Southeastern Regional High School Class of 2012 'Sets Sail' into New Beginnings

The rain held out Wednesday night and gave way to clear skies and bright futures ahead as 's Class of 2012 walked across the stage and received their diplomas.

In total, 277 students from nine different communities graduated and also received Vocational Certificates of Attainment in a variety of different trades.

"You are here tonight because - instead of letting the seas and winds float you along a more traditional path, you decided to adjust your sails and apply at Southeastern," Superintendent Luis Lopes said in his welcome address.

Lopes spoke along with the Class President Nicole Spano of Brockton, Valedictorian Tom O'Neill of East Bridgewater and Southeastern Regional School Committee Chair Mark Linde of Brockton.

Linde thanked the Southeastern Regional School Committee members, who were in attendance at the ceremony.

"I stand before you and salute all of your outstanding efforts," Linde told the graduates. "Graduation is indeed a wonderful day and is a beginning and not an end to life's journey."

Spano, who, as the salutatorian, also led the Pledge of Allegiance, encouraged her classmates to take chances during her class president speech.

"You may fail once, twice or maybe a hundred times, but if you don't fail, how will you ever know that you have truly succeeded?" she said. "What's important is that even if you strike out, you improve your swing and take your next at bat."

In O'Neill's valedictorian speech, he described his reservations about coming to Southeastern, but said he knew for sure this past year that he made the right decision.

The academic standout will be attending Philadelphia University in the fall to study Environmental Sustainability.

"I questioned myself on whether or not I had made the right choice by coming here," he said. "It wasn't until this past year did I realize that I had made the right choice. I know because of the experiences I've had, the people I've met, and the friends that I've made. I have learned a lot here, and if there is one thing I can walk away with, its knowing what I want to do."

Graduates received their diplomas from Principal David Wheeler in the order of their shop.

They received Vocational Certificates of Attainment from Environmental Engineering, Automotive Technology, Administrative Technology, Cabinetmaking, Collision Repair, Graphic Communications, Health Services, HVAC & Refrigeration, Marketing, Metal Fabrication, Plumbing, Visual and Performing Arts, Early Education and Child Care, Construction Technologies, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Design and Visual Communications, Electrical, Engineering and Civil and Architectual Drafting, Engineering in Electronics, Engineering in IT, Engineering in Legal and Protective Services or Engineering in Machine Technology.

Lopes ended his speech with a quote from Mark Twain.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones you did do," he said. "So, throw off your bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."