Dedham Graduates Told To Live In The Moment

DEDHAM, MA — It was a bit of a backward graduation at Dedham High School over the weekend. With threatening clouds in the sky Saturday afternoon, the 178 members of the Class of 2017 received their diplomas and scholarships at the top of the program, with speeches closing out the day.

But with the clouds pushing away from the football field at the high school, the seniors’ day would not be ruined and any fears of rain would be put to ease. The sense of uncertainty that proceeded struck similarities with Class President Sara Stapleton’s description of her first day of school back in 2013. The then-nervous freshman recalled walking into the high school as a student for the first time, only to feel relaxed when she say that the other ninth grade students were just as uncomfortable. Since then, her classmates and the school have become much more to her.

“Dedham High School became home to us where we would spend more time than with our families,” Stapleton said. "Life is made up of moments. Moments we’ll take for granted and moments we’ll never forget. I’ll never forget the first time I felt pride when we won the Thanksgiving game for the first time in who knows how many years or when the softball team won the South Sectional Championship in 2013.”

She concluded by telling her classmates to appreciate the joy and happiness of the last few years and prepare for their next life and adventure.

Valedictorian Veronika Melnick may not remember every lesson taught during her self-calculated 5,040 hours in the classroom, but what she will remember is the impact that her teachers, parents, and friends have had on her.

“We learned from each other. We’ve learned how to support each other in times of need. We learned to work together in team sports and have grown together as the Class of 2017. Although our brains made us go to school for education, our hearts tagged along for the community,” Melnick said.

Knowing that this would be the last time the class would be together, Melnick implored her classmates to fall in love with life, the people in it, their jobs, and everyone around them.

“Today we graduate, tomorrow let us sleep in, wake up and chase our dreams but let us not forget the yesterdays that made us a family,” she said.

An emotional and teary eye Caitlin Murphy, the class Salutatorian, said she was sad that she wouldn’t get to see her friends every day in the hallways of school, but would make every effort to stay in touch and see them again.

“Everybody dies but not everyone lives. You have one chance to experience everything life has to offer,” Murphy said.

Commencement speaker State Rep. Paul McMurtry told the graduates that new opportunities await them that will bring positive and profound differences.

“Today marks the beginning of new adventures and new challenges and the opportunity to be the best you can be. Your future is bright and holds opportunities for each of you. At the same time, the challenges ahead may be daunting and overwhelming at times, but leave today with the mindset that anything is possible,” McMurtry said.

In his final graduation as the principal of Dedham High School Ron McCarthy reminded his now former students to enjoy life.

“There are ups and downs but it really only matters how you handle them. Live in the moment. Don’t worry about the next step, enjoy today, enjoy the summer,” he said.

Image via DedhamTV