Upon being pronounced graduates at the close of their commencement June 4, jubilant members of the Middlesex High School (MHS) Class of 2022 throw their mortar board hats in the air, celebrating the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Commencement was in John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) Middlesex High School (MHS) students who graduated June 4 cum laude include, front, from left, Thomas Wilson, Camren Hammond, Alaura Millen, Laney Hall; and back, same order, Darnell Robinson, Abigail Marshall, and Joseph Valencia. Brock Parrish was competing at a state track meet and was unavailable for the photo. Cum laude is a term used for students graduating “with distinction.” Commencement was in John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) Middlesex High School (MHS) students who graduated June 4 magna cum laude, include, front, from left, LaNiya Hundley, Kendall Lucas, Karime Juarez and Lauren Ware; and back, same order, Devan Rutherford, Wesley Butler, Jarrett Williams, Delaney Ruark and Tavish Anderson-Leichty. Magna cum laude is a term used for students who are graduating “with great distinction.” Commencement was in John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) Middlesex High School (MHS) students who graduated June 4 summa cum laude include, front, from left, Emma Oliver, Aniyah Thompson, Autumn Satterly, Haylie Foster; and back, same order, Allison Blake, Salutatorian Virginia Reinhardt, Lillian Taylor, Wyatt Evans, Kaydence Congleton, Callisto West, Ashtyn Franklin and Valedictorian Madysen Davis. Summa cum laude is a term used for students who are graduating “with the highest distinction.” Commencement was in John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) Middlesex High School Principal Susan Fleet takes her traditional “selfie” with the soon-to-be graduates. (Photo by Tom Chillemi)
It’s smiles aplenty as members of Middlesex High School Class of 2022 eagerly await receiving their diplomas. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) It’s smiles aplenty as members of Middlesex High School Class of 2022 eagerly await receiving their diplomas. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) Christchurch School (CCS) graduating student Pierce McKinley Lambert, right, son of Buzz and Robin Fleet (CCS Class of 1994) Lambert of Hartfield, is congratulated by Christchurch Board of Governors Chairman Lynne T. Little during May 28 graduation exercises on CCS Bell Tower Hill. (Contributed) Christchurch School (CCS) graduating student Tanner William St. Louis, right, son of Bill and Jennifer St. Louis of Hartfield, receives his diploma from CCS Head of School JEB Byers during May 28 graduation exercises on CCS Bell Tower Hill. (Contributed). Christchurch School (CCS) graduating student Taylor Nichole Berry, right, daughter of Jonathan and Lauren Berry of Saluda, receives her diploma during May 28 graduation exercises on CCS Bell Tower Hill. Taylor was the female recipient of the Best All-Around Athlete Award at the Senior Awards Ceremony on the night before graduation. (Contributed) Christchurch School (CCS) graduating student Sarah Page Graves, daughter of Nelson and Lee Ann Graves and sister of Virginia Graves (CCS Class of 2020), rings the Second Century Bell during May 28 graduation exercises on CCS Bell Tower Hill. (Contributed). CCS students who won awards at graduation pose with Head of School Jeb Byers and Associate Head of School Dr. Neal Keesee. They include, front, from left, Robert Latane Montague V, Chaplain's Award winner and the grandson of Bob Montague III of Urbanna; Majesty Sari Wilson of Sandys, Bermuda, Bishop's Award winner; Cameron Carlstedt DeVries, grandson of George and Helen DeVries of Urbanna, Progress Award winner; Valedictorian Jackson Edward Kiland, the son of Ing (CCS Class of 1992) and Kristin Kiland of Christchurch; and back, same order, Head of School JEB Byers and Associate Head of School Neal Keesee. The moment was captured during May 28 graduation exercises on CCS Bell Tower Hill. (Contributed)
click the arrows to advance the slider
On Saturday, June 4, at 10:57 a.m., graduation “mortar board” caps were tossed into the air as the members of the Class of 2022 were declared graduates of Middlesex High School (MHS).
The moment marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another for the 72 graduates.
by Tom Chillemi –
Surrounded by family and friends, the graduates filed out of the John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS as a group, perhaps for the last time.
Minutes earlier, Valedictorian Madysen Davis told her classmates, “I know it feels like we’re saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do next, to remind us of who we are, and of who we’re meant to be.” It was a line delivered by actor Gwen Stacy in “Spiderman 2” movie, Davis said.
Also in her address, Davis took a short look back at her time at MHS and the bonds she formed. Davis said she will especially miss Spanish Language Teacher Señora Butler and Guidance Counselor Anne Baltrusaitis. “It’s no longer a summer break from them, and that’s the biggest pill to swallow,” Davis said. “I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in your future and I have enjoyed spending my middle and high school years with you all.
In the stands were many who had watched and guided these graduates through their childhood. There was applause, thumbs up, and tears for this passage. Cameras recorded highlights of this pinnacle of their young lives.
Salutatorian Virginia Reinhardt gave the welcoming address and congratulated her fellow students who experienced the changes during COVID-19. “Our class has endured and overcome exceptional uncertainty and challenges,” said Reinhardt. “Education is about personal growth not just grades. We have adapted and grown in ways we had never imagined. Through it all we have done it together, both triumphs and setbacks, and it’s giving us a bond that is unique.”
The valedictorian is the student with the highest grade point average (GPA) and the salutatorian has the second highest GPA.
MHS Principal Susan Fleet recalled fond memories of each of the 72 students who were about to graduate. Some memories went back to grade school or students that she taught.
Many of Fleet’s memories were of individual personalities of students forged during the past four years at MHS.
Fleet’s trip down memory lane started in 2021 and was so well-received that her memory address takes the place of a featured speaker.
Surrounded by family and friends, the graduates filed out of the John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at MHS as a group, perhaps for the last time.
In the stands were many who had watched and guided these graduates through their childhood. There was applause, thumbs up, and tears for this passage. Cameras recorded highlights of this pinnacle of their young lives.
MHS Principal Susan Fleet recalled fond memories of each of the 72 students who were about to graduate. Some memories went back to grade school or students that she taught.
