LAKEVILLE — Class president Mason Macuch summed up the bittersweet mix of emotions that were surely shared amongst his peers during the Apponequet Regional High School graduation ceremony on June 7, with fitting lyrics from the rapper Macklemore.

“Someday soon, your whole life's gonna change. You'll miss the magic of the good old days,” Macuch quoted. 

He recalled during his speech the countless times he heard his classmates say over the last year, “I can’t wait for this to be over. I can’t wait to graduate.” 

Noting how quickly a thirteen-year chapter had come to end, he encouraged his peers to be more patient as they go through the next one. 

This time, he said, “I can wait. I can wait to see what you all accomplish.” 

The moment was certainly bittersweet for friends Shea Gorman and Molly Herrald. Both recalled how their class was divided into two cohorts freshman year due to COVID-19 protocols. 

Seeing everyone together on the field during the ceremony made the moment that much more significant, said Gorman. “It’s been a really great experience, all four years, and I’m really proud of us.” 

“It’s surreal,” said Herrald. “It really went by too fast.” 

Herrald will be going to Assumption College in the fall to study psychology and Gorman will continue her studies at Bridgewater State, where she will major in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

During her speech, valedictorian Morgan Hayward also shared some words of wisdom with her classmates as they embark on this next step.

Hayward is president of the National Honor Society. She also served as captain of both the track and field and soccer teams. And while she has certainly earned her fair share of labels,  she urged her classmates to define themselves in a different way in this next chapter. 

The answer to the question “‘what kind of person do you want to be?' is much more important than ‘where are you going to school?’ or ‘what are you going to do?’” she said. 

In this next phase, she said she hopes her classmates “recognize people for who they are and not what they do.” 

The advice was timely as some expressed uncertainty regarding the next chapter. “It’s a little bit scary but I’m kind of excited,” said senior Ethan Clarke. “I just have to adapt to what comes at me.”

Salutatorian Kristina Jorge encouraged students to remember that even as they take this next step, “Apponequet spells home.”