BOURNE — When giving her graduation speech to Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School’s Class of 2023 on Sunday, June 11, valedictorian and Wareham resident Abigail Goodwin reassured her classmates. 

“Don’t worry,” she said, “I will spare us another speech about COVID.”

Instead, Goodwin told the 150 graduating seniors, 42 of whom are from Wareham, to learn from the hard parts of the life they have ahead of them. 

“We have to enjoy life for exactly what it is in its entirety, a beautiful chaos,” said Goodwin, who studied health technology and works as a certified nursing assistant at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandwich (“I’ll spare you any gory details,” she said.)

Her parting words to her classmates were that even the boring days offer opportunities, and that not even the happiest life is completely perfect. 

“Have faith in yourself to make the best choices for you,” she said. “Forge your own path, no matter how different it may be, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

After the ceremony, Goodwin credited Wareham’s “sense of community” with helping her reach this milestone — along with “hours and hours of studying and giving up free time.” 

“It feels surreal,” she said about being valedictorian. “It was a lot of hard work, but I’m excited that we finally all made it.” 

She always wanted to work in the healthcare field. Her father Raymond Goodwin was fire chief in Onset from 2014 to 2021, and her mother is a retired paramedic. 

“I just love helping people and taking care of them,” she said. 

At Spaulding, she moves patients in and out of bed, administers medical tests and helps people learn to walk again. It’s hard work, she said, but it’s fulfilling. She especially enjoys making a personal connection with each patient. 

At the start of the ceremony, Upper Cape Tech Superintendent Dr. Roger D. Forget said that Goodwin cared for an unnamed Bourne official, who then “sang her praises” to the school.

“It’s an honor that I’m allowed to be in such a personal aspect of someone’s life,” she said, “and that I’m allowed to make someone’s day better.” 

Goodwin graduated with high honors and as a member of the National Honor Society. She also won the Robert A. Dutch Scholarship, the Kevin C. Farr Scholarship, the Arthur Sweetman Memorial Scholarship, the Upper Cape Tech Merit Scholarship, the Upper Cape Tech PTO Award, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ Certificate of Academic Excellence, the Upper Cape Tech Tool Award, the Upper Cape Tech Teacher’s Association Toolship Award and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. 

This fall, she will be going to Merrimack College in Andover to study nursing. 

Goodwin wasn’t the only Wareham student to go home from graduation with awards and scholarships. 

Aidan Perez, who studied veterinary service, will be going into the United States Army. He won the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. 

Baylee Oswald, who studied environmental technology, was named an Outstanding Student of 2023 by the Massachusetts Vocational Association. She won the Cape Cod 5 Scholarship, Lyndon Paul Lorusso Charitable Foundation Scholarship, David P. Sampson Scholarship, Upper Cape Tech PTO Award and Upper Cape Tech Top Shop Tool Award. 

Jovauny Auguste, who studied carpentry, won scholarships from the Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod and the Southeastern Massachusetts Building Officers Association. He also received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Cai’Lysce Blake, who studied culinary arts, won scholarships from the Taylor’s Point improvement Association and the Lyndon Paul Lorusso Charitable Foundation. 

Colin Braley, who studied electrical work, won the Osterville Men’s Club Toolship Award and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Wayne Cash, who studied plumbing and heating, Daelyn Corbin, who studied marine technology, Nathaniel Pepin Muir, who studied information technology, and Kiley Reis-Rousseau, who studied marine technology, also received scholarships from the Lorusso Foundation. 

Noah Demoranville, who studied carpentry, won the Austin T. Roberts Memorial Scholarship and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Mason Dunfee, who studied plumbing and heating, won the Jason Comoletti Memorial Scholarship.

Mya Lewis, who studied health technology, won a scholarship from the Upper Cape Tech Scholarship Golf Tournament. 

Hannah Marobella, who studied cosmetology, and Amayah Perkins, who studied information technology won the Osterville Men’s Club Toolship Award.

Anthony Murteira, who studied health technology, won the Upper Cape Tech Licensed Practical Nurse Scholarship.

Matthew Paling, who studied carpentry, won the Devin J. Brito Memorial Scholarship and the Upper Cape Tech Ram Award. 

Lily Reed, who studied veterinary science, won the Upper Cape Tech Merit Scholarship, a Presidential High School Scholarship from Cape Cod Community College and the Osterville Men’s Club Toolship Award. 

Sean Stephens, who studied information technology, won the Thomas Crook Memorial Scholarship and a scholarship from the Upper Cape Tech Scholarship Golf Tournament. 

Chloe St. Juste, who studied health technology, also won a Golf Tournament scholarship. 

Cole Ducharme, who studied carpentry, Mya Randolph, who studied culinary arts, Garrett Lyons, who studied information technology, and Luke Sprague, who studied marine technology, won John and Abigail Adams Scholarships. 

A full list of Wareham graduates is attached.