Mepham celebrates 81st class of graduates

Wellington C. Mepham High School’s June 30 commencement ceremony marked its 81st.

Principal Eric Gomez addressed the “unique and talented” members of the Class of 2019 by asking them to continually improve and encourage others to do the same.

“A positive outlook is valuable, and it does lead to positive outcomes,” Gomez said. “It also gives you a sense of hope and opens your mind.”

Salutatorian and Class President Gabriela Daza flipped back through the pages of the class’ collective educational history during her speech.

“We all have our daily routines, weekly rituals and annual cycles,” she said. “There’s comfort in them, so we stick to them. But it’s the blips in these patterns that have made our lives so colorful and we are about to get more of them. We get to go forward and move toward something new.”

Valedictorian David Collins compared high school to a level in a video game.

“Today this level ends,” he added. “And our reward is this ceremony. However, in order to achieve the next level, we need to think tactically and act swiftly. And we will need to rely on both old and new allies to lean on when we need them most.”

Board member Nina Lanci addressed parents and jokingly congratulated their role as “semi-retired from parenthood.”

“Whether you’re eight, 18 or 88, your parents just don’t stop parenting,” Lanci said. “They’re in it for the long haul and will be there whenever you need.”