In Tragedy, Stoughton HS Class Of 2018 Came Together

BROCKTON, MA — It’s no secret that this school year was a difficult one for the students and graduates of Stoughton High School. As Valedictorian Jai'el Toussaint pointed out at Thursday night’s graduation ceremony at Brockton High School, there was divisiveness, racial tension, and more which plagued the school.

“Instead of talking about those issues, we settled on ignorance. It wasn’t until we experienced tragedy that we became unified. We lost four amazing black men way too soon,” Toussaint said.

Christopher Desir. Eryck Sarblah. Nicholas Joyce. David Bell. They were the teenagers who lost their lives on a Saturday evening in East Bridgewater. They were also the ones who helped bring together a school and a community.

"The lost unified Stoughton in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. It didn’t matter what race, gender, sexual orientation, religious, or political beliefs you identified with, everyone mourned the same," Toussaint said. "The unity that came from that event tells me that at our very core, lies compassion. I say to you let us keep that same energy. While we may not have to agree on everything, let us be mindful of our words. Let us articulate our differences and a healthy space and let us be the generation that can have those difficult conversations."

In Toussaint's own words, Stoughton has been good to him. The town and the high school have been places to cultivate friendships, the drama department provided a safe space for him, it's where he found his sweetheart and fell in love with math. But for as great as Stoughton is, he encouraged the Class of 2018 to grow.

"We know more than ever that tomorrow is not promised and that is the gag, but my hope for you is that you seize every opportunity that presents itself. And on the days you fall short, in the words of LeBron James, 'be better tomorrow,'" Toussaint said.

Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller said she threw out her original speech of advice through the quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt in exchange for a message about love.

"Tell the people who matter to you that you love them. Do it today, don’t wait. Everyday show love to those who are around you. Hold doors, speak kindly, forgive, call home just because, be positive, live love, really live it," Miller said.

Alexander Soto, the president of the student council, encouraged everyone to change while never forgetting where they came from.

"The one thing you have 100 percent control over when going through a big change is yourself. Not everything will work out the way you want it to but the attitude you have towards the change will shape how you grow. Look at the bright side, even in sticky situations. Let the fear turn into growth and remember that you’ll always have Stoughton to come back to for support because once a Knight, always a Knight," she said.

According to Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi, Stoughton High School seniors were accepted to 114 colleges and universities. About 77 percent of the class will attend college, with 61 percent heading to four-year schools, 16 percent to two-year schools, and 3 percent to tech schools. Five graduates are on their way to the military. The Town of Stoughton and friends of the Stoughton Public Schools awarded $162,000 in scholarship money and the 114 schools of higher learning have awarded $6.4 million in financial aid to the Stoughton graduates.

Image via Stoughton Public Schools