Dighton-Rehoboth Grads Look Ahead

Valedictorian Emerson Maccarone and Salutatorian Richard Curtis are graduating at the top of their class from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.

“I was definitely happy that all my hard work had paid off,” said Maccarone on learning about the honor.  Maccarone played soccer for three years and was Captain of the Track and Field team, where she broke two school records in the 800 meter and 1000 meter dash.

In addition, Maccarone was a member of DECA, the school’s business club and traveled to Florida to compete in the Apparel Accessories/Marketing category after winning a state competition. “(DECA) was a big part of my (high school experience) because it kind of opens me up to something totally different,” said Maccarone, who plans to study physics at Villanova University in the fall.

Maccarone praised the teachers at Dighton-Rehoboth for helping the seniors with their AP exams while separated due to the coronavirus pandemic. “They gave us a lot of practice and were really able to alter their plans,” Maccarone explained. “As a senior class, we’ve definitely come together during these times.”

Curtis credits his teachers and his classmates for his status as Salutatorian. “I couldn’t have done it without all the support from everybody else,” Curtis said. “They were all very kind and supportive of me.”

Curtis was a member of the school’s Cross Country team, the Winter Track team, the Spring Track team, the Math team, as well as the National Honor Society.

Curtis has been accepted at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he plans to study mathematics. However, he is also on the “waitlist” at Harvard, which is his first choice.

Curtis advises next year’s seniors to respect everyone around them. “Everybody will help each other,” Curtis added. “It’s a group effort really. I think respecting each other and having that good connection between you and your classmates and your teachers” is most important.

Maccarone enjoyed spending time with her classmates at events like tailgate parties before school football games. She encourages the senior class of 2021 to attend as many school events as they can. “That passion for school spirit really brought us together,” Maccarone said of her class. “Just being together and doing these things together I think really made my senior year.”