On a damp Sunday afternoon, Barrington High School graduated 202 students in the gymnasium at the Lincoln Avenue school. 

Graduatiion Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

The previous day, the annual Friendship Service was held outdoors and offered great photo opportunities for families to capture the moments of pride and joy with their graduates under sunny skies.

At the graduation ceremony, where each graduate was allotted three tickets for family and friends, the bleachers were packed as well as chairs on the floor of the gym. Overflow and non-ticket holders watched the ceremony from the auditorium on a live video stream.

At 2 p.m., the procession of faculty entered the gym, followed by the soon-to-be graduates as the traditional Pomp and Circumstance played.

A beautiful and flawless version of the National Anthem was sung by the choral ensemble, followed by the welcome address given by Senior Class President Liam Flaherty, who told the crowd that Barrington High School students are driven; they have promise, and are versatile.

“We thrive off of challenge. This is not a farewell address. Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened,” he said.

Two essayists, Jordyn Fullaway and Isabelle Rea, each offered moving speeches, filled with poise and inspirational musings that showed how a Barrington High School education creates strong, confident and intelligent young adults.

Ms. Fullaway began her essay, entitled, A Thank You Note, by saying she lacked the confidence as a freshman to even consider writing and delivering a speech at graduation. She said it is because of the school community and beyond that she turned her self-doubt into a challenge.

“It is because of you that we have successfully made it here today. We have made it through to graduation, and we have made it through high school," she said. "It is because of our teachers, our families, our friends and our community. It is because of all your unceasing love and support…And it is because of you that I am able to stand here today, giving a speech at graduation."

Ms. Rea said the moral values, ideals, love, kindness, trust, care and commitment that was learned at BHS will go with them in to the future.

“Our time at BHS will be something we look back on, not an experience we live and feel everyday…But what that doesn’t mean is that these years are something false or unfaithful to how our lives actually play out," she said. "No, the things we learned here, the conversations we had, the people we met, the things we felt, they are all very, very real. Even if they may be remembered in jest, just like we now recall our freshman year selves, do not fail to realize that our high school experiences were the times where we found out who we are, as real people, who we are going to be. We tested out our personalities through interactions with teachers and friends, we found out how we handled responsibilities and failures. Here we are not just actors in the stereotypical suburban scene, but real people living real human things, even if they were dictated by the ring of the bell."

In his charge to the Class of 2016, Barrington High School Principal Joseph Hurley focused on three words: Dignity, respect and trust.

He told the story of a parent coming in to the school, interested in transferring her child to BHS.

“What was interesting about our conversation was that more so than academics, or our outstanding athletic programs, this parent was interested in trying to determine whether or not the culture of our school would be the right fit for her child," Mr. Hurley said. "As a school community, are we accepting and welcoming of others?  Reflecting on her question, I began to think of the amazing way that our school community has worked to be inclusive of all students. Whether through the efforts of the Chain Reaction club, Unified Sports and Theatre, the School Improvement Team’s Eagle of the Month, or simply the everyday interactions and random acts of kindness that we, as teachers and administrators, witness in the classrooms, the hallways, and in the cafeteria on a regular basis, the Class of 2016 epitomizes a school culture built on dignity and the respect of others."

Mr. Hurley also made reference to the failed state slogan, cooler and warmer and that the Class of 2016 had a slogan of their own. He brought out a flag the class made to show their pride.

“Now you may not know it, but the Class of 2016 has a slogan of their own.  On the back of their Senior T-shirts it simply reads 'Make it Big.'

"I have no doubt that each senior present here today is going to make it big in their own way after graduating from Barrington High School this afternoon,” he said.