Congratulations to the CCHS Class of 2013

Despite being stuck indoors, Concord-Carlisle High School sent its Class of 2013 off in style on Saturday, June 8, with memorble commencement ceremony that saw the principal cite both Nelson Mandela and Conan O'Brien and the faculty speaker crack a joke about strippers.

"We need you now more than ever," said CCHS Principal Peter Badalament to his graduating class. "You are our next generation."

Quoting from the odd couple of Mandela and O'Brien, the principal urged his former students to "be courageous" and avoid being cyincal.

Commencement speaker Eric Pohl, a foreign languages teacher also known as "Señor Pohl," more or less opened with a joke that you'll just have to hear -- which, incidentally, you can do by clicking on the video posted above -- before getting into his address for which "nothing ventured, nothing gained" was a central theme.

Like Badalament, Pohl encouraged the Class of 2013 to become leaders for the next generation.

"Our job was to light the spark," said Pohl. ""Your charge is to go forth and illuminate the future."

Check back with Patch over the next few days. We'll have more videos and coverage from the CCHS Class of 2013 commencement.