Bright futures amidst rainy day at Upper Cape graduation

Zarrin Tasnim Ahmed
Jun 6, 2016
Students receive their diplomas at the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School on Sunday morning under cloudy skies. BY ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
Graduates sit in the rain during the Upper Cape Cod Technical Regional High School graduation ceremony. BY ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
Onset resident Kaitlyn Marie Dunlap-Santos walks away with her diploma. BY ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
Vice President and SkillsUSA gold medalist Ann Marie Lupino of Wareham walks down the steps of the stage with her diploma in hand. BY ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
Wareham resident Brian Holmes holds up his diploma at graduation. He graduated from the Marine Biology shop and received a tool scholarship, shown in the next picture. COURTESY MARTHA HOLMES
A tool scholarship received by graduate Brian Holmes. COURTESY MARTHA HOLMES
After officially graduating, many students throw their caps into the air in celebration. BY ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED

When Principal Roger D. Forget described the graduating class of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, he chose two words: humble and kind.

“Kindness doesn't cost anything, but it’s worth a lot,” he said in his address to the 161 graduating students.

They, as well as their families and friends, stayed out in the rain on Sunday morning for the graduation ceremony. Despite the weather, the mood was anything but damp.

Beach balls were tossed around, family members cheered on graduates as they received their diplomas and Superintendent Robert A. Dutch encouraged students to take selfies during the ceremony.

“Some words that you’d never thought you’d hear from me: take out your phones. Go ahead, take it out,” he said. “Take a selfie, of yourself and the person next to you. Go ahead! You’ll look back on that photo sometime in the future and it will bring a smile to your face.”

He stressed the importance of friendship and how it’s something that can’t be taught. For many students, the friends they made in the last four years was the best part of high school. To read some favorite high school memories from Wareham-based students, see the bottom of this article.

There were 67 students from Wareham in the graduating class of 2016, one of whom was the valedictorian. His message to classmates was to keep dreaming.

“When we were younger, our lives were full of dreams,” said Robert Giannelli during his address. “Dream of being the greatest you can be. Maybe someday we will all meet up again as princes and princesses.”

Favorite high school memory

"SkillsUSA, and definitely my shop. The kids that were in it made it worth it."

- Ann Marie Luppino (Vice President, High Honors, National Honors Society), Environmental Technology

 

"Making things and chilling with my boys [in shop]."

- Tyler Stinehour (Honors), Carpentry

 

"Making relationships with new friends."

- Alexis Santos, Cosmetology

 

"I have so many [memories]. When I met everyone in my shop, I immediately knew we would be friends."

- Gabrielle Poekel (National Honors Society), Cosmetology

 

"Probably just baseball."

- Matthew Tropeano, Engineering

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