Despite a persistently fierce wind that challenged morterboards and balloons, robes and ribbons, 315 Northfield High School graduates walked across the stage at Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon to receive their diplomas.
NHS principal Shane Baier delivered the opening remarks to the assembled crowd in the stadium and on chairs on the field. Baier referenced the John Mayer song, “Waiting on the World to Change” and told the graduates to stop waiting and be the change instead.
Claudia Gonzalez-George, chairperson for the Board of Education, gave her remarks first in Spanish then in English. Gonzalez George told the graduates “We are ready to walk with you into the future because we believe in you.”
Three graduating seniors shared their wisdom: Patricia Owusu, Xochitl Valdez and Cody Kaslow. Owusu recalled that her fellow classmates were faced with budget cuts junior year and advocating for a new ice arena this year. Her attempt to start a book club as the Black Student Union leader taught her “the pitfalls of passivity.
Xouchil, who is originally from Mexico, recalled that her first English lesson in Northfield schools began with saying hello, a word she had trouble pronouncing. Kaslow said that if he had to describe his fellow students in one word it would be resilient.
Physics teacher Noah Gagnon delivered the commencement address.
School Board members Claudia Gonzalez-George, Corey Butler, Amy Goerwitz, Ben Miller, Jeff Quinnell, and Jenny Nelson awarded the displomas during the class presentation. Northfield High School assistant principals Rico Bohren and Becca Bang alternated in announcing the name of each graduate, which drew celebratory cheers from the crowd.
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