caption, page 1:
Waiting to go get the diploma June 8 at Putnam High. More photos on page 6 and expanded photo gallery Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.

captions, page 6:
The class rock

Left: Waiting until the end for loved one graduating

Below: Mortarboard creativity

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The theme for the speakers at the 146th Commencement of Putnam High School gravitated toward community.
Superintendent Steven Rioux told graduates that it is a team effort that “helps you cross the finish line. “He told graduates two things are important: Friends and finding your passion. “I hope this is a springboard into your future.”
He added they should never forget their community. “Your community believes in you. Give back to your community as your community gave to you.”
Principal Heather Taylor recounted the unique events for the class and made community tangible reminding the class that the class has left its mark on the newly minted “class rock.” She called the Class of 2023 a “selfless and generous group” and noted they performed more than 1,000 hours of community service.
Valedictorian Guineverve Weiker urged her classmates not to get locked into a box. She quoted Harry Chapin: “But your youth is no handicap it’s what makes you thirsty.”
Two students lost during the year were honored: Tyshon Harper and Makayla Requeno.
Award winners: Educator of the Year, Natalie Dash; Citizen of the Year, Shane Donahue; Student of the Year, Emily St. Martin.
Valedictorian:  Guinevere S. Weiker
Salutatorian:  Alishia L. Thompson
Graduates: Jayden Aites, Rafaela Pinto Araujo (H, NHS), Makani Ayau, Samantha Bennett, Jacob Benzie (HH), Shea R. Bernier, Jenny Boriboun (HH), Elysse Christine Britt (HH, NHS), Cheyanne Debold, Rachelle Deloge, Cole Digname (HH), Allyson Michelle DiNola (HH, NHS), Michael T. Ellis (H), Abigail Marie Fitts (HH), Andrew Gabbard, Jack Garcia (H), Kaylee Goding (HH), Alonzo Henries, Rylee Jean Houle (H), Christopher Jones, Naysa Christianna Jones, Raymond Jordan, Sara Mackenzie Lackey.
Also: Dorian Keane Larose, Robert Leo LeBlanc II (HH), Cooper Livingston (HH), Cameron Lowell (H, NHS), Sullivan Xavier MacDonald (H), Jacob Paul Mailloux (HH, NHS), Jason Jomar Negrón Encarnación, Spencer E. Northup, Enrico Gabriel Ong (HH, NHS), Emerald Skye Perry, Angelina Elizabeth Porter (HH, NHS), Daniel Edmund Pratt (H), DeAnn Amber Pringle (HH), Elijah James Prochowski, MacKenzie Reidy (HH), Nicholas Renshaw, Osiris Salcedo, Ella Madison Schoppe (HH, NHS), Hailee Silveira, Kevin William Sirois, Emily Kathleen St. Martin (HH, NHS), Shaina R. Sudol (H), Alishia L. Thompson (HH, NHS), Bailey R. Touchette (H), Hannah Towne, Jacob P. Tremblay, Amy Vongvirath(HH), Eli Wagley (HH), Jayden Walker, Guinevere S. Weiker (HH, NHS), Colin Wojciechowski (HH), Brenden Womack (H), Vincent Young.
H         = Cumulative average of 85% and above
HH      = Cumulative average of 90% and above
NHS    = National Honor Society

..