Schools

Stoughton High School Graduates Class of 2012

Stoughton High held its 143rd Commencement Exercises on Thursday, June 7.

The more than 250 members of the gathered in the Thursday evening, June 7, along with family, friends, faculty and administration for the School's 143rd Commencement Exercises.

And while most in the room would have preferred to have been on the football field for an outdoor graduation, the rainy weather and change of venue did not dampen the celebration.

Two-hundred and fifty-six (256) students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, capping their high school careers.

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Of the 256, about 89 percent will be continuing their education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marguerite Rizzi said - 66 percent at a four-year college; 20 percent at a two-year college; and 3 percent at a technical school. Three students will be entering the armed forces - one each in the Marines, Army and Navy - and 13 graduates will be entering the workforce.

Dr. Rizzi said a "staggering" $160,150 had been awarded to the graduates in local scholarship money, a total that received a "huge infusion" from the generosity of the Prone Family Foundation.

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In addition to Dr. Rizzi, Principal Matt Colantonio, Senior Class President Kasey Derochea, Valedictorian Kevin Roopcharan, Student Council President Mitchell Price, School Committee member Joyce Husseini and Interim Town Manager Joseph D. Feaster, Jr. addressed the graduates.

Danisha Durmonay performed the National Anthem and Class Treasurer Malykah Lopes recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

In her address, Derochea spoke of the "range of emotions" she was feeling in regards to graduating from high school.

"I feel sad to be leaving behind the place where I met my best friends and where I was inspired to reach my highest goals," she said.

"I feel afraid to move on to a new world outside of the comfort of this school and this community. I feel excited to enjoy one final summer with the people who helped shape my teenaged years, but most importantly I feel proud," Derochea continued.

"I feel proud to be part of such a great group of people who through the ups and downs have supported one another unconditionally. I feel proud that we all made it to today no matter how hard it was to get here."

Colantonio said it was a "pleasure" and "honor" to serve as the Class of 2012's principal for the past two years.

"You are a great group of young men and women," he said. "You have represented your school and your town with dignity and respect in a variety of locations and venues and audiences."

Using a bit of humor, Colantonio spoke of how a graduation represents both an end, and, at the same time, a beginning.

"I remember Senior Week - the Hawaiian Day - talking to a fine young man in a grass skirt and a coconut top. We were saying 'aloha' to one another and I asked if he knew that aloha means both hello and goodbye in Hawaiian. He did indeed know that and we both agreed it was perfect for the moment," Colantonio said.

"You are saying goodbye today to your life as a student in the Stoughton Public Schools, a familiar and comfortable life. You are also saying hello to your next phase, to the great adventure, to your future. "

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Take a look at photos from graduation (courtesy Suzanne Jolley) in the media gallery. A full graduation photo gallery with dozens of images will be posted in the coming days.


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