TIVERTON — "Hope," "pride," "determination," "persistence," "perseverance," and "thanks" — these were among the repeated watchwords speakers used in their addresses to the 112 graduating members of the Tiverton High School Class of 2017 at commencement ceremonies in the school gymnasium Friday night, June 9.
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TIVERTON — "Hope," "pride," "determination," "persistence," "perseverance," and "thanks" — these were among the repeated watchwords speakers used in their addresses to the 112 graduating members of the Tiverton High School Class of 2017 at commencement ceremonies in the school gymnasium Friday night, June 9.
The stands around the sides of the gym, and chairs on the floor, were packed with family members and friends, whose cameras and cell phones sparkled and glowed during the processional (Elgar's traditional "Pomp and Circumstance").
"Now to my fellow tigers and tigerettes; to the Class of 2017: here we are; we're done!" said class valedictorian Kyle Peckham. "It is incredible to think that just four years ago we walked these halls as small, shy freshmen wondering how we will ever survive. And now we walk the stage tonight as confident young adults having learned more about both subject matter and ourselves, and having taken more tests than we would like to remember."
"The years of hard work have finally paid off; we are now closing in on the finish line of the race we began in the fall of 2013. However, we now realize that it was never the finish line, but rather merely a checkpoint from which we build upon and continue the race. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, 'Life is a journey, not a destination.' The day we stop learning; the day we stop working; the day we stop fighting is the day we let our journey end."
In a similar vein, Tiverton High School Principal Christopher Ashley, in his address of welcome and introduction to the gathering, quoted Winston Churchill, who said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts."
Then, reflecting on the class' accomplishments, Mr. Ashley said that, "during times of great difficulty and uncertainty, continuing to move forward is sometimes the hardest part of life. Sometimes a dogged determination to continue, even in the face of failure, is what leads to success."
"As you end one chapter in life and begin another," Mr. Ashley said, "there will be times when you have to choose between action and difficulty, or inaction and complacency. I urge you to choose the former, not necessarily because it guarantees success, but because it ensures you will continue to grow and learn. In the words of Winston Churchill, 'Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.' "
Mr. Ashley introduced Alexis DeSousa, President of the Class of 2017, who took to the podium to applause and cheers, listed the class' accomplishments over the years, and said, 'We have grown together as a class. We have supported and cheered each other on, becoming more than a class, but truly a family. We have formed bonds and friendships that we can carry with us for the rest of our lives fo our lives."e
"But always remember, whether you become a JWU Cougar, a WPI goat, a RIC anchorman, a URI ram, or a U.Mass. corsair, you will always be a Tiverton Tiger."
State Representative John Edwards, House Majority Whip and representing Tiverton in the General Assembly, was introduced by Ms. DeSousa.
Rep. Edwards, who said all three of his children "have gone through the Tiverton school system from K through 12," said, "I never fail to be inspired and even a little emotional at times. And it's not just because of the diploma you're about to receive, or the hard work you've put in, or the awards you've won; it's because of everything else I know you've done to better understand your roles as citizens — to better understand your roles in the community, the state, the nation and even the world."
"When it comes to social progress," Rep Edwards said, "it will seem like the world is taking baby steps or worse, is standing still. Don't give up. Persevere. And remember, there's nothing wrong with baby steps — provided you're taking them in the right direction."
"Of all the things I get to do as a lawmaker, speaking to you tonight is among the greatest perks — because it always give mes great hope for the future. As you go on to greater things, I want you to remember that word 'hope' because it's closely tied in with perseverance. By 'hope' I'm not talking about 'wishful thinking.' I mean knowing what you want to happen and taking the steps necessary to make it happen. Hope will help you to lead this world and make it a better one."
Salutatorian Kyle M. Pacheco followed Mr. Edwards to the podium.
"As we fellow graduates have realized how much hard work is necessary to achieve our ambitions, I want to also make clear, that however life plays out for each and every one of us, determination and pride is what our hopes should derive from," Mr, Pacheco said.
"Whether it be fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community or the rights of the those who unfortunately have to deal with some sort of disability," he said, "in the end they are the same as each and every one of us. Walking through the halls for the last four years, I have been able to witness at first hand how accepting we all truly are.... We not only want to leave here educated, but we want to leave here understanding who we are, and what we can make of ourselves."
Music for the ceremony, including a spirited rendition of "Albanian Dance" by Shelly Hanson, and "Eye of the Tiger" by Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik, was performed by the Tiverton High School Band, directed by Daniel Snizek.
Following the ceremonial speeches, diplomas were presented to all 112 graduating members of the class of 2017.
Tiverton High School List of Graduates (2017)
Katarina Eva Aguiar
Nicholas Gerald Almeida
James Anthony Alves
Douglas Alexander Amaral
Trevor James Amarantes
William Christian Armstrong
Abbie Rose Banville
Charis Lorraine Beaudoin
Emma Rose Becker
Hayden Bruneau
Nathan Cabral
Sarah Eileen Cabral
Brandon Cabrera
Aires Francisco Camara II
Leaven Lee Ann Carr
Aaron David Carreira
Justina Marie Carvalho
Kevin Simon Catabia III
Mark David Coelho
Lukas James Corr
Haylei Elizabeth Cotton
Devin Joseph Crawford
Camron Dean Dagesse
Alexis Lynn DeSousa
Alyssa Mercedes Doster
Samantha Christina Duarte
Brevin A. Dupre
Jacob Adam Durfee-Escobar
Hannah Christine Enos
Katelyn Nicole Farias
Andrew Ethan Fernandes
Haley Marie Ferreira
Nicholas D. Ferreira
Nicholas Vincent Forcier
Aidan M. Furze
Stephen Andrew Gacioch
Lauren Jacqueline Gamache
Alyssa Carmela Giordano
Emma Jane Glowacki
Ashlee Gomez
Jewls S. Guitard
Monique Earlene Gwinn
Haley Lynn Helger
Katie Carlann Helger
Kai David Henson
Sydney Elizabeth Homan
Gregory Robert Johanning
Corrie Lynn King
Heidi Blythe Kiser
Kayla Lee Korzeniowski
Alexander C. Leonard
Justin Connor Levesque
Matthew John Lubas
Caitlin Jean Macomber
Riley Mary Martin
Jackson John William Martins
Ethan Patrick McCormack
Ireland Rose McGreavy
Thomas Francis McKinnon
Aurora R. McLaughlin
Austin Medeiros
Dylan Januario Medeiros
Haley Nicole Mendoza
Haley E. Michaels
Caleb M. Miller
Evan Michael Monast
Jacob Paul Munafo
Jordan Michelle Murphy
Jesse Wellwood Nicholas
Sadie Beth O'Neill
Dean Mitchell Oliveira
Cody Jacob Pacheco
Kyle Melo Pacheco
Zachary Daniel Pacheco
Joshua Daniel Paquette
Maxwell A. Paradis
Bailey Reave Peace Fortin
Kyle John Peckham
Brandon Michael Peixoto
Andrew M. Perez
Adam Gray Perry
Ryan Singleton Phillips
Zachary-James Steven Pieroni
Thomas Daniel Pinckney
Kyle W. Potvin
Benjamin Isaiah Pruitt
Allyson Morgan Ramos
Lillian Paige Rapoza
Greggory William Raymond
Christopher Ryan Riley
Nicole Joan Rosenberg
Alexandra Marie Roussin
Katharine M. Sanford
Taylor Lauren Sanft
Daniel Aires Savery
Brett Michael Silvia
Mitchell Andrew Simoes
Elias N. Skarpos
Orion Skrzypiec
Kyle G. Soares
Erick Michael Sousa
Emma Esther Souza
Jacob Patrick Souza
Shaun Alan Souza
Natasha Lynn St. Onge
Marisa M. Stevenson
Christopher Joseph Sylvia
Brookelynne A. Verrette
Rayden P. Viveiros
Maiah Jessica Vorce
Joshua Ryan Walker
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