Before hard-earned diplomas were handed to the graduating students of Johnston Senior High School last Thursday, Vice Principal Amy Ricketson had a simple request: that the audience members hold their applause until the end.
It was worth a shot.
But as soon as the first name was called, the request immediately went unheeded.
There was just too much wild enthusiasm for the 183 graduates and their brilliant futures for the family and friends in the audience at Veterans Memorial Auditorium to hold back. As Ricketson named each member of the Class of 2025 and their post-graduate destiny – whether it be college, military service, the workforce or another adventure – the auditorium erupted into cheers and whistles, from the front row all the way up to the matinee seats.
Before taking that final walk across the stage and crossing the threshold into adulthood, graduating students heard one last time from the administrators who oversaw their education. Facing rows and rows of his soon-to-be former students, Principal Matthew Velino highlighted the unique potential of each graduate from the podium.
“As I look out into this group of young adults. I don’t just see graduates,” he said. “I see leaders, thinkers, artists, athletes, problem solvers and changemakers.”
Velino, who assumed the role of principal three years ago, told students they must refuse to settle for the status quo as they embarked on a new chapter of their lives. “The world doesn’t need more people content with ‘good enough,’” Velino said. “It needs bold individuals who see what’s broken and step up to fix it.”
The graduates weren’t the only ones celebrating the end of an era that evening. After 15 years of serving Johnston Public Schools as superintendent – a span “almost unheard of in this profession,” Velino noted – Bernard DiLullo delivered his final graduation address before his retirement at the end of June.
DiLullo wasted no time stressing the values he hoped the students would hold close as they entered the adult world.
“Honesty is more than just telling the truth. It’s about being genuine with ourselves and others,” he said. “Closely connected with honesty is morality: the courage to do what is right even when it’s hard. Our morals shape the decisions we make and the person we become. Let’s promise ourselves, all of us, to stay true to our principles, to stand up for justice and to be a force for good in a world that needs it now more than ever.”
Once it was their turn, the student speakers of the evening addressed the audience and their fellow graduates with inspiring, hopeful and often humorous words. Aiden Soto, salutatorian, kicked off his speech with the revelation that he had dreaded having to give a speech since he discovered his class rank. Despite this, he was enthusiastic when discussing the accomplishments of the class.
“I’ve come to understand that success looks and feels different for everyone,” Soto said. “Today, we each have something to celebrate. No matter the path we took, being here means we’ve succeeded in our own way, and that’s what makes this moment so meaningful.”
As both valedictorian and student council president, Lucas Anderson took the podium more than once during the ceremony. In addition to leading the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, he delivered a speech expressing gratitude to his family, friends and teachers, as well as assuring the crowd that success in life would be impossible without the determination to see hard times through.
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