Oliver Ames Class of 2013 Comes Together One Last Time

For 278 graduates at Frothingham Park Sunday afternoon, it was a day to recognize how far they had come together and how much further they will all go.

"We gather today as proof that we've grown together as we prepare for graduation," Oliver Ames Class of 2013 president Nathan Faust told his classmates.

Wearing class colors green and white and with a sign behind the stage donning the phrase "empower each other to become more," the classmates came together for the final time and received their diplomas. In addition to Faust, Stephen Bolea delivered the class address and valedictorian Denali Bennett also spoke. Youth minister John Barata delivered the welcome address.

"We all need to determine what we want and then go out and do it," Bennett said.

All three student speeches touched on upcoming changes and struggles throughout their time at OA.

The class dealt with the loss of one of their own. Devin Ness tragically died of a brain aneurysm earlier in the year. In response, OA students developed various service projects as part of a "Day of Kind-Ness."

"For those of us who didn't know Devin, we did know that he was an extraordinary person and he was one of us," said Bolea. "And, that was reason enough to remember him."

For this class, "extraordinary" seemed fitting.

"You're an extraordinary group of people," Bolea said. "And, I feel proud that for the rest of my life I'll be able to say I am a member of the Oliver Ames Class of 2013."