School: Stonington High School

Number of graduates: 129

Ceremony location: Stonington High School, Donald E. Palmer Field

Class President Burton Corley: “The future is largely uncertain. One thing we can count on, however, is that we will be challenged. No matter our paths, there will be mistakes and setbacks. lt is important to accept this fact because "That's Life." Alongside these challenges, there will be plenty of amazing moments to treasure: landing that dream job, making wonderful new friends, and discovering new interests. Now, while we are young, is the perfect time to go out and try everything we can. This world is filled with so many opportunities. lt is often necessary to do things that seem difficult and make us uncomfortable before we can grow as people”

Commencement Speaker, Retiring West Vine Street School Principal Kathryn Irvine: “Think of those who support you, uplift you, and challenge you to be your best self. Your family, your friends, coaches, counselors and teachers who didn’t let you give up. These people are your biggest fans. Cherish them. Tell them how much they mean to you. Show up for them. If they are here tonight, be sure to thank them. They are your anchors and your support system. There will be nothing more important in your life than the gift of your people.”

Salutatorian Angelina Williams: “It's traditional in graduation speeches to share words of advice, but I don't feel entirely qualified to do so. lnstead, I think it would be more fitting to pass on guidance from math teacher Mrs. Defanti. She always emphasizes how every one of us has something to offer, and sometimes in unexpected ways. A student who fails calculus may turn out to be an excellent mechanic. Someone who struggles in English could excel in music. Whatever path we take - doctors, lawyers, artists, electricians, members of the military - we can help those around us. So find your talent, and use it to give others the same support that we've been given.”

Valedictorian Liam Keon Haghpassand: “The odds of us living, the odds of getting the opportunity to exist, are pretty much zero. From Earth being able to sustain life at all to you specifically, out of the trillions of combinations of genes, being born, every single one of your ancestral grandparents avoided getting mauled by bears to live long enough so that eventually, you would be born. Of all the people who could ever have existed most never will. And the point I'm getting to here is that as we all go forward we're going to have to deal with bills, maybe start families, and l'm sure some of us might find ourselves in some corporate ladder or a job we don't like, whatever it is. lt's going to be easy to lose perspective and forget how lucky we are to exist at all. So don't take anything too seriously and don't let anything or anyone get in the way of taking advantage of this unbelievably unlikely chance.”

Highlights: The class gift is a a new Stonington Bear mascot costume.