GREENFIELD — Loud cheers erupted Friday morning as Greenfield High School Bruins Class of 2017 took the field for the final time at its commencement ceremony, during which 212 seniors tossed their caps in the air in celebration of their graduation.
Family, friends, teachers and classmates watched and cheered from the stands as the seniors celebrated their final day of high school. Speeches were given by seniors Daniela Cervantes, ASB president; Rosa Leon, class president; Galilea Dolores Silva, salutatorian; and Celeste Castro, valedictorian.
“Over the course of the last four years, I’ve seen each of you grow and mature into great human beings,” Castro said. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m so proud to be part of the Class of 2017, truly the best class to ever walk this campus.”
A portion of Castro’s speech included reading shout-outs from her fellow graduates to their loved ones. She then wished the seniors the best of luck in the next chapter of their life.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we will all succeed in life. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us,” Castro said.
The June 2 program also featured senior Stephanie Aileen Aguirre, who sang the National Anthem, and the commencement address was given by Greenfield High School Principal Frank Lynch.
“I want to celebrate you’re amazing accomplishments. But, with what this class has accomplished, that would take way too long,” Lynch said. “… Instead, I will try to give you something that will guide you as you travel through life. We all have dreams, a place to go, a career to pursue, a passion that drives us. Pair these dreams with hard work. A dream is just how your brain tells your body what work is really important.”
Lynch told his students that they should have pride in who they are, where they are from and what they have accomplished so far in life.
“We are all works in progress and have challenges to face,” he said. “All of this adds up to balance. Find your balance in your life, so that you can have the one thing that may be the most important: happiness on your own terms.”
View more graduation photos in the “Congrats Grads” section in the June 14 issue.
