King Philip Sees Off Class Of 2011 in Sunday Graduation

Friends and family crowded the stands at the school's football field Sunday to witness the King Philip Class of 2011 bid farewell to their school.

The seniors, garbed in green and white caps and gowns, entered the field to the familiar strains of "Pomp and Circumstance." They came in as students, but left as alumni.

Class officers and school officials offered words of congratulation and advice.

Salutatorian Victoria Mariconti spoke about the importance of being united as a class.

"It's been the pleasure of a lifetime making this journey with you. I only wish I got to know you better," she said, addressing the class. "Now, I see no groups and I feel no walls. We are one in joy, one in celebration and one in the knowledge that each second brings us closer to separation."

She said the soon-to-be graduates should celebrate those in the community who helped them on their way.

"Let now be the moment we stand as one, victorious warrior," she said.

Class President Michael McGrail noted that this was the first class educated entirely in the new King Philip building.

"Today is a special day, not only because we're graduating from school, but because we're graduating from our school," he said. "With the support of our parents, teachers and friends, we made it here today."

Valedictorian Colin Shipley urged his class to seek out adventure. He compared life to a game of "Minesweeper."

"It's almost inevitable that, at one point, all our strategies will fail, and we have to make a guess," he said. "With failure, though, comes a greater knowledge of what it takes to succeed."

He asked the seniors to find their passions.

"As a wise man once told me, pleasure is ephemeral, passion is eternal," he said.

District Superintendent Elizabeth Zielinski closed out the speeches, calling on the class to remember the moments that led to this, the culmination of years of effort.

"Life is the transition from one point to the next," she said. "I want you to enjoy today, but I want you to remember that tomorrow is a day of transition."