By Christina Laboissonniere

SEEKONK — The rain did not dampen the mood inside the Seekonk High School gymnasium Friday night as the school’s 43rd commencement exercises took place.

Although the rain forced the ceremony inside, proud parents and family members sat happily in bleacher seats as their children passed a major life milestone and received their high school diplomas.
Principal Marcia McGovern praised the class for being the first graduating class required to complete 25 hours of community service, noting that they well surpassed the required 25 hours.
“You made a difference in the lives of others. We have the utmost faith that you will continue to make the world a better place,” she said in congratulating them.
McGovern encouraged the students on their future endeavors, noting that they will be taking a variety of different paths once they graduate; some entering military life, others entering the work force and some pursuing higher education at institutions such as Arizona State, University of Rhode Island, WPI, Stonehill, Brandeis and Clark University.
In his speech as valedictorian, Joshua Mazick encouraged his fellow classmates to “be yourself,” stating that “the whole goal of life is to find out who you are so you can be yourself.
“Figuring out who we are is pretty much all we do in life,” he said. “Most people do it without even thinking, kind of like going to high school. But the few who do think about it, the ones who understand that it’s the point of life, well, they get to have the must fun because they figure out who they are faster than anyone else.”
In his closing Mazick encouraged classmates to, “be kind, be considerate, be bold, be open to suggestions, be on time and be balanced,” to succeed and fail, and “to enjoy them equally because you usually can’t control them.”
Salutatorian Alicia Tavares emphasized not letting fear get in the way of your dreams.
“If I had let my fear of failure throughout life stop me from experiencing the rewards life has to offer, I wouldn’t be half of who I am today,” Tavares said. As she closed her speech she continued, “We cannot let our fears control us, restraining our maximum potential. We should all take advantage of the opportunities life offers us, because you never know what they might bring you.”
Dr. Emile Chevrette, superintendent of schools, advised the graduates to “be true to yourself, have high expectations, no matter what path you follow you will be successful.”