Schools
Concord-Carlisle High School Marks 2011 Graduation
CCHS students look back and look ahead during weekend ceremony.
Their class year has been carved into The Hill behind the school, all the awards and scholarships have been handed down, the caps have been tossed – for the Concord-Carlisle Class of 2011, it's graduation time; time to move on.
This weekend's graduation ceremony went off without a hitch as CCHS honored its 308 graduating seniors. Principal Peter Badalament kicked things off with his congratulatory speech, then handed the reigns to Class President Alexandra Ting who reminisced and congratulated her peers on their final year.
Next, the gift presentation by Vice-President of the Senior Class Will Moss, Secretary Jamie Potter and Treasurer Sophie Spires honored the juniors with a token of their appreciation. Lily Gordon, vice president of the junior class, accepted the honor.
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One of the highlights of the event came next as teacher Michael Goodwin took to the podium and delivered a soaring final address to the seniors that covered everything from bird watching to the art work of Hieronymus Bosch.
“If we are to remain life-long students, as we should be, we must identify the obstacles before us in order to overcome them,” said Goodwin. “Your convictions will be challenged by your experiences.”
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The John F. Donovan Memorial Flag Awards, two special prizes given to the best all-around male and female graduates, were then given out. The recipients were David Blaides and Margaret Waterman.
Superintendent of Schools Diana F. Rigby followed with a congratulatory speech on behalf of the administration of CCHS in which she explained simply, “Take a chance, fear not, do what you love and do good.”
Faculty Gold Medals were then handed down to several students, including the special presentation of the Arthur DuLong Leadership Award (given to one student who shows both superior academic and athletic skills); this year's winner was Jamie Potter.
From here, the diplomas were issued, the caps flew and the Concord-Carlisle Class of 2011 walked out of the gym and into their futures.
