Parents, siblings, and other relatives loudly vocalized their support for this year’s 33 students graduated from the Wareham Cooperative School Wednesday evening.

The alternative school allows students who cannot or do not choose to follow the traditional high school route to get their diplomas. Full-time students of various ages in grades seven to 12 are eligible for the program.

Graduate Hannah Davenport shared her school experience with the crowd assembled in the Wareham High School auditorium, in a speech prepared for the ceremony. She said the alternative school worked for her, because, when she was in high school, she “didn’t like the feeling I was doing most of what I was doing because it’s what everyone does.”

“I had transferred from a different high school senior year, and worked after school, and what everyone else was doing wasn't working for me,” Davenport said. “Night school was the first place no one was asking, ‘Wait, weren’t you supposed to be graduated? Aren’t you supposed to be taking math class?’”

Davenport said she met all sorts of students in various situations, and eventually realized that the cooperative school was a place she could follow her own path, without judgement from her peers.

“Everyone took their own paths to their own goals,” Davenport said. “The important part is achieving those goals. Everyone in this room has reached their goal.”

Cooperative School Principal Kathleen Moore also presented graduates Kenneth Fowley, Kevin O’Brien, and Eric Poirier with special citizenship awards, which Moore said are awarded to students who go show outstanding respect, tolerance, and kindness to their school community.

“During their time at the Wareham Cooperative School, they went above and beyond their classmates to treat members of their school community in a manner that demonstrates citizenship in both their words and their actions,” Moore said.

School Committee member Cliff Sylvia said he was very proud of this year’s group and offered some choice wisdom to the outgoing students. He said the graduates should set realistic goals, but remain undaunted by setbacks.

“The most important thing in achieving the ultimate goal is the journey itself,” Sylvia said. “It is the bends in the road of the journey that shape your character.”