246 seniors became Holyoke High School’s newest alumni during a graduation ceremony that brought families, friends, classmates, and school staff to the football field on a cloudy Friday eventing.
Among the students recognized during the ceremony, 37 graduated with high honors and 56 with honors, 26 are members of the National Honor Society, 21 have earned the Seal of Biliteracy, and 45 received have already earned college credits as high school students who have participated in the Early College program. Additionally, 43 of North’s graduates received degrees after completing their coursework at Holyoke High School’s Opportunity Academy, including three OA students who graduated with honors.
Student speakers included Salutatorian Michael Melendez, Valedictorian Nicholas Rodriguez, and Perseverance Speaker Gedeon Ortiz-Torres. The students speeches touched on nostalgia for the time shared at HHS North, optimism for the future, and poking fun at some favorite teachers. All three speeches caused uproars of laughter from students and guests alike.
Additional remarks were provided by Mayor Joshua Garcia, Vice Chair of School Committee Dr. Yadilette Rivera-Colon, Superintendent Anthony Soto, and Principal Lori McKenna. Principal McKenna made sure to capture one last class selfie "for the gram," pictured above, after her speech that encouraged students to take risks and have fun during their challenges ahead.
The high school music department supported the ceremony from beginning to end, with the band and orchestra performing the traditional graduation processional “Pomp and Circumstance,” the choir singing “Star Spangled Banner” and the Madrigal Choir singing “My Heart Will Go On.” The Holyoke High School Band and Choir came together to perform the recessional “Hail! Holyoke High School.”
Opportunity Academy students, including those who walked at Dean and North, will graduate on Friday, June 13 in a ceremony that starts at 10 a.m. at the Holyoke War Memorial, 310 Appleton Street.
Photos from the event will be added here, with additional photos to be added in coming days.