Staples High School’s Class of 2024 graduated tonight.
The 137th commencement in the school’s history — held for the 3rd year in a row on the football field, and for the 3rd straight year under cool, sunny skies — featured the traditional processional, remarks from the valedictorian and salutatorian, awarding of diplomas to 426 seniors, and recessional.
Principal Stafford Thomas (left) and vice principal James Farnen lead the faculty onto the football field. Farnen is the proud father of Jack, a graduating senior.
New this year: recognition of the 5 students entering the military. They received hearty applause, when introduced by principal Stafford Thomas.
Here’s the first set of photos. More will follow tomorrow.
“06880” interns Talia Varsano (left) and Jolie Gefen are, as usual, all smiles.
Director Lauren Pine (left) leads the Choralaires in “The Road Home.” Senior Rohan Wadhwani delivered a rousing solo.
Board of Education, school district and town officials …
… and Staples faculty.
Valedictorian Leigh Foran.
Salutatorian Andrew Berkowitz.
Gavin Zahler (left) is headed to the Marine Corps. Cade McGrath will join the Navy.
Graduates receive their diplomas …
… and pose proudly.
Congratulations, to the Staples High School Class of 2024! (All photos/Dan Woog)
Congratulations to the class of 2024!!
These kids have no idea how good they have it!! What an upgrade from the stifling hot field house! Why wasn’t graduation always outside?!
Lovely! Thank you Dan!
Beautiful ceremony, incredible class of achievers…but an AWFUL INEXCUSABLE decision by Staples to have this on a Monday night. Graduates robbed of celebrations, siblings suffer many who have finals today and working parents struggling. We can do better
I’d like to render a big salute to Gavin and Cade as well as the other three grads headed off to military service. It’s not the traditional Staples HS graduate thing to do, but it sure worked for me and turned into a 31 year career between the Army and Air Force. Good luck to all of them.
In response to Clyde Wauchope above, graduation used to be held outside and my class had ours outdoors in 1975.
Well done Class of 2024!! Congratulations from a fellow Graduate of 1979. 😉