ROCHESTER — The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School class of 2025 reminisced over years of tests, trials and triumphs at their commencement ceremony on June 5, finally saying goodbye to “this little gem in the woods.”

“As you leave this little gem in the woods today with a diploma in your hand and a future ahead of you, remember who you are, where you came from, how you will live out there, how you will love, how you will lead, because that’s what lasts,” said Superintendent Aaron Polansky.

Valedictorian and graduate of the automotive department Madison Burnham recalled the embarrassing moments of early high school and how much the class has grown since then, remembering the struggle to find classes as a freshman, “awkward” school dances and the tests they studied for and the ones where they didn’t.

“We are ready to lead, to learn, to fail and to try again,” said Burnham.

Class president and culinary program graduate Julia Raposo promised the audience and her fellow graduates that her speech would be “shorter than the lunch lines in the cafeteria.”

Raposo reminded her class that their experience at Old Colony will always be a part of them.

“As we prepare to go our separate ways, whether college, trade school, military service or the workforce, remember that the world is full of infinite possibilities, and remember you will always be a part of the Old Colony community,” she said.

Culinary graduate Abigail Dawicki, who sang the national anthem at the graduation ceremony, said she looks forward to finding community at Bridgewater State University where she will attend in the fall.

“[It feels] so good [to graduate,] especially with all the people that we spent four years together with. Culinary is definitely a family for us,” said Dawicki.

Graduate Duncan Matterazzo, who studied in the culinary department, described the feeling as surreal.

“I honestly feel like I’m dreaming at the moment. I’m shaking a little bit. I can’t tell if I’m scared or excited, but who cares? They’re pretty much the same thing,” he said.

As the graduates prepared to depart from Old Colony as students one last time, Polansky reminded them that the people in their lives should always be prioritized over success and personal accomplishments.

“Remember this: Always put people first. Your GPA, your resume, your accolades, they may be important, but relationships are everything. They don’t just matter. They’re the most important thing,” he said.