By Claire Svetkey :
On June 2, 2019, hundreds of parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives of the class of 2019 gathered in the BHS Field House to celebrate this year’s graduation. The BHS Symphonic Winds played “Pomp and Circumstance” as the seniors processed in, wearing maroon graduation robes and decorated mortar boards. The Senior A Cappella group sang the national anthem. Before the ceremonial reading of names and receiving of diplomas, there were four speakers.
The first, BHS principal Thomas Brow, told an anecdote about the class of 2019 as eighth graders: one boy, he recounted, managed to get a young evergreen tree stuck on the roof of Chenery Middle School, as a prank. The boy knew his actions were wrong, worked to fix the situation, and redeemed himself. Mr. Brow concluded, “It’s not the conflict that’s important, it’s how you handle it.”
Next were three student speakers: Brendan Hill, the senior class president; and the two seniors honored with the School Committee Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship, Vassilios Kaxiras and Lara Zeng. All three reflected on their high school years and offered words of encouragement and hope for the graduating class.
“Identity,” Zeng said, “comes from the people, places and experiences that have shaped us… You can’t put someone into a box.”
Hill suggested that his classmates look to the future: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because you’re part of something special.”
Following the speeches, the BHS Senior A Cappella sang “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart. Finally, the graduating seniors were called to the stage one by one to shake hands and receive their diplomas. Senior class president Brendan Hill patiently read the names of all of his classmates, who crossed the stage to loud applause, cheers, and the occasional measure of music from the band in celebration of a particularly dedicated student musician. After the very last of the alphabet had been called, senior class vice president Sri Kaushik read Hill’s name, and then the entire class of 2019 had graduated. The Symphonic Winds played Percy Grainger’s “Molly On the Shore” as the seniors and their families exited the gym to hug and take pictures on the grass outside.
As one of the student speakers, Vassilios Kaxiras, said in his speech, “Sometimes the best way to find your place in an unfamiliar world is to jump right in.” The graduating seniors will soon be doing just that. Good luck and congratulations to the class of 2019!