The school's choir sang a rendition of the classic Bill Withers song "Lean On Me," made especially poignant by the proximity of the recent destruction in the nearby South End.
View full sizeJune 3, 2011 - Springfield - Republican staff photo by Michael S. Gordon - Karmen A. DeCaro, left, and Anthony M. Bavaro pause for a self portrait before the start of Minnechaug Regional High School graduation Friday night at Springfield Symphony Hall.SPRINGFIELD – After observing a moment of silence for those affected by Wednesday’s tornadoes, 291 Minnechaug Regional High School students graduated Friday at Symphony Hall.
School officials said the general manager of the venue received permission from Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office to hold the ceremony.
Class president Andrew Johnston gave an address during which he said the tornado should bring people closer.
“We have all been humbled, but what we must take away (is) when times become tough, we must all band together,” said Johnston. “While we have no means to erase what has happened, we must do our best to learn from this.”
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee chairman Scott R. Chapman touched on the natural and man-made tragedies that have punctuated the educations of the graduates.
“In your elementary years, you were here with us when the nation was attacked on September 11,” said Chapman. “As students, and as a district, we came together in our own small but profound way to raise awareness and offer support to others.”
“We’ve had to look to each other and exhibit the strength of what our communities, Hampden and Wilbraham, are about, and help each other in our own time of natural disaster here at home,” he said.
The school’s choir sang a rendition of the classic Bill Withers song “Lean On Me,” made especially poignant by the recent destruction in the nearby South End.
But despite the sorrow felt around the region, much of the ceremony was jubilant.
The Graduation Band played a medley of songs from “West Side Story.” There was laughter at speakers’ jokes, congratulatory shouts and whistles, and raucous applause when the diplomas were handed out.
“You have met and exceeded our district’s expectations of you,” said Principal Stephen M. Hale to the class of 2011. “I hope one day my kids grow up to be just like you.”