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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
For the past four years, Wellesley High School’s seniors have shared memories of walking the halls together, going to class with one another, and bonding during extracurricular activities. The time has come, though, for the class of 2018 to part ways. Before they head off across the world to continue their studies, join the military, start a career, or travel, the seniors got together for one last hurrah: graduation.
On June 1, the students, glowing in their red caps and gowns, walked onto Hunnewell Field for the last time as high school students while the Wellesley High School band performed.
After the senior chorus performed the National Anthem, Class President Abigail Silverstein welcomed all to the one hundred and forty ninth graduation exercises at Wellesley High School. Class Vice President Adam DeLollis presented the senior class gift, and senior class speaker, Christie Yu, urged her classmates to use their knowledge and skills from Wellesley High School to become informed and active citizens.
Class President Abigail Silverstein gives her farewell speech to the class of 2018. Photos by Laura Drinan
Dr. Jamie Chisum, Principal of Wellesley High School, told the audience an anecdote about his daughter asking for the time every evening after dinner. He realized that his daughter was not necessarily asking what time it was, but how much time she had to play before bed.
He advised Wellesley’s class of 2018 to go forth with their lives, thinking more about questions rather than their answers.
“I think too much time in high school is spent trying to figure out the answers – answers to the test, to the homework, to the problem,” Dr. Chisum said. “We want to solve problems. What happens when you focus on the question, though, is something different.”
He told the soon-to-be graduates that focusing on the question, rather than the answer, means that they must think critically about life.
After the senior chorus tearfully finished their final song, “I Was Here,” Dr. David Lussier, whose own daughter was graduating with the class of 2018, offered the students some thoughts of his own. Dr. Lussier outlined the ideas of passion, civility, and care, and urged the students to continue exploring new passions, to be a little less judgmental, and to open the door of opportunity to others.
The class of 2018 gives their parents, their most important educators in life, a standing ovation. Photos by Laura Drinan
“Learn to take care of yourself,” he advised the students, “so you are in a position to reach back and help those around you. We are all in this thing called life together. So, that’s it. Passion, civility, and caring; three simple ideas that I hope you’ll hold onto as you leave this field tonight.”
And as the students left Hunnewell Field with their diplomas in their hands and grins on their tear-streaked faces, the Wellesley High graduates began a new chapter with happy high school memories and the reminder to bring passion, civility, and care to their future endeavors.
