Memories of Fallen Classmates Inspire Foxborough High Class of 2015

Sam Berns may not have been at graduation Sunday, but his legacy was an inspiration for the 140th Foxborough High School graduating class.

With the Berns quote “Being brave isn’t suppose to be easy, but it’s the key to moving forward,” behind the podium at the field bearing his name, his classmates that make up the Foxborough High School Class of 2015 said goodbye to high school during the school’s graduation ceremony.

Rather than give her traditional remarks, Superintendent Debra Spinelli chose Liz Holmes to give a speech based on live lessons and legacy of Berns and what he stood for. Homes was chosen after the superintendent allowed students to submit a speech to speak during the ceremony.

“(Sam) opened our eyes and hearts and showed us there can be a beautiful balance of maturity and fun all while radiating positivity,” Holmes said.

During her speech, Holmes recounted her first days in Foxborough as a new student and reflected on her four years at the high school and the friends that would surround her.

“When I moved to Foxborough, I was welcomed with open arms into an inviting community. The positive and optimistic people I met motivated me to find beauty in this new situation,” she said. “These four years have shown me adversity and joy while giving me strength and happiness.”

In her speech on the choices her classmates will make in the future, Class President Kayla Sepe said Berns was a perfect example of someone who made positive choices despite the cards life dealt him.

“Be strong and live life to the fullest. He showed all of us that no matter how tough life can be and will get, your happiness and future is largely dependent on the choices you make and no one else will make,” Sepe said.

Class Valedictorian Devan Tierney paid tribute to Berns and Rosy Shatz, a member of the class who was tragically killed at the age of 10 in a bike accident in 2006.

“Sam was an inspiration to all of us and will keep him in our hearts and memories for the rest of our lives. Sam tried to be the best person he could be and I cannot begin to explain how fortunate we are to live much of our young lives in his presence,” he said “While I didn’t get to know Rosy, I was told she was an incredible, kind, and warming individual.”

Tierney went on to praise the class for their love of Foxborough citing their participation in Foxborough Clean Up Day; support for the high school’s sports team; the world-class music program; and spirit weeks,

“We celebrate together, we grieve together, we work together, we play together. We are all one body,” Tierney said.

Known for their talent; humor; and love for each other, it is unlikely the Class of 2015 will be lost to the sands of time anytime soon because for all the graduates learned, their teachers and the Foxborough schools staff learned just as much from them.

“You are unforgettable. We love you, we love everything about you. Superintendent Debra Spinelli told the graduates. “Always remember what you taught us so well: relationships are everything.”

Photo Credit: Submitted