Mount Everett Regional School graduated 37 seniors on Saturday at Tanglewood in Lenox.

Valedictorian Catherine Makuc asked the class to remember that they have now become the role models of the younger generation. See more photos here. 

LENOX, Mass. — Generations of Mount Everett Regional School alum gathered Saturday to celebrate their latest members: The class of 2025.

It was noted that despite the clouds, there was a lot of sunshine on the Tanglewood stage as 37 students received diplomas. Principal Jesse Carpenter, the father of a graduate, has spent 31 of his 51 years on earth at the Sheffield school.

"Mount Everett is a small, tiny community that cares about each other. The teachers and staff truly care about the students and each other, the students care about each other, and the students care about all the adults in the building. Eagle Nation is a real thing. Many of us graduate and stay in the community and raise families, and send our children to this unique school. I'm one of those people," he said.

"… I met my wife in ninth grade in math class. All my siblings graduated from Mount Everett and went on to do great things. My mother worked as our first culinary arts teacher. I was hired first in 1998; she came after, and in about 45 minutes, my third child out of four will have graduated from Mount Everett. This is a special community we live in, a community that supports our schools and our students."

Co-graduation coordinator Neil Barberi and Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee Chair Arthur Batachhi noted that they are also Mount Everett graduates. Valedictorian Catherine Makuc has watched "at least half a dozen" of the school's senior classes walk across the stage.

"Many of you have attended at least one graduation here, or maybe you said goodbye to seniors on their last day of school. Those were the moments as underclassmen when we wished to be in their places," she said.

"…Each time I watched a senior class leave Mount Everett, I found myself wanting to be like them. Not simply because they had more freedom, but rather because they seemed to have the rest of their lives planned out, could find success in everything they did, and would be loved by all. True role models, some might say."

She added that everyone can be a role model to someone else, "and we, the graduating class of 2025, are not the exception."

"Today, we are young high school graduates, and sitting in that audience are people who see us as role models. Most likely a younger sibling, friend, or classmate, but it could be a teacher or parent who truly believes in the good you will do in the future," Makuc said.

"And just maybe, it's someone who is a stranger to you. An underclassman who saw the go-kart you helped build and wants to do the same, or another person who watched you in the band and choir concert and now dreams of performing like you. A student who passed your painting in the hallway and decided to take an art class. A young kid on the bleachers when you won the baseball game for your team, who you've now inspired to play next year. You may not believe me right now, but if you look carefully, you'll see all the ways you've impacted another person's life."

Salutatorian Sage Marchione reminded fellow graduates that "From this moment on, your life can be whatever you make it out to be."  

"Whether you are headed to college, into the workforce, or just ready to enjoy yourself, I know each and every one of you will do great things when you put your minds to it. I hope you look back on your time in the school and see how much you learned, how many goals you accomplished, and use that knowledge to set new goals for yourself," she said.

"As we journey beyond this high school experience, I encourage you all to build the life you want, not that others want for you. You don't owe it to anyone to become a different person than you want. I hope that you build a life that you enjoy, one that is happy enough that you don't need a vacation from it. I encourage you all to surround yourself with people who support and appreciate your goals and accomplishments, whether they share them or not."

The Principal's Leadership award was given to Leslye Bautista-Cruz, the Massachusetts School Administrators Association's Student Achievement Award was given to Tyler Nourse, the Mount Everett Student Council Award of Goodness was given to Evelyn Vollmer, and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award was given to valedictorian Catherine Makuc.

Logan English performed the national anthem, and the ceremony included performances from the Mount Everett band and chorus.

"As you leave this place with your diplomas in hand and dreams in your heart, my call to you is this: be thoughtful in your choices, be brave in your convictions, and be grounded in the values that make you who you are," Superintendent Beth Regulbuto said.

"Write those values in pen, not pencil. Let them guide your steps, especially when the path isn't clear, because in the end, the measure of your life won't be how far you go, but in how true you made to yourself along the way. Congratulations, class of 2025, we are so proud of you, and we cannot wait to see how you lead with heart, with purpose, and integrity."

The class of 2025 awards and scholarships can found here. 

Mount Everett Regional Class of 2025

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