"Accomplished, Amazing" Foxborough High Seniors Graduate

FOXBOROUGH, MA - For as cloudy and gloomy as it was outside, it was just as bright and cheerful inside Foxborough High School for the school’s 141st graduation ceremony.

The bittersweet commencement served not only as a farewell for the Class of 2016 but as a tribute for the late Joe Heinricher, who was slated to retire at the end of this school year.

As class president Eliza Alden told the packed FHS gymnasium, Heinricher initially announced his retirement as vice principal to their class, choosing to leave with the school’s newest graduates.

“He said he chose to retire with us because he saw the potential in this class. He created relationships with many and never failed to see the potential each one of us had. He showed us how to value our education and have fun along the way,” Alden said

Calling the student a “very accomplished and amazing class,” Superintendent Debra Spinelli remarked that the students may remember only two or three words from her speech. With that in mind, Spinelli focused on a few words of advice that included - change before you have to, speak from your heart, be the leader you’d love to have, and life rewards action and not indecision.

School Committee Chairperson Tina Belanger reflected on how it wasn’t too long that the students were on the bus to kindergarten, 2,344 days to be exact.

“For your parents it’s certainly bittersweet as they remember the kindergartner you were and marveling at the fine men and women you are now,” Belanger said.

The head of the school committee also passed on the advice of her high school principal.

“Be kind to one another and have a nice day. This daily reminder has stayed with me my entire life,” she said.

In the second student speech, valedictorian Abigail Space touched on the growth of the class and her grade.

“Both as individuals and as a class we’ve grown so much and had a positive impact. We’ve transformed in the ways that mattered. We’ve gone from tolerating our differences to celebrating them,” she said.

Like Alden, Space took a moment to remember Heinricher, reflect how the class rallied around each other in a time of sadness.

“I know as vice principal he was suppose to be a scary figure but he was everyone’s friend. He just wanted what was best for the student. I think that through these struggles we came stronger and we’ll carry the spirit of optimism of those we’ve lost for the rest of our lives,” she said.

The Foxborough High School Class of 2016 consisted of 232 students.

Image credit: Foxborough Cable Access