Putnam pg 1 6-20-24
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Savannah Loiselle, valedictorian, outside following commencement. More photos on page 6. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
Putnam High School graduates set out to 'change the world'
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The power of positivity permeated almost every speech at the 147th Commencement of Putnam High School.
Savannah Loiselle, valedictorian, recounted how her 58 classmates learned the importance of perseverance as they began high school during COVID-19.
“We were taught to think critically,” she said. Classmates have the power of positivity. “Success is not linear,” she said. “We will navigate with courage and determination. Our adventures are just beginning,” she added.
Salutatorian Lily Goyette told her classmates she values the connections made in high school. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done — even outside the classroom.”
School officials and even the Citizen of the Year, Willie Bousquet, echoed that pride in the class contributions to the community.
In accepting the award, Bousquet commended the families on the way the students were raised. “The Class of 2024 should be citizens of the year for all they’ve done for the community,” he said.
In addition to Bousquet’s award, the Student of the Year award went to Melodie Anderson and the Educator of the Year was Melissa Zablonski.
Class advisors were Shane Donahue and Gretchen Hess.
Kayla Pernini read her class ode “The Clipper Ship.”
Award-winning PHS Acapella, under the direction of Skye Shogren, sang the National Anthem and a second special song.
School Superintendent Steven Rioux called the class a community and said their positive attitude” permeates the halls of the school.”
Heather Taylor, principal, noted the positivity evident in the students. “The world awaits. I have no doubt you will discover your purpose and follow your dreams.” Taylor also said four members of the class were entering the military. She said their courage was “an inspiration to us all” and that their community is extremely proud. The teachers, staff and parents “worked hard to get the students over the finish line.”
The chair of the Board of Education, James Purdon III, noted the class strength of character that “will serve you well.” He added, “When we stand together there’s no limit to what we can achieve.” He also called on the graduates to remember that education is not confined to the half of school.
Loiselle’s final words to her classmates: “Let’s go change the world.”
Graduates:
Kyle Adams, Railey Anctil, Melodie Rose Anderson (HH, NHS), Kayley Asberry, Seanmichael A. Beauregard, Iesha Mackenzie Benoit, Trevor James Bouchard, Ava Briere, Trenton Brytowski, Raquel Calderon, Lucian Canova (HH), Lucas Carita (HH), Aysaiah Chavez (HH), Hunter Cleveland, Grace Holly Collins (HH, NHS), CoraRose M. Desrosiers (HH), Brady Devlin (HH, NHS), Robert B. Dion (HH), Zeynep Ekinci, Adam Ellis, Atiana Estes (HH, NHS), Ean J. Falardeau, Natalie Ferreira (H), Katelyn Fitzpatrick, Travis Fredette (HH), Kaleigh N. Fry, Lily Goyette (HH, NHS), Grant Hart (HH), Kylie Howe-Barnett (H, NHS), Sophia Ionkin, Justin E. Jodoin, Jared L. Jordan, Devan Michael Keenan, Elijah Kelly, Gianni LaPorte, Nathaniel Michael Hunter Lazarou (HH), Danielle June Levesque (HH), Draven Levesque (H), Savannah Loiselle (HH, NHS), Brandon Marcelonis (HH), Colin Joseph Russell Martin (H), Pedro Ortiz III (HH), Kaya Pernini (HH, NHS), Jonathan Plante, Jonathan Racine (HH, NHS), Kai Rosé J. Raymond, Ariana Rodriguez, Noah Rudman (HH), Moses C. N. Ryder, Hunter Salvas, Ryan Schwartz, Jack Seiffert (H), Adam Sekula (HH), Josephine Swan Spalding (HH), Jalicia Tais Torres, Natalia Torres, Isabel Vergoni (HH, NHS), Delta W. Wagner (H), Autumn Crystal Wisnieski.
H = Cumulative average of 85% and above
HH = Cumulative average of 90% and
above
NHS = National Honor Society
..