Class of '11 Prepared For Life After High School

Friday, May 20, marks the last day of classes for the Westborough High School Class of 2011. An ice cream social is planned for the class after an early dismissal, and the evening ends with the Senior Ball.

As the senior class prepares for graduation and life thereafter, Westborough Patch asks: What kind of kids are they? What legacy will they leave? 

In September 2007, Principal John Smith wondered about the identity of each of the classes at . As the new guy in the front office, he had something in common with the new class of freshmen. During the last four years, he and the Class of 2011 have become well acquainted.

This class is “one of the most spirited groups in terms of their cohesion with one another and support of one another," Smith said.

MaryAnn Bryant, mother of senior Patrick Bryant, agrees. “There’s a lot of cohesion. These kids are able to be wanderers. They can go from group to group. My son can go hang out with the jocks. He can hang out with the kids in the Latin Club. Everyone can go hang out and be accepting of one another.” 

Teachers, administrators and guidance counselors had nothing but praise for this year’s seniors. They commended Vanessa Bein, a compassionate, community-oriented student who held a fundraiser for a family in Westborough that suffered a tragedy last fall; Class President Diana Zeng, a superior planner and organizer; Zach Hoban and Dani Petrunich who excel in the Arts; and Brian Orlando, who is musically talented as well as athletically gifted.

Speaking specifically about the seniors on the track team, coach Roger Anderson said that they “have embraced the idea of being a part of a legacy by investing in the younger guys on the team." He also noted that “in the past four years, they have been undefeated in all but their freshman year, where they only lost one meet.”

Athletic Director Johanna DiCarlo included all senior athletes when she said, “They have consistently supported one another's athletic events, displaying some true ‘Ranger Pride.'"

This class is also a class of several firsts. They were the first fourth grade class to enter the And, in this academic year, they were the first class to have athletic events “under the lights” and to host the first .

The guidance office reports that of the 283 students that make up the senior class, 97.5 percent will be attending post-secondary education. Of that number, 2.9 percent plan to attend 2-year colleges and 94.6 percent plan to attend 4-year colleges. Students will be attending 110 of the 254 different colleges to which they were accepted. One student will be attending a college outside of the country. 

According to Assistant Principal Brian Callaghan, “they’ve demonstrated excellence all along the way.”

Principal Smith’s advice to this class is to transfer their willingness to become immersed in the high school culture and do the same for their colleges and universities. “Make that school even better – leave your mark there.”

He is sad to see these seniors go. “I’m going to miss them, but they’re ready," he said.