Relief, excitement, and a celebratory cigar. 

The 308 Barrington High School graduates showed a range of emotions as they walked off Victory Field on Sunday afternoon, June 8, just minutes after receiving their diplomas. 

A son found his father in the mass of onlookers and rushed over to hug him — a good, long hug. A daughter walked through the maze of people to find some friends while her father followed closely behind with his phone, recording or live-streaming the excitement. A new graduate darted over to a group of friends, stogie-in-hand, and shouted for a flame to light his celebratory cigar. 

The graduates continued to spill out of the gate and onto a section of grass between the varsity soccer field and the softball diamond. 

For two hours on Sunday, students — some who had attended Barrington Schools since they were five years old, and some who moved to town just a few years ago — sat together in rows of folding chairs on Victory Field. They listened to their classmates share speeches and read essays. 

Andrea Moran shared her perspective as a proud Nicaraguan immigrant and vice president of the graduating class.

“While many of our peers have been part of the Barrington community their entire lives, I represent that small percentage of us who haven’t,” she said. “Despite living in other states and countries, I can confidently stand here today and discuss how honored I am to be a part of this community. 

“Those of you who were born into the ‘Barrington Bubble,’ you may not see this, but I can tell you that our town is one of the most welcoming, warm, and bond-driven communities I have ever seen. I am grateful for this town, and I hope you are as well.”

Moran spoke about her classmates’ previous four years and also about moving forward. 

“I ask you to keep being different. Keep standing up for you believe in…” she said. “Please don’t give up. That’s where most people fall short. Most people give up, give in, or let fear take over. Not you. Go out into the world. Take risks. Speak up. Stand tall. Create the life you dream of…”

She finished with a brief message — in Spanish — to her mother. And then, to her classmates she said: “Make your loved ones proud. But most importantly, make yourself proud. You have the wings. You’re an eagle. Go fly.”

Gianna Vigliotti spoke about how her parents have supported her over the years. It started with them sharing “Starlight mints” with her and grew to something much larger. 

“Now it’s the way they hold my hand through everything life throws at me,” she said. 

Vigliotti paused and asked the crowd to compliment her father’s hair, if they saw him in the crowd. 

“I probably caused a lot of that hair loss, but he’s still looking great,” she said. 

Vigliotti also spoke about a car accident her father was in — it happened 438 days ago, she said. “I want you to think about your last 438 days. How many Starlight mints, or opportunities, did you create for yourself? What did you accomplish? What did you make purposeful? How many times have you left a mark in every crevice of each footprint you make?”

She then asked her fellow graduates to look ahead to their next 438 days. 

“How will you create opportunities to define your success? Where will you find your Starlight mints?” Vigliotti said. 

“Good luck to each of you in whatever comes next. If I don’t see you around, I’ll probably keep up with your life through social media. And if I do see you around, I can’t wait to see what you do with your Starlight mints.”