On a warm and sunny June 14 evening, the Old Saybrook High School Class of 2024 gathered for the last time as high school students to cross the stage and receive their diplomas during their graduation ceremony.

On a picture-perfect day, the members of the senior class donned their caps and gowns and headed to the field behind the school to patiently listen to one last round of speeches before saying goodbye to each other.

Principal Joseph Anastasio and Associate Principal David Plotkin told the class how much has changed since they were in high school and offered some advice about navigating changes in life.

“As tremendous changes happen all around us, we are able to make sense of it all, go about our day-to-day, and stay grounded because of our family, our friends, our values, and our community. These are the pillars that support and serve as the foundation of the person you are today,” Plotkin told the graduates.

“It is important to keep these as a foundation and source of support, but you must also tend to them, maintain them, improve them, and love them. If you do so they will continue to help you as you venture through the next stages of your lives,” he continued.

In his speech, Salutatorian Parker Cook reviewed a letter he wrote himself in fifth grade asking if life would get easier.

“I don’t know if things got harder or if I just started caring more, but I don’t mind either way because I am doing what is important to me and appreciating every step of my journey,” he said.

Cook encouraged the class to find what they care about and turn that passion into action.

“As we move beyond high school, I encourage you all to think about what you care about and what you plan on doing about it. Scavenge for the potential in what challenges you, and allow it to transform you to do things you never thought you could. I have seen you all care about things before, and I’ve seen what you can accomplish when you do,” he said.

Valedictorian Connor Cassella reminded the graduates about the characteristics that made them stand out as a class and to utilize those attributes for good.

“Throughout our years at Old Saybrook High School, we have evolved as individuals and as a class. That spiritedness and mischievousness were harnessed in ways that began to present in leadership roles and in passion projects. Our class has really shown exceptionality in a variety of ways where the root of our success has been confidence,” Cassella said.

Later in the speech, Cassella encouraged his classmates to use the memories of growing up in Old Saybrook to inspire them to succeed.

“Wherever you go and whatever you do, do not forget what you have accomplished here and the importance of embracing being yourself. As we move forward in life, whether it be college or a career, confidence, and individuality are skills that I urge you to always lean back on and remember how your time in Old Saybrook shaped the people we are today,” he said.

In a humorous joint speech, class speakers Patrick Sheehan and Lauren Dobratz looked back on all the big and small adventures the class had shared together from kindergarten through senior year.

During the ceremony, Jonah Lafreniere and Will Maselli announced the 2024 class gift is the creation of a fund to meant to help future seniors with financial need pay for class activities so that nobody has to miss out on any events that make high school so special. After the gift announcement guest speaker Meghan Payne was invited to the stage to address the class.

“As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, remember that your passion is your greatest asset. It is what sets you apart, what fuels your drive, and what brings meaning and fulfillment to your existence. So, nurture it, cherish it, and let it be the guiding force that leads you to greatness. You all have greatness inside of you; I’ve seen it,” Payne said at the end of her speech.

Since new Superintendent of Schools Christopher Drezek has only been in town a few weeks, he surprised the grads by bringing in someone to speak who had known the class longer: former Superintendent Jan Perruccio.

“Thank your parents, your teachers, and all the other kind folks who spent time supporting you over the last four years. And thank your friends and peers for lifting you up to help you get here. Expressing gratitude also helps us grow. I wish you the very best, and follow with interest all you do and achieve. You’re a mighty bunch. I’ll miss you,” Perruccio said.

Finally, shortly after closing remarks from Carli Castro and Scarlett Pauloski it was the moment everyone had waited for.

The grads were proclaimed the official Class of 2024, and the air was filled with flying caps and cheers.