A Hot Time At Belmont High School's Graduation.

The primary purpose of the program for the graduation exercise for the Belmont High School's Class of 2013 was to follow the ceremony and review the list of students taking part in their final function at the high school.

They also made excellent fans for parents, friends and for the students as Wenner Field House resembled one of the many hothouses that once dotted Belmont a hundred years ago.

But despite the 89 degree heat and elevated humidity, the sunny day shared in the brightness of the occasion as students and their families celebrated the conclusion of their collective four-year experience at BHS for 257 seniors. 

Wearing the traditional crimson gowns and hat, the graduates sat at center court of the basketball court as representatives of their class and the administration spoke on their behalf.

"It is your time to enter the world and establish your mark," said Belmont High's Principal Dr. Dan Richards to the graduates in his first exercise in charge of the school. "And above all, be kind to one another. Your time has come." 

"This marks the beginnings of our adulthood; I sure that this is a momentous, if not frightening occasion for all parents here. Rest assure, I am confident that this class is capable of meeting the challenges presented to us," said Class President Danny Dignan.

For Tomas Reimers, one of two seniors – the other was Enchi Chang – who received the School Committee Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship, it was meeting and accepting failure (such as his first test at the high school) is just as meaningful as the successes for the graduates

"We should embrace and celebrate every misstatement, misstep and failure because they made us who we are, and who you are is amazing.”

Then each graduate was brought on the dais to accepted congratulations from Belmont School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Kingston, Richards and the school committee along with an empty portfolio – the actually diplomas were handed out upstairs after the ceremony – to the cheers of the audience. 

When Kingston gave his final charge – the entire exercise took a mere 90 minutes – to the seniors that they were graduates, caps flew into the air and the newly minted graduates and families proceeded outside for a final round of photos and hugs.