Class of 2012 Graduates from Milton High School

A cloudy day peaking in the mid-60’s was a cool setting in comparison to past years as held its 142nd graduation exercises in the Copeland Field House. The 234 graduates of the Class of 2012 listened to words of praise and advice before receiving their diplomas Sunday afternoon.

In traditional fashion, School Committee Chair Glenn Pavlicek gave the opening remarks, referencing the importance of the graduation in connection with Milton’s 350th anniversary.

A quick musical composition under the direction of music teacher Rebecca Damiani broke up the speeches.

An unexpected twist on the program was the announcement of
co-Valedictorians. Laura Hess and Rebecca Liberman obtained the same cumulative grade point average and were happy to share the title, each delivering sentimental speeches to their classmates.

“After such a successful past, we look forward to the future,” said Hess. “Time is a medium to be used and we must make every minute count."

Keeping the focus on the concept of time, Rebecca Liberman
commented on the “bittersweet realization” of high school ending. But Liberman also joked with her peers about the ending of “cruel and unusual punishments” of traitorous bell schedules and strict school policies like no hats inside.

“Do not follow a path that someone has set out for you,” urged Liberman, who will be attending Berklee College of Music in the fall.

Ending her speech with the classic saying “You only live once," now a part of a Top 40 song by rapper Drake, Liberman made the crowd laugh and cheer.

Class president Derek Curley also cracked jokes during his turn at the podium; thanking the Milton High staff for “dealing with kids who
think they know everything” and offering a class apology to all substitute teachers in the audience.

Finally, Dr. Joseph Arangio, who finished his first and final year as principal, gave his speech to the class in the form of a countdown. His twenty-two snippets of advice included one-liners such as “be nice to nerds; you’ll probably end up working for one” and “listen to voices of experience."

Arangio ended with his number one piece of advice, “instead of striving to be good looking or a good employee, strive to be a good person."

The presentation of diplomas by Dr. Aranagio along with Vice
Principals Yolanda Beech and Alan Cron brought cheers from all around the Field House, some families even carving out signs of their children’s names.

As the ceremony reached completion, the Class of 2012 threw up their caps in celebration creating, for a moment, a cloud of red and white.