The arrival of June means many things: for some, it signifies the start of summer, and while students dread finals and exams, others envision a picturesque vacation to ease away the built-up stress of the busy work months. But as the steadfast march of “Pomp and Circumstance” filled the air and countless hands rose to applaud lines and lines of students, to seniors, June of 2024 marked the end to a challenging but unforgettable four years of high school.
This year, unlike previous years, the seniors’ graduation took place in the Field House on June 6th due to stormy weather. Despite the unusual venue, the event still upheld the same spirit and sincerity that accompanies every CRLS graduation.
As families poured into the field house, they were welcomed by opening music from the World Jazz Ensemble. Vera Duarte, the Teacher-in-Charge of the English Language Learners Department, spoke shortly afterwards to introduce the customary welcome from bilingual seniors to celebrate the diversity of Cambridge.
Next came the processional, performed by the Falcon Band and the CRLS String Orchestra, as well as “The Star Spangled Banner,” sung by the CRLS Traveling Chorus. The class of 2024’s salutatorian, Stephen Gwon, Former Editor-in-Chief of the Register Forum, then took to the stage with an address to his grade. Gwon was followed by speeches from Principal Damon Smith, Superintendent Dr. Victoria L. Greer, and Mayor E. Denise Simmons, who urged the importance of a “solid education,” the “key to unlocking the doors of [the] future.”
The acknowledgements and welcoming addresses ended with the song by Fleetwood Mac, “Dreams,” which was performed by No Assembly Required, a band comprised of graduating seniors James Blanc, Daniel Capulia, Arsen Carangelo, Sasha Celimli, Victoria Park, Amara Simpson, and Sabrina Urbancik.
Finally, before handing out diplomas to graduates, Student Body President Elaine Wen, Senior Class President Anais Pite, and Valedictorian Amy Zhou ended the ceremony with their speeches, imparting three takeaways from their high school experience.
Up first, Wen emphasized to students how “education is not a means to an end.” Oftentimes, she said, the immense academic pressure students face buries the ultimate purpose of school. Wen’s speech reminded the audience of how “learning is the end goal.”
In her speech, Pite expressed regret and wished to “cherish each moment more.” Her speech left graduates and current students one important, bittersweet message: “Be present in all things and thankful for [it] all.”
The last speech went to Zhou, who commented on the strength and courage of CRLS and, especially, the class of 2024. She highlighted that the all-but-normal start to high school, the civil rights’ movements during a pandemic rife with hate, and other tribulations high schoolers face made the class of 2024 “willing to take risks more than ever.” But through taking these risks, Zhou said, the class of 2024 was able to grow tremendously.
