Hingham High School Class of 2012 Graduates

They are athletes, dancers,  artists,  actors, volunteers, musicians  and scholars and most of all they are all friends.  saw a total of 271 students from the class of 2012  graduate on Saturday evening.

From the ovation given to each student that received their diploma, to hugs and cigars shared by students after it was over, it appeared evident that this 2012 senior class was truly close.

Saturday’s ceremony became emotional when student speaker, Kevin Minassian took the stage.

Minassian who will attend New England College in New Hampshire this Fall, told his fellow students to be grateful for life- something that he has always been after his mother went missing in the summer of 1996. Minassian described how a car accident on Halloween 1995 left  his mother, Patricia with brain damage which led to severe depression. He detailed the struggles she dealt with until one day, she put her son, only 2 years-old at the time, to bed, and left the house in the family’s car. The car was found days later at Cahoon Beach in Wellfleet and she was never seen again.

Through this experience, Minassian said he learned numerous lessons, one of which is to never take anyone for granted.

“Another lesson I learned is to treat every goodbye as if it is the last, because you honestly do not know if it will be the last time you see them,” he said.  "That’s is why often times you would see me giving my friends countless hugs throughout the school day.”

The senior acknowledged that life is fragile and reminded students of the tragic death of and how quickly life can be taken. He advised seniors to be proud and thankful, and to be the best versions of themselves as they could possibly be.

“I know that many graduation speeches focus on the tomorrow, what’s ahead, the future. However, I am here to remind you to be grateful for today,” he said.  “Count your blessings not your problems.”

While Minassian focused on the value of living,  Hingham High School Principal Dr. Paula Girouard-McCann encouraged seniors that they are ready for the next challenges in life.

Quoting  Henry Kissinger,  Dr. Girouard-McCann said " ‘Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem’ " and advised students that their diplomas are their ticket to many more problems and challenges ahead.

“I hope the education you received at Hingham High and the relationship you developed, the experiences to which you had, and the life lessons you learned, will help you continue to succeed and help you move on to that next challenge,” she said.

One present challenge that students recognized was senior hockey captain ’s battle with cancer.  When Gordon received his diploma on Saturday, he received a standing ovation from his classmates.

As it showed on Saturday from the support and compassion each student showed for one another, School Committee Chair Caryl Falvey told it best by saying the greatest thing the class had done was being kind to one another.

“Thank you for working hard in the classroom… thank you for the all-out community service you performed… thank you for representing Hingham on the fields, around the track in the gym and on the ice… most importantly, thank you for taking care of each other,” she said.  “Your compassion and support for each other through life’s ups and downs is refreshing and inspiring.”

For a full photo gallery of Saturday's graduation,

For a list of all the graduates,