The top two students both were part of the programming and Web development shops.
PALMER – Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School’s valedictorian, AJ Czuprynski, told his fellow graduates at Saturday’s commencement that “graduation is not the end for us but rather the beginning of a new chapter of our lives.”
“As we close one door and open another, new opportunities and adventures await us,” Czuprynski, of Ludlow, said.
“While you’ll probably lose touch with more than half of the people that you’re sitting with today, they’ll forever be a part of your life. If not for them, you would not be the person you are today and for that you should thank your fellow classmates,” he said.
Salutatorian Joshua W. DeLand, of Monson, said, “let us not live for ourselves, but for everyone, and to make a lasting impact on our world.”
“During the last few years of high school, we’ve changed. We’ve become smarter, more independent and more aware of what our future holds,” DeLand continued.
The top two students both were part of the programming and Web development shops. Czuprynski will attend Fitchburg State College, and DeLand will attend Springfield Technical Community College. They also are members of the National Technical Honor Society.
Of the 138 graduates, 72 of them plan to attend two-or four-year schools or colleges, and seven plan to enter military service, according to information from the school.
“This year’s class is remarkable for the number and quality of individual students, but also for how the class has come together over their four years here. They are an extraordinary group of young people. We will miss them and wish them well,” Superintendent Gerald L. Paist said.
The regional school district’s member towns are Palmer, Belchertown, Granby, Ware, Warren, Monson, Oakham, Hardwick and New Braintree, but also has students from other area communities.