-Carlisle High School on Saturday with the loss of two students during the year and the immenent departure of family members to college.

But along with the sadness, there were surprises and moments of comedy and grandeur as the CCHS band played stirring music and class President Zach Cutler performed a solo guitar song instead of a speech.

Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" played as the 400 or so graduates filed into the gym. An overflow crowd of parents and family members sat in the auditorium where a giant TV screen simulcasted the event.

Principal Peter Badalament said it was the 50th commencement at the regional high school.

"It's been a challenging year, with tragic losses," said Badalament referring to the two students that died. "We continue to rely on each other for support, and I am confident this community will remain strong."

On a brighter note, Badalament said every member of the class passed the MCAS test, and donated 31,966 hours of community service in the towns of Concord, Carlisle and Boston, that brings students from the city to Concord through the METCO program.

"Yours is a legacy of small things," said Badalament to the class. "We will miss you, but we are ready for you to move on. Have fun in your career and the rest will follow. You will always be with us."

Cutler said he would depart from the usual speech, and put his guitar around his neck to the roar of the crowd. His original song was about the high school years for the Class of 2010. It was a soulful and melodic tribute to the school.

The class gift was a "significant donation" to a nonprofit organization that deals with families in stress, depression and suicide awareness.

Retiring teacher Robert Furey said he had attended 42 CCHS graduations and he was "ambivalent" about it.

"It is important to recognize their achievements, but something makes it hard to say goodbye," said Furey, who said he graduated from high school 50 years ago on June 12.

He will teach part-time next year, but officially retired from the school. During his speech, he recounted the 10 years after his graduation during the 1960s and early 1970s and the events that shaped his generation: Vietnam, Woodstock, the Kennedy and King accomplishments and assassinations, and more.

Furey said technology had changed dramatically since he was younger.

"How many of you would rather text than talk on the phone?" he asked as scores of hands went into the air and laughter filled the gym.

"How many of you are texting right now?" he asked, as dozens of hands were raised.

"How many of you are texting the person next to you" he continued, as fewer hands went up.

Furey said the school taught the students "how to understand and communicate with the world."

Superintendent Diana Rigby presented the John Donovan Flag Awards to Celeste Hall, Julia Hisey, Katie Miller and Jack Delehey.

Delehey also won the Arthur Dulong Award for leadership.

The Claire Day Scholarship went to Emily Balmuth-Loris. Aletha Smith, Julie Yen and Doug Chan won faculty medals.

After the students switched the tassels on their caps, Badalament pronounced them graduates of Concord-Carlisle and the crowd erupted in a joyous celebration.