‘Harbor of childhood holds us no more’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — “Authentic voices” and “confidence” were some of inspiring words for the graduates at the 148th Putnam High School commencement June 11.
One bit of that inspiration came from Principal Heather Taylor and her reminiscences of watching Mr. Rogers as a kid.
Rogers’ “authentic voice” reached "millions of children over decades, including me as I sat glued to the screen on those special occasions cross-legged on our living room shag rug (it was orange),” she said. “Fred Rogers showed us that finding our authentic voice isn’t about being the loudest. It’s about speaking your truth with conviction, especially when it matters most.”
She added: “You’re celebrating not just academic achievements. You’re celebrating finding your unique voice in this world and what incredible voices you have developed.” She called it a “journey of uncovering your values, your passions, and summoning the courage to express them, even when it’s really, really hard.”
She read a few of the responses to the challenge given the students to write about “your journey to find your voice at Putnam High School.”
She urged students to protect and nurture the voice they found at PHS as they head out into the world.
School Superintendent Steve Rioux reminded the students of the special community they came from. The community, in raising more than $100,000 for scholarships, showed not generosity. “It showed belief. These people believe in you and they want to see you succeed. He cautioned the students to remain “intentional” in a world transforming the way we learn and the way we connect with one another. He said “be careful of the digital imprint left on you.” He added: “Miss Taylor’s advice about your authentic voice … As AI becomes more embedded in this daily life … it’s ever more important to be intentional.” He challenged graduates to build a strong mind.
Rioux reminded graduates that this is a town where people work hard. A community is “part of your foundation. It’s a town that shows up. It’s a town that believes in education.
“So when you’re moving forward, always remember your community.”
Salutatorian Isabelle Magalhaes recalled that as freshmen they were tasked with writing a letter to their future selves. Reading it four years later she saw how many times she wrote “I don’t know.” She said she and her fellow grads have since “figured out a whole lot more about life.”
Isabel Porter read her Class Ode, titled “Leaving the Harbor.” It poetically described the class journey from the start, the trials they underwent. ”But now we’re sailors ready for anything. No longer bound to the school, this shore. Harbor of childhood holds us no more.”
Valedictorian Madison Lamothe echoed that seafaring theme in her words. She spoke about the lessons learned during high school and noted that the teacher’s smiling face was like a compass, allowing us to navigate unfamiliar seas.“ She said: “Don’t look back. Sail onward, Clippers, to your desired future. You are the one holding the compass.”
The Citizen of the Year award went to Erika Ponciano. The Educator of the Year award went to John Allen and the Student of the Year award went to Madison Lamothe.
Putnam High School’s award winning a capella group sang the National Anthem and “It’s so Hard to Say Goodbye.”
Lamothe also won valedictorian honors and the salutatorian honors went to Isabelle Magalhaes
Graduates include:
Raihden Albino (H); Lucas Benoit (HH); Alex Bissonnette; Natalie Braga; Sawyer Britt (HH, NHS); Leia Kerry Brown; Ahmyas Cardona (H); Brooke Andi Champagne (H); Anthony John Rocco Cosentino (HH, NHS); Owen P. Daley; Aaliyah Daughenbaugh (H); Lillian Ennis (H); Antonio Manuel Furtado (HH); Melanie Savannah Garcia (HH); Caden Gluck (H); Ayva Jane Goguen; Yakelin Gomez Flores (H, NHS); Olivia Paige Hetrick (HH, NHS); Cayden J. Holmes; Logan LaFrance (HH); Deven M. Lamothe (H); Madison Lamothe (HH, NHS); Alexandria Le Landry; Lane LeBlanc; Anthony Thomas Lowell; Isabelle A. Magalhaes (HH); Evan D. Mailloux (HH, NHS); Tim Maltais; Madison A. Marcou; Kaylee M. Mayo (HH, NHS; Edy Eduardo Morente Mendez (HH); Ava Morrison (HH); Dominic John Navedo; Emily Olecki (HH); Jacob C. Olson (HH); Izayah Olson Suarez; Alexus Beatrice Paquin; Nathaniel D. Pearsall (HH); Zoe Ann Pehowdy; Isabel Renaye Porter (HH, NHS); Jamison Riley Proulx (H); Whitney Laure Pynn (H, NHS); Damien R. Shea (H); Gianna Marie Simas; Clara Souza (HH, NHS); Sean Aiden Stamp; Santino Michael Stevens; Hailey G. Summers (HH, NHS); Alex Suzedelis; Gage Tucker; Justin J. Vukas (HH, NHS); McKenna R. Williams (HH); Stanislaus Wolczak; Ava Ariel Wolinski; Jasmin M. Wolinski.
*(H) – honors; (HH) – high honors; (NHS) – National Honor Society.
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More photos on page 4. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Lucas Benoit
Kaylee Mayo was excited
More photos Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photos.