A red carpet was rolled out on the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School grounds Saturday afternoon to celebrate its two graduating seniors: Morgan Caruso and Quinn Floyd.
Pete Steedman, the director of the charter school, thanked the crowd for helping to celebrate the class of 2025. He then highlighted the two students’ close friendship, which blossomed over their years at the school.
“The friendship that you have with one another is highly unusual and that is something that should be celebrated,” he said. “Not many people can say that they went to the same school with the same person in the same building from kindergarten through grade 12.”
As part of the festivities, Ms. Caruso and Ms. Quinn were led on a scavenger hunt prepared by their fellow high school students. Each clue referenced a different part of their school career, from posters in specific classrooms to songs from old lessons.
The final clue — a key to the school’s shed — unveiled baskets of gifts from the other classes.
Laura Hearn, Ms. Caruso’s mother and a board member of Options in Education, a group that raises money for the charter school, spoke about the students’ closeness, a bond formed in class, preparing for performances and at sleepovers.
“Through it all, they’ve been each other’s travel buddies, confidants and partners in crime. Watching them support each other over the years has been such a gift,” Ms. Hearn said. “Their friendship is legendary.”
English teacher Mathea Morais presented both students with awards that reflected their interests and personalities. Ms. Caruso was given the Rebel Without a Crew award in honor of her interest in film, which she will be studying at the University of Rhode Island.
Ms. Floyd, who will be attending Maine College of Art and Design, received the Yayoi Kusama There is No Box Award to acknowledge their wide array of artistic interests.
The gifts from other students also reflected Ms. Caruso’s and Ms. Floyd’s interests. Alyssa Mayrand, a fourth grade teacher, presented Ms. Caruso with her own walk of fame star, made from construction paper by Ms. Mayrand’s students.
Alistair Rizza, a fifth and sixth grade teacher, presented Ms. Floyd with a banner that commemorated the roles they played in school theatrical productions.
Drama teacher Heather Capece thanked Ms. Caruso and Ms. Floyd’s parents for supporting their children. The parents showed up for every performance, she said, and also traveled with the students to Scotland when the school performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
During the ceremony, Mr. Steedman held a moment of silence for charter school community members who died over the past year: Laurie Lindeen, an English teacher, Robert Moore, the first director of the school, Jeannie Lythcott, one of the school’s founders, and Sidney Morris, a school founder and teacher.
The audience also applauded Karin Nelson, a faculty member who is retiring.
Both students gave graduation speeches.
Ms. Caruso reflected on being one half of a graduating class.
“It means we never had to fight for attention or friends, but it also means we had nowhere to hide. In a way, that’s what made it so special,” Ms. Caruso said. “Every success and challenge since kindergarten, we went through together, and I wouldn’t take that for anything.”
Ms. Floyd thanked their teachers and family for their support.
“I came here not knowing what I would find, and now I leave carrying more than I ever imagined,” Ms. Floyd said. “Thank you for the love, the lessons and the journey. I will carry it with me always.”
Kenneth Vincent, an art teacher who taught both students and was Ms. Floyd’s advisor, delivered the commencement address.
“Morgan and Quinn, thank you for being exactly who you are,” he said. “We can’t wait to see how greatly you shine as you go on.”
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