The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School graduating class of 2025 was welcomed to the Tabernacle on Sunday by family, friends and the wider Island community for the regional high school’s 66th commencement exercises.
Cheers rang out as the 194 graduates walked down the aisle to their seats, gathering together as a class one last time to receive their diplomas.
Master of ceremonies Josephine Powers welcomed everyone, while guest speaker Kathleen Vieira Da Silva translated the opening remarks into Portuguese. Ms. Powers compared the class to various birds working together and overcoming uncertain flight patterns.
“We have each other, and we have the tools needed to navigate through treacherous waters,” she said. “Each of you has the ability and perseverance to travel through the next part of life with grace, no matter how scary it may look from here.”
Amidst the joy, there was sadness throughout the ceremony as many speeches from students and faculty honored Waylon Madison Sauer, who died in 2023. He would have been graduating with his classmates this year.
Salutatorian Broden Vincent spoke about his cherished memories with Mr. Sauer.
“Thank you so much for being the wonderful person you were and for inspiring me to become a little bit more like you,” Mr. Vincent said. “I wish that I could have said those words to you while you were still here.”
Mr. Sauer was given an honorary diploma by the school, presented by fellow graduates and friends Volkert Kleeman and Emily MacMillan. Mr. Sauer’s father, Daniel, mother Wenonah Madison, grandfather Jeffrey Madison and Waylon’s siblings accepted the diploma to a standing ovation.
“I know he is still here in spirit, walking with each one of us today and always,” Ms. MacMillan said. “We carry his light, his spirit and his love for learning, his big dreams and potential in everyone here.”
Class President Tayna Silva gave a shout-out to some of her classmates and their accomplishments while reminding students that they are worth more than graduate statistics and numbers on a piece of paper.
“Your future is your own,” she said. “It’s not anyone else’s, so continue to dream big and chase after those dreams.”
Co-valedictorians Arianna Edelman and Avery Mulvey echoed themes of gratitude and community in their speeches, and reminisced about various memories classmates had made together throughout their four years at the school.
“The friends we make here on this Island have shaped who we are today, and distance and time will never change that bond that we have created,” Ms. Mulvey said. “My hope at this point is that it made you think about who you would like to thank.”
Superintendent of schools Dr. Richard Smith presented Ms. Edelman and Ms. Mulvey with the Superintendent’s Outstanding Student Awards.
Principal Sara Dingledy presented the Principal’s Leadership Award to Ms. Mulvey, Ms. Silva and Ellie Tomkins. She also presented the Vineyarder Award, which is given to “students who represent the heart and soul of this Island,” to Jameson Whitmarsh and Caiden Gardner.
Mr. Smith spoke on behalf of parents in the audience, as his own son Renny was also graduating.
“To all of our graduates, we love you,” he said. “We are very proud of you. You don’t have to be louder, richer or more followed to matter. You already do, and you already have, and you always have.”
The Minnesingers performed The Parting Glass and Fly Away Home, then the diplomas were handed out one by one, with each student crossing the Tabernacle stage to cheers from the crowd.
When the proceedings ended, Ms. Dingledy gave everyone the okay to turn their tassels from right to left, officially marking them as graduates of the class of 2025.
The crowd erupted in applause again as caps were tossed into the air, and The Spins by Mac Miller serenaded the students on to their next chapter.
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