98 High School Graduates Celebrate at Ryan Center

Hundreds of family and friends came to see 98 students from Narragansett High School receive their diplomas on Thursday night at the Ryan Center. 

Students dressed in both red and white gowns clapped and cheered as students, staff, and faculty were acknowledged throughout the evening. 

Twins Olivia and Ana DiPrete, valedictorian and salutatorian, gave a passionate joint speech in which they encouraged their fellow graduating seniors to create a balance between work and fun in the days ahead of them. 

The night continued as a group of students performed a spirited rendition of “Dancing in the Street” as the senior song for their class. 

At the close of the night, caps were thrown into the air just after Senior Class Co-Vice President Kiani Carroll led her fellow graduates in moving their tassel from one side of their caps to the other. 

Hugs, high-fives, and handshakes took place as friends and families met up with the graduates after the ceremony was finished. 

“It was an excellent ceremony,” graduating senior Nathan Procaccini said. “The whole night really reflected the merits of both the graduates and Narragansett high school.”

Fellow graduate Anna Kyle agreed with Procaccini. 

“The speeches really showed what the class of 2011 is all about,” Kyle said. 

For class president Ryan Field, his favorite part of the evening was giving his own speech recognizing class advisor David Cannon. 

“While giving my speech from the stage, I got to see my whole class, which was the most rewarding part of the entire night,” Field said. 

Mary Ellen Keiser, a teacher at the high school, is thankful for the community that brought up the students who graduated. 

“We have such a wonderful close-knit community,” Kesier said. “Even though it’s small, by the time students get through high school, they all know each other and it’s wonderful.”

Family and friends alike were full of smiles and laughter as they walked out of the graduation ceremony. 

“They are all such a great group of kids and we’re all very proud of them,” said Jenn Robinson, a cousin to a graduate. “They have done so much hard work to get to this point.”

Jim Sheil, the uncle of graduate John Sheil, said the night was very memorable for him. 

“It was all wonderful because they are all such a great group of kids with lots of energy,” Sheil said. 

Steve Vincelette saw the night as a turning point in the life of Julia, his daughter that was graduating. 

“Tonight was very emotional for me but it was great to see the kids moving onto the next step,” Vincelette said. “For now, we, as parents, have done our job.”

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