Hoosac Valley Seniors Encouraged to Aim High Beyond Graduation
Valedictorian Kimberly Mach tells the class their goals can be reached with determination. Below, salutatorian Maryn Cappiello says they've already proven they can do hard things. See more photos here.
"Graduation day is finally here," salutatorian Maryn Cappiello said during her address. "The day we've worked toward for the last four years. But let's be honest, this journey has not always been an easy one. For as many great moments we have each had, we've also faced just as many challenges and hard times. Yet, here we are, stronger, wiser, and ready for what's next. Throughout this journey, I've learned that real growth happens when we face those challenges and hard things head-on."
Recalling a 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Retreat, she emphasized this point. She referenced an exercise where students listed a future goal and the obstacles they anticipated facing to achieve it, writing both on a board. They were then instructed to karate chop the board, trying to split it in half.
Cappiello shared that she wrote: Get straight As and finish top five in her class but she also wrote that she was not a strong test taker.
Holding that very board at the podium, Cappiello said she broke it in half on her first try.
"That board was symbolic, but the real challenge was what came after. Late-night study sessions, flashcards, learning testing strategies, and tutoring sessions," she said. "... With determination and perseverance I stand before you today having achieved the two part goal I wrote down that day. I earned straight A's … and I stand here tonight as one of the top five in our class."
She asked the class of 2025 to continue to set goals and break barriers.
"I want to leave you with this message. Set goals, believe in them, work hard and don't quit when it gets tough. Break through your barriers. The ones you see coming and the ones life throws at you," she said. "Every one of us has already faced something in high school that tested us. And while life won't get easier from here, we'll keep getting stronger. We've already proven we can do hard things, and we'll keep proving it. Congratulations Class of 2025. Let's keep breaking barriers."
Valedictorian Kimberly Mach, addressing her classmates, said even those goals that seem far off can be achieved through effort and determination. She said her goal was to be the class valedictorian and through determination and focus, she achieved it.
She reminded her class that they are all capable of great things, even if they seem far away.
"As our class enters college, trade school, the military, or the workforce, I find it important for us to remind ourselves that, through sheer commitment, goals that seem far away can be achieved. Every graduate you see on these bleachers today is a potential college valedictorian, entrepreneur, or general. After graduation, we're starting anew," she said. "The grades we got in sophomore history class won't matter. The most important thing will be the work ethic that we choose to adopt, maintain, or abandon."
With this, she said high school did not fly by, contrary to popular belief. She said her four years included a lot of hard work but other moments as well. She looked back fondly on playing soccer and involvement in student government, both of which have made her feel more connected to her classmates and the school.
Mach asked her classmates to remember these moments as well and not be only focused on goals but happiness.
"However, above all, I would say do what makes you happy," she said. "For some, this may be forgoing a stressful college experience and simply going with the flow. For others, it may be working yourself to the ground to achieve your goals. Either way, the goal of life is to enjoy it.
Class speaker Amiracle Tatro said she was proud of the class of 2025. Alluding to "online zooms and Fortnite with the boys," Tatro said their years at Hoosac Valley were filled with laughter. She said the small but mighty class made their mark.
"I believe we have built something huge here not just in numbers, but impact," she said. "There are 44 of us here tonight. Our group may be small but our imprint is large," she said. "This class before you holds a strong voice at Hoosac Valley."
Tatro noted that the class represents Western Mass wins in lacrosse, basketball, cheerleading and football, as well as state champions in girls basketball and success on the softball field.
On stage, students brought plays to life and performed in a musical with a record number of senior participants.
Beyond extracurriculars, the class of 2025 had a say in what happened at Hoosac Valley through the Student and Adult Advisory Board, also known as SAAB. Tatro said they drove changes such as an outdoor classroom and a longer lunch time. She said through SAAB, the class of 2025 left a legacy at Hoosac Valley for future classes. She said just as important as making these thoughtful recommendations were the teachers and administrators who listened.
The class is filled with leaders that have become a family, she said, and asked the class to remember these connections as they go their separate ways.
"This class is filled with leaders and voices that deserve to be remembered. Through our time spent together at Hoosac Valley we weren't just classmates, we grew into a family. A family that always had each other's backs and never failed to offer support, no matter what," she said. "That may seem strange considering the amount of jokes, chaos and teasing over the years.. But it was all out of love, I think we can all agree that whenever someone truly needed a friend, we were always there for each other."
Hoosac Valley High School Class of 2025
Noah Henry Beliveau
Zachary Ian Thomas Boyles
Trinity Sky Brackett
Ethan Patrick Bristol
Isaac Kojo Campbell
Joseph Kwaaw Campbell
Kylie Jade Cannava
Maryn Catherine Cappiello
Richelle Nicole Carr
Madison Lynn Catalano
Corey James Charron
Madison Joelle Cyrulik
David Matthew Decker
Idahlia Jade Frazier
William Whitney Hakes
Cordelia Robin Huffstater
Madeline Abigail Kelley
Ashlyn Mae Lesure
Kimberly Ann Mach
Cameron Shea McGinnis
Molly Sophia McLear
Emma Rose Meczywor
Aiden Jeffrey Middlebrook
Griffin Michael Mucci
Lilly Rose Neep
Olivia Grace Overlock
Elyse Jean Puleri
Christian Armando Rivera
Kiara Aurora Ryan
Zamira Blair Saimbert
Destiny Elizabeth Sanchez
Collin Eric Scarbro
Rachel Elizabeth Scarpitto
Kenneth Adam Thomas Stevens
Cody Michael Stojda
Christopher Albert Szabo
Clarissa Lynn Tanguay
Miracle Faith Tatro
Jayden Christopher Thompson
Alexander Roberto Vasquez
Mikah Emilio Whitted
Ethan James Wilson
Matthew Stanley Witek IV
Dylan Wojtaszek
Tags: graduation 2025, HVHS,
