Seniors turned to alumni as four years of hard work, dedication and perseverance culminated in the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School class of 2025's graduation. 

Loved ones gathered to watch the children they saw grow take the final steps to adulthood Sunday, June 8. Students who chose to attend the technical high school focused on a variety of  skills like cosmetology, environmental science and carpentry. 

Valedictorian Sean DeMatos of Wareham studied information technology and urged his fellow graduates to continue to make an effort.

"I know it seems easy to completely slow down now that we've finished high school but that is a dangerous track," DeMatos said. "Life's responsibilities and challenges are only going to get tougher from here and we need to keep moving forward to overcome these difficulties."

DeMatos said that there shouldn't be fear entering adulthood. He urged his peers to use the in-depth training and hours of experience they gained while in high school. 

"We have the power to achieve greatness when we put our minds to it," he said. 

He advised the students to make time for friends and family as they leave high school and to not overwork themselves. 

"Life is all about balance," he said. "There needs to be time for you to work your hardest but there are also times to relax and smell the roses."

As the crowd cheered and blew horns for the class of 2025, educators looked on toward the students they taught for the last four years. Principal Josh Greeley highlighted the graduates that chose to attend  Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School.

"You chose to be different — hungry," Greeley said. "As eighth graders you broke away from the crowd to attend UTC and now you won't fall flat."

Greeley said that the graduates collectively earned $1.4 million in cooperative wages. Cooperative wages are from a cooperative program with supervised on-the-job training for students through a cooperative arrangement between the school and the employer.

Alongside the wages, the class of 2025 collectively earned $49,000 in scholarships. Greely quoted students in a speech during the ceremony, sharing wisdom from those he mentored and gave well wishes to the graduates. 

"Remember to enjoy each and every day, especially this one," he said, "Congratulations to the class of 2025."

Students received their diplomas and turned their tassels with waves to family in the crowd. As the final names were called, a plane flew overhead with one final congratulations to the class.