IMAGE GALLERY: WHS Seniors Celebrate Their Class at Baccalaureate Ceremony

It was an intimate evening of music, musings, laughter, tears and nostalgia as the class of 2011 celebrated Baccalaureate Night at . The festivities opened to a powerful and impressive orchestral score entitled Vanquish, directed and composed by senior Evan Cadavieco. The crowd responded with a standing ovation. Senior Class President Diana Zeng then welcomed her class and their families.

“Tomorrow we will be celebrating our new futures. But tonight we will take a moment to look back at our years together at Westborough and all of our accomplishments. Athletics, music, academics have all shaped us to who we are. But it’s been the people who have really made our time together so special,” said Zheng.

The evening showcased many of these talented class members through vocal and instrumental performances, reflective essays and multimedia.

Salutatorian Ron Farizon and band members William Kajos, Brian Orlando and Zachary Hoban .

“It’s a great song,” Farizon said. “I thought it would move a couple of moms to tears. That’s what we’re really going for,” he said.

Emotions ran high as students reminisced about their friendships together, not only at Westborough High School but going back to their time together in elementary school at and recalled by seniors Mary McDermott and Heather Martin. Laughter prevailed as the seniors reminisced about elementary school projects, performances, field trips, dress-up days, recess and popsicles.

But it was their high school memories that the class spent most of its time recalling and honoring. Speakers emphasized the unity of their class that went beyond any particular group or extracurricular interest.

The evening ended with a masterful Senior Movie produced by Elizabeth Callahan that poked fun at a variety of subjects, including “senioritis,” the school pool, the “Fleet Center,” student parking faux paus the mysterious suspended doors. The audience cheered and laughed at the entertaining film, in which Callahan assured the audience that every senior appeared at some point.

Rachel Bridge, senior class vice president, thanked the teachers and parents for shaping the senior class into the special class it is. “It has been a true privilege to live and learn in this town, and even though many of us will be leaving this fall, Westborough will still be our home,” she said.