The Medway High School Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony took place on Sat., June 7. The cloudy day did not prevent the seniors from embracing their day of celebration. To start the ceremony, the seniors walked onto Hanlon Field in their caps and gowns, ready to take their seats where they would later flip their tassels. The class of 2025 included 167 students, the majority of whom will be attending a two- or four-year college. There are also nine graduates entering the military. 

MHS Class President Teddy MacDonald opened the ceremony by welcoming the seniors as well as the many staff members and families who attended the special day. 

In his speech, Teddy reflected on the letter he wrote in eighth grade English class to his future self, a tradition Medway has done for many years. He shared how his younger self saw graduation as so far in the future. Teddy said, “If I could write one response to my past self, I would tell him to ‘soak it all in’.” 

Teddy then shared his experience attending and speaking at the Medway High School Alumni Banquet, moved by the heartfelt interactions between alumni who hadn’t seen each other in years, reflecting the relationships and community fostered by Medway High. 

Salutatorian Willem Khoo shared a few words with his fellow classmates. He pointed out that the simple number two does not summarize all of the experiences that made up his high school career. “Can the number two really outshine all of the untold stories of the students in the audience:, of course not,” he said. 

William then complimented all of the talents and skills his classmates have to offer the world.

Sofia Mercier, Honorary Essayist [and past Local Town Pages student writer], took the podium next, starting with a heartfelt and genuine thank you to the parents and guardians, teachers, secretaries, lunch ladies, and custodians of Medway High, describing graduation as “a day for everyone.” She then asked her class, “Please take a moment and think about every individual who has led you to this point in your life”. 

Sofia then proceeded to list a few of these people from her own life, including teachers and staff, who have provided inspiration and acted as mentors in her years at Medway High. 

Sophie Heiden delivered the Ivy Address. She highlighted “the importance of finding the good moments of every day.” In her time as a cross country captain, she started asking her teammates what the best part of their day was. When they would struggle to come up with a reply, she would say “It doesn’t have to be a big moment, but a small moment of happiness.”

Sophie reflected on these interactions and encouraged her classmates to find ways to create happiness for themselves, as well as others. 

Class Valedictorian Riley Ashok not only thanked all of those who helped her achieve great things but used her love for physics as an analogy for the future. She acknowledged her growth and maturity gained in her years at Medway High and how her experiences have prepared her for the future. 

Riley told her classmates to remember their potential and capabilities going into their college and future lives. 

In recognition of MHS students entering the military, Judge Richard Eustis shared a short but memorable story about an experience he had with his friend Billy, and how it taught him to appreciate what might seem like an inconvenience, could, in reality, be a privilege. What is this privilege? Freedom. 

Eustis explained how “Freedom is everything. But it isn’t free. It’s a gift derived from the service and sacrifice of a long line of men and women in the United States Armed Forces.” He then shared his words of appreciation for the nine graduates who would soon be joining the military after graduation. He thanked them for their sacrifice in the name of prolonging the gift of freedom. Medway wishes these nine individuals the best in their futures, and offers an immense gratitude for their commitment to service. 

Every year, graduation day marks a day to be proud of the seniors and all they have accomplished. In addition, it is a reflection of not only the hard work of the students, but the teachers, staff, and parents who have offered their support and encouragement all of these years.