218 graduate from Tri-County Regional

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School handed out 218 diplomas to the Class of 2016 during the school’s 37th graduation ceremony held on Sunday, June 5, at 12 p.m.

Joining Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray at the stage were School Committee Chair Steven Trask, School Committee Vice Chair Donna Cabibbo, Principal Michael Procaccini, Vocational Director Jean George, Director of Guidance Scott O’Brien, Class Valedictorian Jennifer Bowness, of North Attleborough, Class Salutatorian Thomas Vagnini, of Medfield, and Class President Stephanie Brousseau, of North Attleborough. Due to inclement weather, the ceremony was held inside the school’s gymnasium.

During her valedictory speech, Bowness described high school as a "whirlwind of firsts," highlighting the experiences of completing a research paper, going to prom, and accepting a job offer for the first time. She encouraged her classmates to embrace the unfamiliar and all of the new experiences they will have after graduation.

"Each first is important because even as we grow older, life never stops presenting us with new things," she said. "In college or on the job, we will be confronted by a world that is still somewhat unfamiliar to us. We will be bombarded with firsts that we never even considered. Because we have taken advantage of opportunities and taken chances on new activities, we will be more prepared when we encounter the unknown. When we go for our first professional job interviews, we will be ready and simply demonstrate the professionalism that we have already been developing for four years."

During the ceremony, several students found out they received scholarships and tool awards that were available only to Tri-County students. Similar to scholarships, tool awards are given by local businesses, civic organizations and families to aid students entering the workforce with the purchase of tools of the trade.

One of the biggest scholarships given out at graduation was the Dean College scholarship given annually to one Tri-County graduate. Sydney Berry, of Bellingham, will receive two years of full tuition and fees to the school.

All students who received scholarship money through Tri-County or outside sources were asked to stand during the ceremony. The Tri-County Class of 2016 received more than $1 million in scholarships and tool awards.