“Spread your wings. You’re going to soar...” has been one of those mantras that is shared nearly every early June as high school graduation becomes the focus for many Island families. That time is this weekend for regional high school seniors.

Those little tiny humans who enjoyed Letterland, hatching chicks and Thursday gym day have completed their 13-year elementary career. Christian Carroll, Ella Keene, Cali Giglio, Jake Glasgow, Clyde Smith, Henry Redfield, Wren and El Christy, Annalee Hoy, Declan McCarthy, along with latecomer to the group Vivian Peek, will be draped in caps and gowns adorned with class of 2023 tassels as they make their way to the podium to receive their MVRHS diplomas. It’s a milestone day marking the moment they dangle their toes into adulthood.

Kent Healy graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School with his classmates this past weekend, decked out in a blue button down shirt and adorned with a flower crown. He will continue to submerge himself in farming and fishing, embracing what the land and sea have to offer.

Jack Lionette, another class of 2023 graduate and Chilmark School alum, will finish his time at the Groton School, where he has embodied their mission: “To inspire lives of character, scholarship, leadership, and service within a diverse, inclusive, and close-knit community.”

Some monumental graduation festivities brought an Island kid back to New England and back to her Vineyard roots for a few days. Jackie Jardin Hornbuckle, along with husband Bo and daughters Ruthie and Isi, spent a couple of afternoons sitting a spell on Squid Row while sharing stories and reminiscing. Mom and Dad made their way to Chilmark by way of Ruthie’s naval flight school graduation in Corpus Christi, Tex. — where she received her wings of gold — and Isi’s Brown University graduation in Providence. Catching up with friends and family, noshing on local oysters and casting a line into the water from the Menemsha jetty were highlights of their mini-vacation.

Billie Hancock has made her way back to town from Florida after a side trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. She will be in town for a spell and kicking off her visit by whooping it up at grandson Christian’s graduation.

Ellie, Lucy and Hannah Harrison spent a few days in town with their folks Amy and Peter. Alongside all the giggling, they managed to sneak a lot of ice cream and hot chocolate into their visit with grandparents Howard and Liz Burns and more.

The aforementioned “more” the Harrison gals visited with included aunt and uncle Becky and David Parker who had popped down for a long weekend from Carlisle. Also in the mix were Sophie Parker who made her way from Boston, Meghan Parker who swooped in from Charleston, S.C. and sister Phoebe made an appearance as well. The fourth sister, Isabel, was off doing her own thing, but was dearly missed at this mini-reunion.

Five-year-old Finn — or F. Richard, as grandfather Dick Bluestein refers to him — traveled from Newburyport with his folks to spend a little time at the family’s Larsen Lane home. Uncle Andy wasn’t in town for this trip to talk Jeeps or nibble ice cream, so mom Jen took on the role as official ice cream supplier. Grandmother MaryKate, as always, simply soaked up the pleasure her adorable grandson had to offer.

Robert and Stephanie Shalhope made the trek from Colorado to spend a week-ish visiting with Robert’s folks, Emma and Bob Shalhope. One of the main goals of this visiting mission was to get Bob’s new Boston Whaler launched, taken for a shakedown cruise and properly tied in his newly-awarded slip on the West Dock. The mission was a success and a summer of fun on the water is about to commence.

Are your used printer ink cartridges stacking up? Irene Zeibarth shares that the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard is on a mission to recycle them. Keeping them out of the daily trash flow is easy. Just pop them in the conveniently located drop box at, among other places, the Chilmark town hall. If you have questions, give Irene a shout at 202-680-8076 or at ireneziebarth@gmail.com.