Photos: Tiverton graduates given words, beliefs to live by

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 6/11/17

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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Photos: Tiverton graduates given words, beliefs to live by

Posted

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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