Procession at 2015 Arlington High School graduation. / Bob Sprague photo

UPDATED, June 7: Arlington High School heard a range of speeches on Saturday, June 3, as 307 students were listed in the program as graduates of the class of 2017.

Awards Night recipients >>

Principal Matt Janger made provisions for taking the event indoors in case of rain. Drops fell about 11 a.m. after commencement was set up.

The sun came out. Seats were wiped off, and by the 3 p.m. start, clouds had rolled in. Yet, for the shower of speeches, the weather held.

Later, after words of hope and humor, the rain fell.

Among the addresses were those by:

Emily Brown: How the sun found those seedlings 

Sana Mohtadi: The value of inclusion 

Tarangana Thapa: Satisfaction is a threat to progress 

Michael Sandler: Bill and Lill's power of persevering 

The program included the following:

Master of Ceremonies: Robert DiLoreto, Dean of Fusco House

Processional: Entrance of the Class of 2017

Presentation of Colors: Arlington Police Department Honor Guard National Anthem

Arlington High School Band Welcome

Matthew Janger, Principal, Elementary School Faculty

Appreciation Awards Announcement, introduced by Julius Rosenthal, secretary of the Class of 2017

Community Recognition: Jeff Thielman, Chair, Arlington School Committee

Class Achievements, Kathleen Bodie, Superintendent of Schools

Remarks: Elsa Rothenberg, president, Class of 2017

Remarks: Emily Brown, president of the Student Council

Faculty speaker: Michael Sandler, introduced by Sarah O’Connell, secretary of the Class of 2017

Honors speaker: Tarangana Thapa

Honors speaker: Sana Mohtadi

Interlude: AHS Madrigal Choir, conducted by Senior Zachary DeBesche

"Reap What You Sow" by Pepper Choplin

Presentation of diplomas: Matthew Janger, principal; Jeff Thielman, chair, School Committee

Presentation of class gift and conclusion: Elsa Rothenberg, president of the Class of 2017

Readers: Veronica Tivnan, Dean, Downs House; William Mc Carthy, vice principal;

Diploma assistants: Susan Briggs, Danielle Rakowsky

Graduation coordinators: Joanna Begin 

More information is available here >>  

This news announcement was published Wednesday, May 31, 2017, and updated June 7.