SLIDESHOW: Framingham High Class of 2015

Yesterday was graduation for the Class of 2015 from Framingham High School.

On a sunny, Sunday afternoon Framingham High awarded diplomas to 476 students, including Alyssa Berkson, who spoke before the graduates.

“In Framingham we have received an incredible education, lived as part of an amazing community, and had so many opportunities to succeed. But in Framingham, the most important gift we have been given is perspective. Because of the Framingham community, I understand what I have, and I have the drive to take advantage of every last drop of every opportunity I’ve been given. I also understand how much we can do, how much we can give back, how much of a difference we can make. My experiences in Framingham have motivated me to give, and I intend on continuing to give for the rest of my life, and I hope that you all will too,” said Berkson.

Berkson was one of three students who spoke on June 7. Class president Jordan Cline and Victoria Mescall were the other student speakers.

Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott, Framingham High Principal Elyse Torbert, Vice Principal Sarah Redbord and Framingham School Committee member Eric Silverman were the other speakers.

Berkson reflected on the high school’s and the community’s diversity during her speech.

“The most prominent aspect of Framingham is our diversity. We have been able to interact with so many different people with different interests and from different cultures,” she said. “In the Framingham community, everyone can comfortably share their interests and knowledge and be heard with openness and respect. As Framingham High School graduates, we now have the ability to understand so many different people and better communicate with them.”

Berkson was a student in the school district’s two-way bilingual program and her speech reflected her fluency in both languages.

“La programa bilingüe fue una experiencia muy importante en mi vida, y en las vidas de todos nosotros en la programa. I learned Spanish alongside English and Spanish speakers. Todos de nosotros aprendimos juntos. All throughout the 13 years of the program, we have learned about one another, about both English and Spanish languages, and about each other’s cultures. Ahora, podemos ser parte de muchísimos culturas y tradiciones que no podíamos conocer sin la programa. I have eaten arroz con pollo in their homes, and they have eaten kugel and matza in mine,” she told the crowd and the graduates.

“Today is the day we graduate. In a matter of moments, we will receive our diplomas, and then we shall be considered alumni of Framingham High School,” Mescall said yesterday. “We survived the past four years of our lives together. Four years filled with Friday nights up there in the stands, mornings in the grade office, and hours sitting side by side during assemblies. Over the last four years we have had 720 broadcasts of Flyer News, 56 total mid-year and final exams, 14 snow days - 7 of which took place this year, and 9 class of 2015 assemblies. But all these numbers come down to just one. Today is the one. Today is the one last time that we will all be together as the class of 2015.”

Dressed in blue caps and gowns the students each heard their name called and then walked on stage to receive their diploma.

Many of the students’ creativity was displayed on their caps. Click here to view some of the caps at yesterday’s graduation.

“Today is the day we are no longer high schoolers, and the day that we finally graduate. You did it, and you should be proud. We did it together. And I could not have asked for a better class with better people to share these past 4 years with,” said Mescall. “Now that we have left our mark on our hometown - it is time to see what the future holds.”

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Click on the link to view photos from the 2015 Framingham High graduation from Petroni Media Company.