The 143rd Walpole High School Graduation Ceremony was held on Sunday, June 4 to honor Walpole High School’s Class of 2017. The event began with the procession of graduates at 1 p.m. followed by a greeting by Principal Stephen Imbusch.
After the the chorus performed the national anthem, senior class president Nathaniel Kelley presented the class gift: two new picnic tables. Next, Salutatorian Emily Hurwitz and Valedictorian Emily Martin spoke both referenced movies in their speeches. Hurwitz quoted “Mean Girls” and told her fellow classmates “the limit does not exist.” Martin referenced “Forrest Gump” and told the audience “life is like a box of chocolates.”
After the presentation of the speeches, Imbusch inducted three former students into the Walpole High School Hall of
Fame, including the current assistant field hockey coach at Princeton University, Dina Rizzo. Rizzo won three state titles with Walpole Field Hockey before graduating in 1998. Rizzo earned 157 caps with the United States national field hockey team and competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Along with Rizzo, Jim Brady was inducted for his civics work. Brady serves as an attorney in Walpole and has also brought in money for many charities in Walpole.
Lastly, Todd Collins was inducted into the hall of fame. Collins, a quarterback, led the Walpole High School Football Team to a state title during his senior year before attending the University of Michigan. After a career in the NFL, Collins is now the quarterback coach at Walpole High School.
After the inductions, Principal Imbusch and other community members commended students with a number of scholarships and awards. One was the Thomas W. Quinn Scholarship. Tommy’s family members gave this scholarship to a number of seniors and white balloons were released in memory of Tommy. Before the awarding of diplomas, Imbusch awarded Tommy Quinn’s parents with an honorary diploma in his memory.
“We were happy that we were able to honor Tommy in the way that we did,” said Assistant Principal Lee Tobey.
To conclude the annual graduation, Superintendent Dr. Lincoln Lynch and School Committee Chair Nancy Gallivan handed out the diplomas. The ceremony ended with the recession of graduates.
“The graduation ceremony was great,” senior James Randall said. “Everyone felt important on a special day.”
