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MHS Graduates
Have Their Day

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
6/10/10
It was a hot, muggy day outside, and inside the Copeland Field House it was even warmer.

But no one would be denied the opportunity to watch Milton High School’s seniors have their time in the spotlight June 6. As each name was called off, another proud student walked across the stage to receive a high school diploma – a reward for four years of hard work and resilience.

The crowd was large, with many dozens standing to see 274 seniors gather for a final moment to share memories, laugh together and congratulate one another on a job well done.

Or, in the words of class valedictorian Alexandra Houlihan, “We finally made it!”

The comment was met by the day’s loudest cheer from students, as well as their parents. Houlihan congratulated her graduating class, saying the achievement should be their “proudest,” and encouraged them to work hard to achieve their dreams.

“No matter how you look at it, today we walked into this field house as Milton High seniors and soon we will walk out as graduates and alumni,” she said. “With this change, we face an unfamiliar and sometimes unsettling feeling of uncertainty as a major life milestone lay in the path before us. However, we are all capable of barreling through the untrod woods ahead like the wildcats that we represent.”

The ceremony marked the town’s 140th high school graduation exercise.

Milton High Principal Dr. John Drottar told his students to always think big, persevere and learn from their experiences.

“You will find in yourself persistence, patience and perseverance,” said Drottar, recounting how his own high school experiences – including an infamously bad showing in a talent show he still remembers – taught him how to grow and thrive even when things look their worse.

“You will meet with much [adversity]. Meet it head on, and never give up on yourself,” said Drottar.

School Committee Chair Lynda-Lee Sheridan said “much will be expected” of the students whether they choose college, the workforce or the military as their next step.

“You have accomplished a great deal to reach this day and we are so very proud of you. Milton High School has prepared you well and your families will continue to be your support,” Sheridan said.

Other speakers included salutatorian Samuel Shepard and class president Donald Vincent Ryan. Both of their speeches touched upon the great achievement that the class has completed and the challenges that lie ahead. Ryan told his fellow classmates that it is important to always “stay true to yourself.”

“Remember, you really do control your own destiny,” he said.

Shepard offered similar words of encouragement.

“Today is a day where I can look out before me and see a group of my closest friends who are prepared to go out and put their own stamp on the world,” he said. “You all have the behaviors, personalities, and good sense needed to enter life outside Milton High School. It has given me hope that I will be just as prepared to face my future as I know you all are. ... We have all been walking along a path together, but after this summer in the sun we will all start to find our own unique ways to travel forward.

“As I look out at all of you, I see the world’s next great doctors, lawyers, journalists, electricians, artists, entrepreneurs, volunteers, musicians, engineers, athletes, authors, soldiers and parents.”

The other class officers were Kristen Canniff, vice president; Emily Simy, secretary; and Melissa Donovan, treasurer.

Student government members were Jacqueline James, Alison McIntyre and Cheryl Tran.

Student representatives at School Committee meetings were Benjamin McCarthy and Charlie Rosmarin.

McIntyre was honored for four years of perfect attendance, as were Julie Mitchell and Maureen Walsh.

The Milton High band played under the direction of Rebecca Damiani and Gary Good. The chorus ensemble sang under Dr. Noreen Burdett.

(Editor J. Michael Whalen contributed to this story.)