Every graduation is special.
This was Staples High School’s first with 3 valedictorians. Natalie Bandura, Zach Bishop and Julian Weng all had the same GPA — down to one-hundredths of a point.
This was the second straight outdoors — but the first since the football field was named in honor of former coach Paul Lane.
In many ways though, graduation is timeless. Staples’ 135th commencement exercises included all the traditions: “Pomp and Circumstance,” evocative choral music (“The Road Home”), the awarding of diplomas and (of course) the turning of the tassel.
The Class of 2022 is part of history. They join 134 others, in a chain of high achievement and great honor. They move on to the next stages of their lives: college, jobs, making their marks on the world.
But in the words of principal Stafford Thomas: “This will always be your home.”
Posing for photos, before the ceremony.
Standing out in a crowd.
Assistant principals James Farnen and Penny Proskinitopoulos march in.
Soon-to-be graduates (from left): Jack Murphy, Matthew Genser, Jack Foster.
Proudly showing off the next stage in life.
A scoreboard salute to the Class of 2022.
Mazel tov!
Tri-valedictorian Zach Bishop did not give a traditional speech. Instead he played a farewell song on his viola.
Presenting diplomas (from left): superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein, and principal Stafford Thomas.
Every graduate was photographed, with his or her diploma.
Newly minted grad.
(All photos/Dan Woog)
(“06880 relies on readers’ contributions. Click here to support.)
