By Allie Ladjeva
Loud cheers and applause filled Kennedy Middle School’s Field House on Sunday as 450 Waltham High School seniors walked into the space packed with families and friends. An overflow crowd watching a live stream cheered from their seats in Kennedy’s auditorium.
The Class of 2026 was celebrated not only for graduating but also for the many paths and backgrounds represented among the students.
The ceremony highlighted the class’s diversity and sense of community through multilingual welcomes, student speeches and celebrations of the students’ achievements.
After students were seated, the master of ceremonies, Raffi Sarkissian, a 2026 graduate, opened the ceremony.
A group of students welcomed guests to the graduation ceremony in 13 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Armenian, Punjabi and Turkish.
Seniors Chase Eaton and Erik Jensen played the national anthem on guitar.
Austin Chabot, vice president of scholarship for the National Honor Society, and Chloe Ho, vice president of service, led the opening remarks and explained the four types of regalia worn by graduates, which marked those who completed a career and technical education pathway, took three or more early college classes, earned the Seal of Biliteracy or graduated as members of the National Honor Society.
The address of welcome was delivered in both English and Spanish by Quinn Gavin, Anabel Rutledge and Luisana Guerrero Marquez, respectively.
The ceremony continued with Andrew George, treasurer of the Class of 2026, who introduced honored guests from the Waltham School Committee and the administration.
Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy greeted the graduating class. “Every once in a while, there is a class at Waltham High School that tugs at your heart. They make you laugh. They make you proud. And sometimes they drive you crazy. But looking out at you, Class of 2026, and having observed your perseverance, your talents, your achievements and your accomplishments at such a young age fills us all with pride,” McCarthy said.
Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa congratulated the students on all their achievements and growth throughout their high school journey.
“The most successful people are not those who have all the answers. They are those who remain curious, embrace challenges and continue to grow throughout their lives,” Mendonsa said.
Senior Rachel McIntyre, vice president of leadership for the National Honor Society, then presented the Class of 2026 gift for Waltham High School. The gift, a free library box located on Lexington Street near the entrance to Waltham High, was accepted by Principal in Residence John Barnes.
“Just as our teachers and staff have left a lasting impact on us, each book will contain a new lesson. This library grants anyone who takes a book the power to escape, the power to feel a sense of belonging and the power to see themselves in someone else’s shoes,” McIntyre said.
After accepting the gift, Barnes reminded students of the life skills they have learned and the life experiences they are about to gain.
“The people who succeed aren’t the ones who never fail. They are the ones who keep getting back up. They are the ones who learn, adapt and keep moving when life doesn’t go according to plan. And life will absolutely not go according to plan,” Barnes said.
Subsequent speakers shared similar thoughts.
School Committee Vice Chairperson Debra Coleman reminded students that although they followed different paths, each graduate’s success was worth celebrating.
Shelby Hale Roper, assistant principal for the Class of 2026, walked the seniors through their high school years, reminding them of their growth and achievements, before telling them, “This day is all about you.”
Aryan Rampal, vice president of character of the National Honor Society, and Thanthar San, the Class of 2026 secretary, gave the closing remarks.
San reminded her classmates of the power of the words “I wish.”
“Today, we wish for the lives we are about to build. We wish for the chances we haven’t taken yet … So, as we step into the next stage of our lives, let’s continue to wish courageously, dream big and close the gap between the life you wish for and the life you are brave enough to create,” she said.
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas. After the final diploma was given, caps flew in the air as families cheered loudly.
Graduates and Families Reflect on the Milestone
For the graduates, the ceremony marked both an ending and a beginning. When asked to describe the Class of 2026 with three words, Kira Cotugno described it as “chaotic, smart and creative.” Elijah White-Rochelle used the words “chaotic, complex and diverse,” adding that the first years were “more chaotic and loud” but brought the Class of 2026 closer together.
Parents described the graduation as emotional after watching their children grow throughout their journey at Waltham High.
“I think the diversity of the community here in Waltham is our greatest strength, and so having a diversity of experiences and backgrounds really makes for world citizens, and I am really excited to see what’s next for my [child],” said parent Dave Raymond.
Some parents shared that, as the new high school building was introduced, students initially had some hesitation. However, they grew to like the new building.
“There were all kinds of drama with the new building; that was a big adventure. And they ended up with the new building being really nice,” Margaret Zeitouny, a parent, said.
Zeitouny praised WHS’s tech programs as exceptional, saying her graduating son, Ethan, is her second child to go through such programs. She added that Ethan has become certified to perform electrical work and is now ready to be an apprentice electrician.
Plenty of parents also celebrated what’s ahead, sharing that their children plan to attend college in the fall, with some naming Bentley University, Regis College and Villanova University as their graduates’ next educational stops.
Graduates are planning to pursue a wide range of career paths, including nursing, engineering and finance.
For some families, graduating from Waltham High School is a family legacy. Tim O’Toole, a parent, shared that his family members are all Waltham graduates, and his son is part of the Class of 2026.
“We love Waltham, and we are very proud of him,” he said.
Siblings also celebrated their brothers’ and sisters’ success, expressing happiness and pride.
“I am really proud that [my brother] made it through high school, and he was really hardworking,” Erica Lin, a sister, shared.
As the ceremony ended, graduates rushed to their families for photos, holding flowers and diplomas as they marked one of the biggest milestones of their lives.
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