Congratulations, Class of 2016!

On June 8 the 2016 Class of Medford High School and the Medford Vocational Technical High School graduated at the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center at Tufts University. 314 students received diplomas. Present at the ceremony, included Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, and School Committee Members Erin DiBenedetto, Robert Emmet Skerry, Jr., Ann Marie Cugno, Kathy Kreatz, Mea Mustone, and Paulette Van der Kloot. Also in attendance, Dr. Heidi Riccio, Principal/Director of the Medford Vocational Technical High School and Ms. Jill Sawyer, Assistant Director/Assistant Principal of the Medford Vocational Technical High School, the Assistant Principal for the class, Nicholas Tucci, Assistant Principal David Blauch and Freshmen/Junior Assistant Principal Gale Treanor, as well as the Class Advisors: Lauren Alessandro, Kimberly Clinton, Maria D’Orsi and Nicole Sanford. MHS Class Officers: President Vanessa Liu, Vice President Shaima Azam, Secretary Alexis Serino and Treasurer Rose Smith, and MVTHS Class Officers: President Ketty Toussaint, Vice President Haley Jackson, Secretary/Treasurer Victoria Rinaldi.

Dr. John Perella, Headmaster of Medford High School opened the ceremony, stating that this class began when he did, and so they learned together and found their own paths together. “You challenged me every day. You kept it fun. You had the power and magic of collaboration, as well as, creative and critical thinking that helped to make this high school the very best. As you leave, I feel pride like a father figure. Realize that your next wonderful expedition begins and I will forever be your headmaster”.

Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, delivering her first graduation address, applauded the students for coming together after the Boston Marathon Bombings. “You made sure after the horrors of that fateful day, that Medford would never forget one of our own, Krystle Campbell. You brought the community together for a positive discussion over the misunderstanding about National Hijab Day. Your maturity was evident from the start” , said the Mayor. Quoting Mother Teresa and Country Singer Tim McGraw, she urged the graduates to always be kind. “Take challenges, take risks, speak up and be courageous anyway. Share lessons of hope. Go forward and remember that you will always be Medford Strong”, she said.

Superintendent Roy Belson opened his remarks by stating that effective people are not problem minded, but opportunity minded. “Your life has a purpose, keep on learning and remember the future is yours”, he said.

Mr. Michael Skorker, Spanish teacher at MHS, Advisor to the Gay/Straight Alliance, and the Administrative Intern for the Bloomberg Center for Citizenship and Responsibility, was selected by the class to be the faculty speaker. “I am honored and humbled to be chosen as your keynote speaker. I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. As a young student, I had a Dream Wall over my bed, which highlighted my goals in life: to meet Madonna, to be a Broadway singer and to become a teacher. Always, to be a teacher, was front and center. You have changed my life and changed the climate and culture of Medford High School. You genuinely care about each other and your kindness has left a mark on this school”. Skorker ended his remarks by stating; “You are enough. It doesn’t matter who you are. You are beautiful just the way you are. As long as you are doing what you love, and are true to who you are, you will be successful”. He urged the students to make their own Dream Wall, beginning with a photo frame he provided to each student. Skorker said, “Here is my photo for that frame”, as he took a selfie of himself at the podium with the Class of 2016 as his background.

Class President Vanessa Liu, who will be attending Yale University in the fall, said she is an avid movie watcher. She told her fellow classmates; “I got my movie and the stars are all of you!” She continued; “Realize this is not the end of the movie, rather you will just be with a new cast, in a new setting. Live in the moment and thank you all for an amazing four years”, said Liu.

Top Ranked MVTHS Student Adriana Marie Costa, who will be attending the Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, said originally she had planned to become an electrician, but realized she enjoyed working with the elderly. “We get hands on experience at the Vocational Technical High School, and in 9th grade we are able to sample each of the major courses of study offered there. Health Assisting became my major and I look forward to becoming a nurse for senior citizens. I enjoy their stories, however many times they may repeat the same ones, because each time, I learn something new about them. I wouldn’t trade the experiences I have had here for anything. The future is in our hands, so let’s make it count”, said Costa.

Salutatorian Simona Miller, who will be attending Smith College in the fall, said that graduation was a major step in all of their lives. “Most of all I appreciate the family here at Medford High School. When I came out at the end of my freshmen year, I received so much support. The only complaint I heard was, why I didn’t tell us sooner? We are a progressive and open minded student body. Ohana, means family from the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch and that word is what bands us together forever. We can celebrate our differences and move on together because we never leave our family behind” said Miller.

Valedictorian Serena Do, who will be attending MIT in the fall, thanked the amazing teachers that guided this class on their journey and stated; “The past is where regret lives, make peace with the past, as it’s impossible to move forward without it. The future breeds worry. So live in the present, for it’s too late to regret and too early to worry. The present is what is most important as we’ve finally made it! Celebrate the moment. And watch out world, because the Class of 2016 is coming for you”, said Do.

Before the diplomas were handed out by Mayor Burke, Dr. Riccio, Dr. Perella, and members of the Medford School Committee, Dr. Perella presented Perfect Attendance Awards to the following students: Christopher Ellis, Brooke Parziale, Victoria Staneven, Sean Allien, and Jaynat Sharma. “These students did not miss one day in four years”, said Perella.

Musical selections were provided by the Medford High School Chorus, who performed “MHS Alma Mater”, Los Rubios, who performed “I Saw Her Standing There”, as well as, the Medford High School Band. Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2016!

– Story and photos submitted by Medford Public Schools. More photos are available on Facebook.