WESTFIELD – Awards were bestowed, staff and teachers thanked, and creativity shared at the Westfield High School senior assembly on Friday morning.
Student Council president Andrew Burrage received the Bronze Tablet award. Burrage was one of three finalists announced in May. The other two finalists were Daniel Gosselin and Anthony Riga.
The Bronze Tablet is awarded annually at the senior assembly to that member of the graduating class “who has done the most for the welfare, good name, and progress of Westfield High School.” The senior class voted on the list of 24 semi-finalists who were nominated by the faculty.
During his speech to the class, Burrage, who will be attending Providence College in the fall, made some fun of the high school’s issues, referring to the “built-in sauna on the third floor, the free petting school of insects, and clocks that have the ability to stop working” at will.
“Let’s live in the moment and enjoy each other for one last time,” Burrage said.
Other speakers at the assembly included Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, who was introduced as a 1981 Westfield High School graduate.
“I will save the 3-hour speech for tonight,” he said, referring to Friday night’s graduation. He told the students to applause that he obviously needs to put a P.A. system and air conditioning in the city budget.
The assembly began by Principal Dennis Duqette asking for a moment of silence “for those who could not be here with us today.” The solemn moment was following by the singing of the National Anthem by senior Madeline Lukomski, accompanied by senior Nathan Dargie on keyboards.
Duquette then recognized the Pro Patria seniors who have committed to service in the Armed Forces. Recognized were Zachary Albano, Virginia Military Institute Marine Corps ROTC, Christopher Crean and Connor D’Onofrio, U.S. Marine Corps, Emily Cyrankowski, U.S. Air Force, Madison Eline, Norwich University Army ROTC Corp of Cadets, Christopher Hale, U.S. Army, Benjamin Jury, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colby Lurgio, Brendan Paradis, Matthew Reynolds, and Imalay Vargas, U.S. Air National Guard; Michaela Neuzil, Westfield State University Army ROTC, Kyle Priest, Taylor Smith, and Joshua Weaver, U.S. Army National Guard.
Senior Class officers Devon Kurtz, president, Kelly Michonski, vice president, Morgan Sanders, secretary, Michael Visconti, treasurer and Eileen Fitzgerald, historian took turns at the podium, recognizing people who had been instrumental to the success of their class.
Gifts were given to school administrators, guidance counselors, secretaries and custodial staff. Westfield High School retirees were acknowledged and thanked. Retiring business teacher Dana Geis was thanked for being the commencement speaker at graduation.
Also recognized were parent volunteers to the senior class, who were called up one by one and given hanging baskets of flowers. The parents were surprised and moved, commenting as they passed how unexpected the honor was.
Singled out for recognition by Eileen Fitzgerald was Vice Principal Jack Dougherty, who she said had been the sole administrator consistent through their four years at Westfield High School.
Dougherty also had a featured role in the senior skit, where his long suffering was parodied by Nathan Brady. Also featured in the skit was Principal Duquette, who was portrayed by Daniel Gosselin wearing a bald cap and carrying a stuffed puppy in honor of Jake the dog.
Also in the program, Duquette gave out the first annual Jake Awards to nine seniors who displayed loyalty, trust, patience and compassion, traits modeled by the beloved service dog. Jake award winners were Sarah Farnham, Andrew Peloquin, Ellie Dufraine, Griffin Massey, Eileen Fitzgerald, Grace Silva, Sarah O’Neil, and Dan Gosselin.
Also performing at the event was the high school band and choir, which seniors joined for a last song, and the dance troupe.
Class advisors Merylinn Asselin and Kristin Puleo introduced the senior video, created by Austin Perry, Tyler Zering, Gabby Rivera and Kate McCabe, before relinquishing their senior advisor duties to Lisa Stryscharz and Benjamin Hatch, class advisors for the Class of 2017.
The class then marched out to prepare for the graduation ceremonies later in the day.
