The Class Of 2019 Graduates From Minuteman High School

In photo, Principal Jack Dillon is at the podium with Superintendent-Director Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon seated at right. Photo by Prestige Portraits.

By Judy Bass

LOWELL – With a flurry of goodbyes and heartfelt expressions of gratitude to parents, teachers and friends, 115 members of the Class of 2019 graduated from Minuteman High School in commencement exercises held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium on June 7.

The event marked a milestone for the school itself, as well as the students, because this is the last graduating class to occupy the old Minuteman High School building. A new, state-of-the-art, $145 million Minuteman High School is scheduled to open in less than three months.

Minuteman Superintendent Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon addressed the graduates about the importance of making choices rather than “overthinking” and settling for the status quo by default. Referring to Robert Frost’s classic poem, “The Road Not Taken,” which he said is taped to his office wall, Dr. Bouquillon urged the graduates to “choose and go forward, choose and choose purposefully.”

In her own speech to the Class of 2019, Co-Valedictorian Sophia Li of Acton cited many accomplishments that she takes pride in during her time at Minuteman, yet she rued the chances she had which she let go by. “[T]here are also regrets for opportunities I passed up. Each new stage of our lives, we are given new opportunities. Opportunities to start over, to improve ourselves, or to learn new skills. I have learned that accepting opportunities, even when they seem out of my comfort zone or skill, can lead to great accomplishments.”

Co-Valedictorian Jordan Mills of Waltham encapsulated the advice she offered to her fellow grads this way: “So, stand out, believe in yourselves, ask questions, and most of all, be kind. Rock on Class of 2019!”

Yet another speaker echoed the theme of choice. Class President Amanda Sullivan of Arlington said, “I think back to freshman year when everything was new and uncertain and we all had to make choices to determine what we would do next. Who we were gonna sit with in the café, what classes we were gonna take, and who we should try to become friends with. Here we are again having to make new choices and decisions, some of which we may face with uncertainty. As we start a new chapter in our lives I like to think of us all as snakes. Shedding our skin and moving forward to bigger and better places.”

Salutatorian Tyler Ferrin of Tewksbury believes that the members of the Class of 2019 today will be the dynamos of tomorrow. “We have a voice that is loud, and we are unafraid to use it. When we work together to use that voice and take action, we can accomplish just about anything, and after spending these past four years with all of you, I know we will.”

Following a performance of the National Anthem performed by the Minuteman Chorus directed by Richard J. Tuttle, (they also performed “Say Goodnight, Not Goodbye” later in the program), awards and scholarships were presented by Supt. Bouquillon, Scholarship Committee Chair Diane Dempsey, Principal Jack Dillon, English Department Chair Greg Donovan, and Director of Career and Technical Education Michelle Roche.

The presentation of diplomas was done by Minuteman School Committee members James Gammill (Belmont), Chair David Horton (Lexington), David O’Connor (Bolton) and Ford Spalding (Dover). They were assisted by Principal Dillon, Assistant Principal Brian Tildsley, Ms. Roche and Environmental Science Teacher Terry Regan.

The senior class faculty advisors were Ms. Erin Bordeau and Ms. Beth Nardone.

Students currently in the 8th or 9th grade in any member town may apply to Minuteman High School for the fall 2019, but will be placed on a waiting list. Applications for admission were higher than expected. Please visit www.minuteman.org and go to the Admissions tab on the home page.

Minuteman’s new facility has been designed to support a robust college and career academy model. The academy model was adopted by staff and administration to create smaller “schools within a school” thereby promoting more personalized learning founded upon close relationships between students and teachers. The Minuteman college and career academy model integrates rigorous academics with relevant technical programming in occupational areas providing individual economic opportunity. The new building will accommodate project-based learning across disciplines, requiring students to learn how to work on a diverse team, solve problems and think critically. These are essential 21st-century skills that students practice and apply in a variety of school-based and work-based environments.

As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman inspires all students to attain their full potential, accelerate their learning, and become purposeful citizens in the global community.