Oliver Ames High School graduated 259 students on Saturday, Aug. 1. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Senior Class President Nicholas Allen speaks at Oliver Ames’ graduation ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 1. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Graduating students sat in chairs spaced 6 feet apart on the field. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Students walked to the stage and picked up their diploma from a table as their name was read before having their picture taken as they exited the stage. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools)
EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral and Principal Wes Paul are pleased to announce the graduation of 259 students from Oliver Ames High School.
Oliver Ames High School held a physically distanced, in-person commencement ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Oliver Ames High School. Masks were required for all attendees. Students sat in chairs spaced 6 feet apart on the field. Each graduate was given two tickets for family members and family members sat together in sections spaced 6 feet apart in a different section of the field.
Students walked to the stage, used the available hand sanitizer and picked up their diploma from a table as their name was read before having their picture taken as they exited the stage.
The 2020 senior class president is Nicholas Allen.
“The Class of 2020 has had many unique challenges: we were the first senior class to experience ‘remote learning’ as we showed up for Google Meets in our pajamas… we held the first ‘insta senior superlative night,’ the first virtual class night, we were the first class to create a video on YouTube… We faced these challenges with determination and creativity, which brought out the best in us,” Allen said. “Today is not a day to mourn the end of our high school career or to worry about the future, but to revel in what we have achieved; today is a day to be proud of who we have become, and what we have done.”
The 2020 Class Speaker was Harrison Webster.
“Many would have expected us to be discouraged by the hardships we faced and the events we missed out on, but I think I speak for us all when I say we did not let this situation define our senior year,” Senior Class Speaker Harrison Webster said. “Many times in life, we cannot account for the inevitable. COVID-19 is that 10% of life that happens to us and we have no say in it. But what we had control over was our reaction, the 90% that truly defines us.”
The Class of 2020 Valedictorian is Jessica Roa.
“Each of you has a story to tell, full of obstacles and successes. I want you to know I have drawn inspiration from you, so when you feel lost, know that you can always find inspiration within yourself. Life after high school is uncertain. Life after high school is daunting and scary. But our time at Oliver Ames has given us so many valuable tools to help us navigate the rapidly changing world that lies ahead of us,” Roa said. “Brazilian author Paulo Coehlo said, ‘There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.’ Do not fear failure. When you get scared, turn your fear into inspiration. Turn obstacles into opportunities. Draw strength from your setbacks.”
Principal Paul congratulated the graduates and thanked them for their kindness, positive attitude and grit during their years at Oliver Ames before reading their names.
Video of the full graduation ceremony can now be viewed on Easton Community Access Television (ECAT) and on ECAT’s Facebook page.
Other celebrations for the graduates included a car parade through town on Sunday, July 26. They also held Class Day virtually on Friday, June 5 where scholarships were awarded to a number of graduating students. This year, Oliver Ames High School presented seven new scholarships thanks to the generosity of donors. Both events can also be watched on ECAT’s Facebook page.
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.