MONROE - The Monroe High School Class of 2011 has left the halls of its alma mater.
Family and friends of the 202 graduates packed the high school gymnasium and Performing Arts Center Sunday to watch the 138th commencement ceremony of the school.
Eleanor Nesimoglu gave the welcome speech, and Damian Penniston was the student speaker. Laurie Plourde, school counselor, delivered the commencement address.
Logan Wells and Sarah Tomasiewicz received the citizenship awards.
Though a rainy day outside, Nesimoglu and Penniston brightened the mood with humorous tales of their classmates' unfortunate events.
"In every bad week, there is always a pasta Tuesday," Nesimoglu reminded her classmates.
Nesimoglu focused on the family-like relationships the students had developed, with "common memories and experiences," during their academic years together.
"High school is like a family," she said. "You don't get to pick each other ... you don't always get along, but you develop an attachment."
Nesimoglu also encouraged the graduates to make decisions to better themselves, and to "take the memories and lessons of high school with you" as they move into the future.
Penniston also noted the class had become "one big family" and had gone through numerous losses and gains of teachers and administrators during their school years.
On Memorial Day weekend, Penniston gave special thanks to those classmates planning to join the military, and the audience erupted into applause.
On the lighter side, Nesimoglu and Penniston made particular reference to one technological advancement that made an impact during their lifetimes - the iPod.
Plourde delivered her words as poetry, in a style similar to the American writer and poet Dr. Seuss.
For her address, she drew words of wisdom from her life as a new teacher and from her own father to present to the graduates. She encouraged them to ask for help from people they know and trust, to acquire and hone good personal characteristics, and to work hard.
"Think of others first," she added.
Family and friends of the 202 graduates packed the high school gymnasium and Performing Arts Center Sunday to watch the 138th commencement ceremony of the school.
Eleanor Nesimoglu gave the welcome speech, and Damian Penniston was the student speaker. Laurie Plourde, school counselor, delivered the commencement address.
Logan Wells and Sarah Tomasiewicz received the citizenship awards.
Though a rainy day outside, Nesimoglu and Penniston brightened the mood with humorous tales of their classmates' unfortunate events.
"In every bad week, there is always a pasta Tuesday," Nesimoglu reminded her classmates.
Nesimoglu focused on the family-like relationships the students had developed, with "common memories and experiences," during their academic years together.
"High school is like a family," she said. "You don't get to pick each other ... you don't always get along, but you develop an attachment."
Nesimoglu also encouraged the graduates to make decisions to better themselves, and to "take the memories and lessons of high school with you" as they move into the future.
Penniston also noted the class had become "one big family" and had gone through numerous losses and gains of teachers and administrators during their school years.
On Memorial Day weekend, Penniston gave special thanks to those classmates planning to join the military, and the audience erupted into applause.
On the lighter side, Nesimoglu and Penniston made particular reference to one technological advancement that made an impact during their lifetimes - the iPod.
Plourde delivered her words as poetry, in a style similar to the American writer and poet Dr. Seuss.
For her address, she drew words of wisdom from her life as a new teacher and from her own father to present to the graduates. She encouraged them to ask for help from people they know and trust, to acquire and hone good personal characteristics, and to work hard.
"Think of others first," she added.