Fairhaven Class of 2024 president Elizabeth DaCunha shows her excitement upon exiting the football stadium after graduation on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
A bright and sunny sky greeted 147 Fairhaven High School graduates in the football stadium on Sunday, 6/2/24, for their send-off into the world, with the main message of the day being to savor the moment.
Valedictorian Kianna Coppa told her fellow graduates that when they look to the future, they do not know anything, there is no guarantee that their plans will unfold as expected.
“Seize control of the present,” she told them, and be an active participant in their lives.
She told them to literally feel the plastic of their seats, the gown rubbing against their skin, feel the caps on their heads and the person beside them.
“Remember, our future may be uncertain, but we all have a role we can play in the present,” said Ms. Coppa.
Superintendent Tara M. Kohler echoed the sentiment. She said she had a difficult year herself with some injuries and realized that life is not all the things you are accomplishing and the routine of the days.
A graduate gives a big wave and a big smile after receiving her diploma during the graduation ceremony in the football stadium at Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
“Every single day is a gift,” she said. “And you forget that sometimes.”
They have all faced obstacles and had setbacks, but it is what they do in those moments. She said she liked how Kianna said to feel the seats.
“And in this moment, be in the present,” said Ms. Kohler. “Because it truly is the only moment you are certain of.”
She told them not only to look to the people around them when things to wrong, but to be those people. Because the “real gift in his life,” she said is social connection.
“It’s the kindness. It’s the act of community,” she said, adding that she knew they were a phenomenal class. “Stay phenomenal. Stay uniquely yourself, whatever that is.”
She said being a graduate of FHS was a connector, and she encouraged them to connect with the alumni association and the way they do. Every community thinks it is special, she said, but this one really is.
“It’s close. It’s grounded in some really steep traditions,” said Ms. Kohler, adding that everyone who is an alumni of FHS shares those traditions.
Enjoy all the little moments, she said.
“Every single one of them. Enjoy them, take them in and like your valedictorian said, really celebrate that moment,” said Ms. Kohler.
A graduate gives a thumbs up after receiving her diploma during the graduation ceremony in the football stadium at Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
Principal Andrew Kulak, told the graduates they were no longer FHS students, but graduates and now alumni of “this unique, amazing high school.”
“Your time as students was short, but your time as alumni will continue for the rest of your lives,” Mr. Kulak told the graduates.
Their future is in front of them, he said, and used lyrics from Bruce Springsteen’s “No Surrender.”
For some high school was a breeze, said Mr. Kulak, for others a challenge, and not always because of academics. They discovered their likes and dislikes, their character and moral compass, learned how to navigate social situations, and figured out who would be friends or not.
“Well, we busted out of class. Had to get away from those fools. We learned more from a three-minute record, baby. Than we ever learned in school,” he recited from the song, and then noted that long time music teacher and band instructor Brian Young would be “busting out of class” and heading for retirement.
Mr. Kulak told the graduates that their paths did not end on graduation day, that the milestone was just a beginning.
“You’re all in various stages of figuring out your goals, your hopes and your dreams,” said Mr. Kulak. “While high school may have seemed hard, the hardest battle you will ever fight will be between who you are today and who you want to become in the future.”
“Well, we made a promise we swore we’d always remember. No retreat, baby, no surrender,” read the lyrics.
“Make the promise to yourself,” said Mr. Kulak. “No retreat, no surrender. never give up on your dreams…keep fighting and pushing forward.”
A graduate gets a quick handshake from a fellow graduate after receiving his diploma during the graduation ceremony in the football stadium at Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
He said as educators, their job was to impart some knowledge, teach them some standards and skills, but most importantly, teach them “critical thinking skills” and help them learn to make decisions so they can fight those battles.
“Hopefully, we did,” he said.
“Be safe, make good decisions,” Mr. Kulak told them. “Keep the promise of no retreat and no surrender. And wherever you end up, tell them Fairhaven High School sent you.”
Graduates celebrate with brothers and cigars after the ceremony in the football stadium at Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24, L-R: Owen Centeio, Greg Centeio, Hugo Surprenant, Luke Isaksen, James Isaksen. Photo by Beth David.
Salutatorian Aaron Palhota said his class had a strong sense of purpose. They went through a lot of change, he said, but “no amount of change can remove us from the dignity of being Fairhaven High School alumni.”
They will have many opportunities to recall high school life, he said, and they should embrace those moments, and every time they look back they’ll be able to admire how far they have progressed.
After the ceremony, graduates and family members hung around for photos, hugs, and goodbyes.
L-R: Mikaylah Cardoza, Kylie Gamble, Goddess Gregg, are all smiles holding their diplomas after graduating from Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
Katherine St. Amand and Jade Beauregard took a moment to pose with music teacher, Molly McNulty. Ms. St. Amand will be attending Trinity College for Creative Writing; and Ms. Beauregard will attend American Music and Drama Academy for Musical Theater.
Elijah Mercado said he was not sure of his future plans, but was considering a trade school in the fall. Meanwhile, he will continue his work in the restaurant field.
Landon Lawrence also said he would most likely opt for a union job, maybe driving commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, he will work at his restaurant job.
Friends Mikaylah Cardoza, Kylie Gamble, and Goddess Gregg will all be attending Bridgewater University, Makaylah for biology and chemistry, and eventually nursing school; Kylie and Goddess for Early Elementary Education.
“I feel pretty good,” said Preston Amaral, who will be attending UMassD for Civil Engineering. “I’m pumped and excited to start the next chapter.”
“I feel great,” said Owen Centeio, who will be attending Johnson & Wales for Sports Management, and will play lacrosse. “Awesome. I’m having an unbelievable, amazing day.”
This little guy knows how to make the best of a sunny day, getting in his 40 winks during the graduation ceremony in the football stadium at Fairhaven High School on Sunday, 6/2/24. Photo by Beth David.
The program also included singing of “The Halls of Ivy,” with the FHS Concert Choir; presentation of class gift; presentation of diplomas; tassel ceremony; class song, “Love Live” by Taylor Swift.
The ceremony is available on demand on the Blue Devil TV YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpeJ83_GssU
Fairhaven High School Class of 2024
Madison P. Akin, Highest Honors
Chelsey P. Amaral, High Honors
Laila K. Amaral, High Honors
Mila E. Amaral
Preston J. Amaral, High Honors
Danica M. Andersen, Highest Honors
Lean M. Z. Arroyo Ortiz
Jenna L. Arruda, Highest Honors
Joshua N. Arruda, High Honors
Brady R. Banville
Jade E. Beauregard, Highest Honors
Barrett S. Becotte, Honors
Lauren E. Bernardo, Highest Honors
Ava M. Bissonnette, Highest Honors
Hugh C. Boucher
Amelia F. Bowen
Arden C. Bradshaw, Highest Honors
Austin R. Branco, Honors
Cody J. Cabral
Eliana G. Cabral, Honors
Kacie J. Calheta, High Honors
Aidain J. R. Camacho
Mason C. Cardoso
Mikaylah M. Cardoza
Owen J. Centeio, High Honors
Jake T. Cerce
Dylan M. Cloutier
Justin F. Coelho, Honors
Kiana L. Coppa, Valedictorian
Colby D. Correia, Highest Honors
Gabriel J. Correia, Highest Honors
Lucas M. Correia, Highest Honors
Campbell H. Costa, Highest Honors
Derick D. Costa
Alexandra M. Cousineau, Highest Honors
Landon J. Crosson
Matthew J. DaCosta
Elizabeth R. DaCunha, Highest Honors
Landin A. Dallaire, Highest Honors
Cheyanne DaPonte, High Honors
Olivia M. Darmofal, Highest Honors
Lexi S. Davignon, Honors
Yasmin S. A. de Souza
Elizz M. Demers
Nathan R. Deslauriers, High Honors
Taylor E. Desmarais, Highest Honors
Rysiah J. DeSouza
Jayce D. Duarte
Grace E. Dupre, Highest Honors
Savannah L. Dwelly
Amanda M. Ellis, High Honors
Brian D. Felix
Chase G. Feno
Ava L. Fernandes, High Honors
Lucas J. Fernandes, Honors
Ameenah L. Ferreira, High Honors
Victor M. Ferreira Jr.
Mason T. Figueiredo
Jack D. Finn
Baile A. Fitzgerald, Honors
Gavin B. Fletcher, Honors
Sophia C. Fleurent, Honors
William W. Foster, Highest Honors
Ethan C. Furtado, Highest Honors
Kylie M. Gamble, Honors
Kethan R. Garcia
Christian M. Geerdes
Emma O. Gomes, Highest Honors
Goddess A. Gregg
Noah R. Guillotte, Honors
Gabbie M. Hamel
Parker B. Herman, Highest Honors
Nylynn R. Hernandez
Harmon M. Hochella
Christopher E. Hu, Highest Honors
James T. Isaksen, Honors
Scott P. Joseph Jr., Honors
Genevieve D. LaPointe, High Honors
Landon R. Lawrence
Rachel L. Lemrise, Highest Honors
Giavanna M. Lincoln, Highest Honors
Sherlyn P. Lobo
Mariah L. Lombard, Highest Honors
Lana J. V. Lucas
Bryanna L. Macedo
Ryan T. Machado
Samara E. Machicote
Thomas P. Marcotte, Honors
Tyler D. Martin
Leila R. McKay, High Honors
Sarah N. Melo
Elijah D. Mercado
Sydney G. Merusi, Highest Honors
Nikko J. Morris, Honors
Madison R. Moura
Aiden H. Pacheco, Highest Honors
Noah J. Pacheco, High Honors
Lucy J. Paiva
Ryan L. Paiva
Aaron B. Palhota, Salutatorian
Troy A. Parker
Emily M. Pedersen, Highest Honors
Marrissa M. Pereira, High Honors
Julien J. Perry
Christina F. Pimentel, High Honors
Owen S. Pimentel
Olivia E. Poulin, High Honors
Ryan S. Ptaszenski
Alex K. Robillard
Franklin L. Robillard
Camron A. Salgado
Jacobb B. Schmidt
Sean P. Scully
Zachary J. Silva
Ryan B. Silveira
Anthony L. Silvia
Quinn C. Soucy
Montana A. Sousa, High Honors
Ian J. Souza, High Honors
Katherine R. St. Amand, Highest Honors
Jaime L. St. Onge, Honors
Libby D. St. Pierre, Highest Honors
Hugo L. Surprenant, Highest Honors
Connor A. Sylvia, High Honors
Jax E. Sylvia
Ava R. Tadeu, High Honors
Colin P. Tavares
Jaidyn L. Thomas
Nadia M. Torres, High Honors
Sofia R. I. Torres, High Honors
Brayden K. Tremblay
Angelina O. Triplett, High Honors
Matthew C. Tripp
Andrew J. Tucker
Olivia P. Turgeon, Highest Honors
Arianna L. Turner
Michael C. Vardo, Highest Honors
Adrian S. Vieira
Ethan D. Vieira
Tyler N. Vieira, Highest Honors
Andy Wang, Highest Honors
Oliver E. Westgate
Tristyn F. Wieghmink
Coby C. Yin, Highest Honors
Natalie R. Yochim, Highest Honors
Eric Zhao, Highest Honors
Sabrina Zheng, Highest Honors
•••
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