The rain held off long enough on Sunday afternoon, June 3, for Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School to hold their commencement ceremonies outside on the lawn next to the gymnasium. Students, families, and friends gathered around the graduates, listened to speeches by their peers and teachers, and reflected on their accomplishments since freshman year.
“Over four years, you get to know these students,” said Principal Bob Dutch before the ceremony began. “I think it’s great when they come in, may not have a direction, but end up on a clear path. It makes me feel good.”
During his speech, Dutch detailed the historically and culturally significant times these students have endured while in high school. He said they witnessed the end of the Harry Potter saga, the death of Osama bin Laden, the rise of Apple and the fall of the economy. But his message was a positive one, referring to the graduates as members of the “collaboration generation” where social networking is preferred to living and working in isolation.
This year, three of those seasoned graduates came from Marion, and the whole trio was very excited to take the next step forward in their lives.
“I’ve had a really good time here, but I have to say, I’m ready to get out of here,” said Mason Urquhart. He plans on taking some time off after high school to enter the work force.
Another Marion grad, Mitchell Laferriere, plans on continuing his education after Cape Cod Upper Tech.
“I’m going to BCC for two years, then three years at Roger Williams University. I’m planning on going to their architectural college,” he said.
Brandon Davis is keeping his options open for the time being.
“I’m glad to be done. My favorite thing about this school was shop class with Mr. G,” Davis said. He is thinking of either going to work after high school or attending Universal Technical Institute.
“Today, we are starting our lives, and writing our own histories,” said Class Salutatorian Avis Lynn Francis during her speech.
Whatever their plans are now and whatever their goals for the future, these graduates will be responsible for making their dreams reality.
By Eric Tripoli
