Westbrook High School (WHS) seniors were blessed with one last Friday together as the Class of 2023 crossed the stage and received their diplomas during a graduation ceremony on June 16.

Unfortunately, due to the rain, the Westbrook High School seniors and their guests were forced to have graduation in the gym, but the rain did nothing to dampen the mood of the day. The 66 members of the senior class donned their caps and gowns at WHS and took their seats to sit patiently through one last round of speeches before saying goodbye to one another.

Class President Margaret Izzo welcomed attendees and reminded the class of the journey it took to get to graduation day.

“It is hard to believe that we are celebrating our graduation. While the road to get here wasn’t always smooth, the bumps in the road made us stronger both mentally and as a class,” said Izzo.

Principle Tara Winch reminded the class of the lives they’ve touched already and asked that they bring that effect into the world.

“By just being you, you are the blessing. Your effort to touch someone’s life makes a difference. May you appreciate the opportunities provided to you in high school, and may you seek them out as you venture out into the next chapter of your lives,” Winch said.

In his speech, Salutatorian Vincent Naccarato reminded his classmates to remember the importance of the relationships they had formed during their time together.

“Thanks to Westbrook’s close-knit community, we all remain close friends today. I would like to conclude by saying there are 22,900 high schools in the US with over 5 million students, and I wouldn’t trade this one for any other. I’m beyond grateful for all the experiences and opportunities that Westbrook offered me over the last 13 years,” Naccarato said.

In her valedictorian speech, Myan Nguyen quoted the Little Prince by telling the graduates, “Only the heart can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye,” and encouraged them to find what is essential to their own hearts.

Board of Education Chair Dr. Kim Walker and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristina Martineau also shared remarks before the graduates were handed diplomas.

Finally, shortly after Nguyen crossed the stage and received her diploma, it was time for the moment that the students had worked so hard over so many years for:

Winch proclaimed the graduates the official Class of 2022, and the air was filled with flying caps and cheers.

To see more photos of Westbrook’s commencement ceremony, check out this gallery from the event at: https://www.zip06.com/photo-galleries/20230620/westbrook-high-school-2023-commencement/