*Waltham’s newest School Committee and City Council elects being sworn in by Judge Ellen M. Caulo. Photo by Isabella Lapriore.*

Waltham inaugurated newly elected School Committee and City Council members at a ceremony held at Waltham High School on Jan. 4.

Waltham District Court Judge Ellen M. Caulo read the oath of office for three School Committee members and 15 city councilors, all of whom won their seats at the city’s election on Nov. 4.

The City Council welcomed new councilors-at-large Emma Tzioumis and Tim King as well as returning at-large and ward councilors for two-year terms.

King said he is excited to start and is looking forward to getting into city business.

“We worked hard during our campaign, we listened to what people had to say and we hope to bring that voice to the city council,” King said.

*Members of the WHS Show Choir performed a medley of ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Defying Gravity’ at the Inauguration. Photo by The Waltham Times.*

Additionally, the City Council elected Ward 9 Councilor Robert G. Logan as council president, replacing Ward 4 Councilor John McLaughlin. Councilor-at-large Randall J. LeBlanc is replacing Ward 5 Councilor Joey LaCava as vice president.

“It’s a great honor to be elected to the presidency of the council,” Logan said. “This is our opportunity to make our contribution and do what we can to make the city of Waltham even greater than it already is.”

The Waltham School Committee welcomed first-time elects Tammy Wong-Bigelow and Sabrina DeJoannis alongside returning vice chair Debbie Coleman for four-year terms.

Wong-Bigelow and DeJoannis both expressed their excitement to begin work in their new positions.

“I’m proud to serve, I’m honored to have been elected and a little nervous,” Wong-Bigelow said.

*U.S. Representative Katherine M. Clark (front right) was an invited speaker.*

Coleman, McLaughlin and Katherine M. Clark, U.S. representative for Massachusetts’ 5th Congressional District, spoke at the ceremony. All three congratulated the elects in their speeches and emphasized the importance of community support and commitment to education.

“It has never been as vital to have people of integrity and compassion in public office right now when it seems that sometimes the worst voices can be the loudest, those who might view democracy as an inconvenience, might mistake cruelty for strength, those who think we can normalize greed as something admirable,” Clark said. “Waltham is proving them wrong.”