New Middleboro High graduates 'blew the doors off' with energy
The cap's message reflected the day's sentiments. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles
Cheers and tears as caps flew.
Students enter the stadium.
Alongside Principal Paul Branagan, Chelsea Levesque receives the diploma for her son Dylan. He was a freshman member of the Class of 2026 when he was struck and killed by a vehicle.
From left, Jenna Tatarczuk, Tessa Generazo and Haley Washburn share a moment.
Proud father Jeremy Soule and brother William Soule congratulate graduate Madison Soule.
Aarav Patel and his proud mother Geeta Patel.
Nichole Wesley shows her family her diploma.
An emotional hug between Hunter Crites and his mother Eileen Crites. 
Beaming graduate Eva Colas and her family.
A poignant message.
Families and friends cheer from the sidelines.
The cap's message reflected the day's sentiments. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles
Cheers and tears as caps flew.
Students enter the stadium.
Alongside Principal Paul Branagan, Chelsea Levesque receives the diploma for her son Dylan. He was a freshman member of the Class of 2026 when he was struck and killed by a vehicle.
From left, Jenna Tatarczuk, Tessa Generazo and Haley Washburn share a moment.
Proud father Jeremy Soule and brother William Soule congratulate graduate Madison Soule.
Aarav Patel and his proud mother Geeta Patel.
Nichole Wesley shows her family her diploma.
An emotional hug between Hunter Crites and his mother Eileen Crites.
Beaming graduate Eva Colas and her family.
A poignant message.
Families and friends cheer from the sidelines.
MIDDLEBORO -- Middleboro High School Principal Paul Branagan wasn’t sure what to expect when the Class of 2026 started their freshman year, he told those attending the school’s graduation ceremony at the school's stadium June 6.
During their crucial middle school years, the students had missed in-person classes during Covid, which turned education on its head and seriously limited social interaction.
He soon found out what the class would be like.
“You entered those doors as if Covid had never happened,’’ he said. Their energy, he told the soon-to-be graduates, “blew the doors off this place.’’
The students’ hard work, determination and willingness to ask tough questions were referenced in speeches through the evening.
Class president Natalie Corey refused to tell her classmates they would go on to do amazing things. That, she said, would be understating the situation.
“You’re already doing amazing things,’’ she said.
She said she looked forward to future reunions so they could share their accomplishments.
Student speaker Edward Parkinson noted that things in life don’t always go as planned. “Sometimes the moments we don’t see coming are the moments that matter most.’’
One lesson learned in high school, he said, is that “it’s OK not to know what’s happening next.’’ What matters is “learning how to keep moving forward’’ even when you don’t know what’s ahead.
Salutatorian Mason Teixiera reminded the students that they "deserve to celebrate us'' beyond cakes and balloons but as a "reminder of what we have accomplished.''
Valedictorian Nina Travers said the class members have "more greatness than you think. Reach a little higher than you think you can.''
Branagan praised the students as “incredible adults’’ who are “ready to take on the world.’’
Addressing the parents, he said that “we are better educators because of your children.’’
Once awards and diplomas were handed out, the Class of 2026, which had stood together through many experiences in sports, on stage and in the classroom, shared one last activity .
They moved their tassels from right to left, the traditional signal of transitioning from student to graduate.
Then they tossed their caps into the air, prepared to leave the school grounds and use their energy to blow the doors off their futures.
