Amaya McLeod felt overwhelmed with all the inadequacies common to the first day of high school.
Most notably was the sense that she was in over her head. The Marion native poked fun at the literal application, noting her lack of height, but more significantly was her inability to get a grip, any sense of control, on what was rushing by her with that wave of students.
They all seemed to know where they were going and were in a furious rush to get there. McLeod saw this from the sidelines lest she be trampled underneath.
“Being in this class has taught me that friends can help you through anything. I’m not saying you need a whole entourage, even one good friend can help you through the toughest of times,” she said.
Almost four years later, McLeod is valedictorian of her class.
Introduced by Class of 2022 Vice President John Joseph Kassabian, McLeod spoke not from the perspective of being a high achiever but as a survivor, telling a story that aligns herself with rather than marks herself off against her fellow classmates.
“I am proud to be a part of this class because we have not only made it, but we have helped each other hit every curve ball thrown our way,” said McLeod, who will study Environmental Sciences at UMass Amherst. “We shouldn’t waste these precious moments worrying about how we will do in the future and instead spend them appreciating how far we have come.”
It was with that spirit that Class of 2022 Treasurer Eddie Gonet celebrated the finish line that all 2022 ORR graduates have in common.
“Unless we take the time to talk to 200 of our classmates, we’ll never know what challenges they faced to graduate high school,” he said.
Every student came a long way.
Every student dealt with disappointments and the abiding relationships that were forged.
“I found out that support is not always a two-way street, but friendship is,” said Class President Mackenzie Marie Wilson.
In her remarks on behalf of Superintendent Mike Nelson, who was attending a graduation in his family, ORR School Committee Chairperson Heather Burke reported that the Class of 2022 represents 45 conference sports championships, will attend 70 different colleges in 18 different states and in two foreign countries.
After congratulating 2022 retirees from the ORR staff, ORRHS Principal Mike Devoll asked graduates to stand at the mention of various accomplishments ranging from academics and athletics to family connections and future endeavors. With all that has been accomplished, the exercise looked like a 10-minute version of a conclusion to the old television game show To Tell the Truth.
At the wrong end of the alphabet, Jen Williams was first to receive her diploma so she could depart for the All-State Track and Field Championships at Westfield State University, where she competed in the 100 hurdles.
In her address to the class, retiring Mattapoisett Schools Principal Rose Bowman quoted Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Bowman encouraged the graduates to bring their own version of joy to the world.
“Don’t be in such a hurry to move forward that you forget (that moment in front of you,)” she said, comparing each student and their gifts to the snowflakes, precious and unique. “You can have a mission in life unique to you,” impacting people along the way in ways “you may never know.”
ORR Commencement
By Mick Colageo