Nauset Class Of 2025 Looks Back At A Changing Campus

NORTH EASTHAM – For the Nauset Regional High School class of 2025, the road to graduation can be summed up with three words from a simple traffic safety sign: Road Work Ahead.

On Friday evening, Nauset seniors received their diplomas in front of a packed gymnasium. The theme throughout the night? Perseverance.

As freshmen, the current graduating class was met with remote learning and safety protocols as COVID-19 swept through the country. In January 2023, voters in Brewster, Eastham, Orleans and Wellfleet greenlit the high school building project, which included a total revamp of the campus. Just as things were settling down for the students, construction equipment rolled through, demolishing their original classrooms and starting the process of rebuilding. They were the last class to spend a full year in the original building.

“The majority of our high school experience took place under construction,” said Class President and Salutatorian Brianna Wall. “Which is a perfect metaphor for how we too were being built.”

While many of the speakers acknowledged the ever-changing environment that students had to adapt to each and every day, they also remarked on the incredible bond the class shared.

In March, Nauset’s boys hockey team won the first-ever state championship in Boston. Seniors praised the team, relishing the idea of going out on top. For many, it was a much-needed reminder of how unshakable and determined the class was.

Wall went on to describe how even their creative parking spots helped shape their outlooks of the future.

“We learned to park outside the lines, whether it be on crosswalks or the grass,” she said. “And I hope we can take that with us as we leave Nauset. Not necessarily the illegal parking, but rather the idea of not being limited to one way of doing things.”

Performances throughout the night included a rendition of the National Anthem by three members of the honors chorus, including senior Fiona McCary. The performers were accompanied by the American Sign Language class, who interpreted the lyrics.

A solo performance by McCray of The Beatles’ “In My Life” with senior cellist Rylan Daniels Julien separated the two student speeches. Molly Filteau interpreted the performance. The Nauset Regional High band and orchestra, directed by Dan Anthony, also performed during the ceremony.

Valedictorian Alyia Vasquez spoke of the importance of an open mind when entering the world. She alluded to the “tense political atmosphere” in the country, including at the campus she will be attending this fall, Columbia University.

Her message was rooted in positivity and hope as the students enter the next chapters of their lives.

“We’re all moving on to new and exciting environments,” she said. “So if there’s ever a time to change your approach to the unknown, it’s now.”

A common thread among the student speakers was praising their teachers and school staff for their support, guidance and encouragement over the last four years.

“I think it’s pretty special that the majority of students here feel so comfortable at school knowing that our teachers genuinely care about our wellbeing,” said Vasquez.

Principal Patrick Clark addressed the class with a custom rhyme, similar to previous years. He praised the students on their growth and achievements throughout their high school careers, proudly shouted out their hockey win and ended with a request for students to “do some good.”

Nauset Superintendent Brooke Clenchy congratulated each student as they received their diplomas. Clark made a special announcement to recognize the ceremony as Clenchy’s last. She will be retiring at the end of the month. Clenchy began her education career in Canada in 1982, marking 43 years of dedicated service.

“She has made the Nauset public schools better than she found them,” said Clark. “And that is the basic objective of anyone who goes into our line of work.”

One by one, 203 students walked across the gym floor to receive their diplomas. The event ended with the song “Warrior Legacy” playing as the class of 2025 and the educators who supported them departed the gym.