Anyone who’s been to a high school graduation knows: It’s an obligation.
Anyone who’s been to a Staples baccalaureate ceremony knows: It’s a joy.
Tonight’s event was typical: relaxed, inspirational, funny, poignant, loving and personal. Plus, no one jostled for camera angles.
Emcee Robby Toole
- Robby Toole was a masterful master of ceremonies.
- Staples’ own Woodland Blue rocked “Memory.”
- Faculty speaker Will Jones counseled: “Choose your path well — then go down it with love, joy and courage.”
- Zoe Apoian and David Ressler performed a stunning multilingual duet: “The Prayer.”
- Parent speaker Mary Parmelee offered 3 simple thoughts: “We love you. We’re proud of you. Call home once a week.”
- Noah and Zachary Steinman earned appreciative chuckles with their original poem, “4 Years and…”
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Salutatorian Jonathan Choi
Salutatorian Jonathan Choi said: “I know who I’ve become here. At Staples, I’ve learned how to be a real person.”
- The choir sang the uplifting “Circle of Life,” and the traditional finale, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”
- And then Robby Toole, the choir and Woodland Blue joined together to remind their classmates: “As our lives change, come whatever/ We will still be friends forever.”
It was over in less than an hour. But everyone lingered in the auditorium lobby. Parents and grandparents smiled, chatted and congratulated the not-quite graduates on a year — or 4, or 13 — well done.
The end is in sight. Tonight, no one wanted it to come quite yet.