LENOX, Mass. — The 126 graduates of Monument Mountain Regional High School were reminded of beginnings and endings, the perseverance they will need in the years ahead and the knowledge that they have been given a strong education to build on. 

 

And what it means to be a Spartan. 

 

The Great Barrington school's 58th graduation ceremony took place in the Shed at Tanglewood on Sunday afternoon, finishing up in time for yet another weekend rain to come down, sending graduates and family members off to their vehicles with umbrellas held high. 

 

It was the end — the end of four years of high school but the beginning of something new, said co-valedictorian Tessa Baldwin. Struggling to come up with a speech — her fellow speakers would highlight their own difficulties — Baldwin fell back on the five-paragraph essay she's learned. 

 

Her thesis was simple: "We will all encounter beginnings in some unique sequence and combination. Each of us graduating seniors will meet new people, try new food, take new classes, live away from our families for maybe the first time, and many of us will also change our minds a couple times about what we want to do for the rest of our lives and hopefully figure out our priorities," she said. "But of course, these beginnings depend necessarily on endings, which is what we're seeing today, both good and bad endings."

 

Their four years at Monument shaped them, and it affects will linger, Baldwin continued, using her brother who graduated in 2017 and her father in 1977 as examples. 

 

"We may be one of the last classes to enjoy the rustic charm of our current building," she said to laughter, "but the beautiful campus and surrounding landscape will still be there long after we leave. Additionally, the relationships we formed in high school won't just evaporate, and neither will our memories or habits. 

 

"Whether or not you enjoyed your experience at Monument, it did shape you, just like it did every single one of us, and if your memories are fond enough, you might come back to visit and watch a football game or spring musical, and maybe you will get the chance to remember what it was like to be a Spartan."

 

Salutatorian Liam O'Gara said he was "shocked and nervous" to find he would be speaking to "such a remarkable class."

 

 "Many things will be difficult and test your patience in life and will take a lot of time and effort to fix and work through," he said, referring to his experience in trying to change an incorrect oil filter in auto class. "However, every struggle is worth it. Every uncomfortable thing you do can be beneficial to you. You'll be able to change your oil better next time and the once difficult thing has become less challenging the next time around. 

 

"Perseverance may not be everything, but whether it is completing school assignments or changing oil filters, it has led me to this fortunate opportunity to be able to speak to all of you."

 

Superintendent of Schools Peter Dillon also described the class of 2025 as "remarkable."

 

"You earnestly partnered with us to make Monument better as you grew, with learners and leaders, you conducted research, led the Student Advisory Board, held protests and pushed us to support your growth in both challenging and uncertain times, you've impressed us and each other in classes on fields, courts and stages and how you've stood up for what you believe in and for each other," he said.

 

"The resilience and determination you've all shown will continue to serve you well. Thank you for being good to each other and for all you've contributed to monument mountain. Visit us, inspire us and Godspeed you."

 

The high school chorus sang "Underneath the Stars," and the band played the national anthem and pomp and circumstance. Stephen Bannon, chair of the School Committee presented the diplomas as each student was announced on stage. 

 

"I urge you to continue to strive to learn as much as you can every day, no matter where the future takes, you build on what you have learned in our district," said Bannon. "You're only at the beginning of what you are capable of accomplishing. 

 

Co-valedictorian Max Wood also picked up on how Monument had shaped this class, and called on its members "to continue to strive to learn as much as you can every day, no matter where the future takes, you build on what you have learned in our district. You're only at the beginning of what you are capable of accomplishing."

 

Wood implored the graduating class to give back to a community that had "uplifted" them.  

 

"Do not forget to give back to the school that raised you, the teachers that educated you, the towns that gave you a voice, continue to give back to Monument Mountain," he said.  "This fall, there will be a vote for a new school. I encourage all the young people right now, whether you're a rising senior, very soon to be graduate or alum, please vote. ...

 

"We all have the power to give back to this community in the largest way imaginable. I hope that Monument's graduating class of 2033 will be thanking us as a result."

 

Principal Christopher Barnes recalled the day a fire alarm went off, sending the students out into the frigid Berkshire winter. It was the seniors sitting before him that set the tone that day, he said.

 

"Being a Spartan means embodying characteristics of the ancient Spartans, such as self discipline, austerity, frugality, bravery and a focus on duty and service," he said. "These characteristics were illustrated by our student body. ...

 

"Our seniors exemplified discipline, duty and service on a cold winter days, but on many, many other occasions as well, which is illustrated those banners in the gymnasium, through all of their efforts, the work, the challenges, through their amazing accomplishments in academics, the arts, athletics and service, we see the embodiment of characteristics of what it means to be a spark."

 

He issued a call of action to the class to take those Spartan qualities out into the world: "Thank you for going out into the world to solve problems, to serve and to care for others and to do good work."

 

Then with a count of three, the tassels were moved from right to left and caps were tossed into the air.