Wareham High School’s 105 graduates of the class of 2015 were a giggling, rowdy bunch on Friday night, excited to begin the next steps in their lives, but also grateful to the many teachers who shaped their lives over the years.

Class Valedictorian Nicole Russo said she and her classmates would be forever grateful to their instructors’ support, “even if we don’t tell you as often as we should.”

“I want you to think about how you got here,” Russo said to her classmates in her Valedictorian speech. “There is no doubt that the past four years have helped us evolve into the people we are now.”

“Maybe you had a teacher that made you fall in love with a subject, sparking a passion that you didn’t know you could,” Russo continued. “Perhaps a coach pushed you to give everything you had, and then some to succeed.”

Salutatorian Kim Barboza had a slightly more humorous take to her gratitude.

“Every single person here has made a contribution to make this day possible for the class of 2015,” Barboza said. “We have achieved not just as individuals today, but as a community. I encourage your sentimental Facebook posts, and victory selfies.”

High School Principal Scott Palladino thanked the graduating seniors for all their hard work, and was pleased that the seniors he had a chance to speak to had found inspiration in their four years.

“Most of you will be focusing on this during the post-high school years,” Palladino said. “Eighty-five percent of you will be going on to further your education in either two-year or four-year institutions. Five percent will be enrolling in the military, and 10 percent will be joining the workforce.”

Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood praised the graduating class for their “perseverance, passion, and grit.”

“You have served as role models to younger students, and you’ve represented our class with dignity,” Shaver-Hood said. “You continuously raise the bar in achievements, as well as in personal fortitude.”