The combined accomplishments of Newton North High School seniors were celebrated in Dickinson Stadium when they became the 166th graduating class, Tuesday, June 2.
“It was really surreal seeing all the people I grew up with around me, many for the last time, which is something that didn’t register for me, and I’m sure many others, until the ceremony itself,” said senior Eric Lam.
The graduate and faculty procession entered the stadium and took their seats as the Commencement Ensemble performed “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar.
Performances of “America the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner” preceded the ceremony.
Newton North Principal Henry Turner delivered a welcome speech, and students from the English Language Learner Program (ELL) delivered greetings to the audience in their respective languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
Speeches from Superintendent Anna Nolin, Class of 2026 president senior Amani Arunga, senior speaker Lucy Howard-Karp, and science teacher Adam Sattler reflected on the seniors’ influential time at Newton North, and the speakers wished the graduates good luck in their future endeavors.
This year’s graduation also marked the end of Dr. Turner’s tenure as Newton North’s principal. He will take on the role of superintendent of Reading, MA schools in the upcoming school year.
“In a way, the fact that Principal Turner was leaving the same year as us made it feel more bittersweet,” said Lam. He said that it felt like Dr. Turner was ‘graduating’ with the Class of 2026, and that he was marking the end of an era.
Shonali Sen is a rising senior at Newton North High School, co-Editor-in-Chief of The Newtonite, and a Fig City News student intern.