Under a cloudy sky on June 1, 2025, 174 seniors took their seats on the Morgan Bowl field as the Hudson High band played the familiar graduation tune of Pomp and Circumstance. The 116th annual commencement ceremony marked not only the end of high school but the beginning of a new chapter for the Class of 2025.
Benjamin Hillis led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a soulful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Bianca de Oliveira. As families looked on, the clouds held back their rain, though gusty winds swept across the field.
“I’m not wearing my cap—it’s just going to fly away,” joked Senior Class President Marina Salem as she began her welcome speech. Despite the weather , Salem delivered a message of hard work and confidence.
“Keep learning, don’t settle, and surround yourself with people who support you,” she said. “You cannot grow in an environment that holds you back, much like you cannot become better if the people around you are constantly settling for less,” Salem said.
Class Salutatorian Emma Leonardo followed, talking about the different journeys each student took to this moment.
“We each took our paths to get to this point, and we’ll each take our own paths to wherever we’re headed next,” Leonardo said. “When your path gets rough—as it surely will—perseverance and the willingness to do the hard work will get you the furthest,” Leonardo said.
School Committee member Christopher Yates, whose son and niece and nephews were among the graduates, offered heartfelt advice to the graduates, encouraging them to embrace the future.
“Graduates, enjoy this time in your lives,” Yates said. “Work hard in school or in the jobs you’re about to take on—but remember to have fun.”
Quoting Richard Nixon, Yates reminded students: “It’s only a beginning. Always. The young must know it, the old must know it. It always sustains us.”
Yates urged students not to give up when life gets hard: “Don’t get discouraged when life gets tough—it’s all part of the process. Let it all unfold. Never be afraid of something bigger or better than you.”
Superintendent Dr. Brian Reagan echoed the call to action. “The world doesn’t need more people who are content to watch from the sidelines,” he said. “It desperately needs those who are willing to step onto the field—to engage and to lead.”
Reagan quoted anthropologist Margaret Mead, saying, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”
Valedictorian Ben Hillis brought laughter and emotion to the ceremony, reflecting on how much more school had meant than just academics.
“If it was only skill-building and memorization, I wouldn’t care that I’m leaving—and neither would you,” Hillis said. “But I do. I do a lot.”
He shared humorous memories from senior year, including an infamous homecoming moment: “Everybody knows we had homecoming dances, but only we had to see—very unfortunately—Sean twerking in the middle of the dance circle.”
Hillis closed with a bittersweet goodbye to the classmates he grew up with. “Yeah, there will still be study sessions and people to talk to—but it won’t be in ARC. And most importantly, it won’t be with the people I grew up with.”
Principal Dr. Jason Medeiros brought the ceremony full circle, acknowledging the broader community behind the graduates’ success. He spoke of the magic
“The often-quoted adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ appropriately applies to our gathering today,” Medeiros said. “Because if it takes a village to raise a child, it truly takes a community to bring 174 children to the beginning of their young adulthood.”
With a theme of magical accomplishments, Medeiros encouraged the graduate to emabrace the idea ‘ordinary magic’ from Stanford pyschologist to describe the behavior and midsets used to combat routine challenges people face daily. He reminded students that there will always be setbacks, but they are not who you are as a person.
“There are silver linings to every cloud. Failure and struggles are opportunities to learn. They do not define you. And remember, you aren’t just anyone,” he said.
Class Vice President Jamie Brunelle gave the closing remarks with the advice to “carry the spirit we have shared at Hudson High for the rest of your life and seize every opportunity that comes your way.”
Brunell asked the class to stand to turn their cap tassels from right to left as a symbol of the transition from student to graduate. This was followed by the tradition tossing of the caps into the air
As caps flew and applause echoed across the Morgan Bowl, the Class of 2025 stepped forward—ready for whatever comes next.
