By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The Medfield High School Class of 2025’s graduation ceremony took place on Saturday, May 31, at 1 p.m. Showers and a downpour were uninvited guests, but administrators and talented student orators added brilliant sunshine to their heartfelt graduation ceremony.
The ceremony began with a moving rendition of the national anthem by Vivienne Ladd. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey J. Marsden, Medfield School Committee Member Michelle Kirby, and Principal Robert Parga each delivered stirring remarks focusing on the athletic, musical, and academic achievements of the class of 2025, while also addressing their personal qualities of resilience, inclusiveness, and perseverance.
The outstanding student speakers descriptively, clearly, and confidently addressed the future needs and concerns of their classmates, with splashes of humor added in. They are all a credit to the fabulous school system that formed them.
President of the Class of 2025 Aaron Ravech welcomed all and delivered a humorous, self-deprecating address that set the tone for the afternoon. He shared that he fell down a set of stairs at the age of four, sprang up and raised his clenched fist to proclaim, “At least I saved my cashews!” His “four-year-old mind went straight to the good news.” Aaron recommended that his classmates try to live by the “blind optimism and gratitude” of a child, saying “Next time something not-so-great happens, come up with a minimum of one ‘at least’ statement.”
Honor Essayist Silas Trotter spoke dramatically and descriptively of finding his epiphany while playing the “furiously perplexing” video game called “Getting Over It.” In the game, he had to try to climb a mountain but continually fell back down because of making one mistake or another. He learned through each misstep how to overcome difficulties and advance in the game. Trotter exhorted his classmates to “force yourself to climb” despite the difficulties life presents and to “discover what matters…carve out your place in the seemingly absurd and nonsensical world.”
Fellow Honor Essayist Shane Unger spoke humorously about the importance of looking for a positive aspect or result of a seemingly negative situation. He reminded his classmates of the proverb that went “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, he became a butterfly.” Suggesting that classmates think of adding the word “maybe” when evaluating a difficult situation or result, Unger noted that good results can come from seemingly unhappy circumstances by pushing one into an unexpected but fruitful direction.
Senior Speaker Claire Teany spoke about how she learned to take on challenges that were outside of her comfort zone each year of high school. She tried out for cheer, auditioned for a play, and is now delivering a speech at graduation, even though she had no ability or experience in doing any of these things. She also listed challenges and achievements of classmates, ending her speech with “We’ve got this, class of 2025. This roller coaster’s just getting started.”
As the students began to file across the stage, small showers grew into a true downpour. At the appropriate point in the procession, an administrator announced Eva Walsh LaRowe’s name, solemnly saying “We will always remember.” The students persevered through the rain and grief and emerged ready to take on new experiences. With their stellar high school experience behind them and a new toolbox given to them by their peers, they gratefully received congratulations and encouragement from administrators, teachers, parents, friends, and relatives.
Congratulations to Medfield High School’s Class of 2025.
