Bishop Feehan High School - Flashback Yearbook (Attleboro, MA)

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Laugnter and Tears, Hall and Farewell: Graduation, a Sign of Contradiction “Why are they smiling?” | asked myself as | watched the procession of seniors in cap and gown file into the auditorium to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance. Why do they look so happy to be graduating? Could it be that everyone was relieved that the diplomas and yearbooks had fi- nally arrived after a two week delay? Or that the seniors were eager to end the ceremony so that they could celebrate graduation parties with their classmates? Didn't they realize that this would be their last time together in one place — the last time to see the senior class sitting quietly in the auditorium? | couldn’t help seeing the eagerness and excitement in the faces of my friends as Bishop Cronin shook their hands to congratulate them upon receiving their long-awaited diplo- mas. When Eric Haskins finished his vale- dictory address, the senior class applaud- . id ed him with a standing ovation. Then, in the exact key taught to them by Miss Saulnier, the seniors proudly sang the Alma Mater. Watching their final good-bye, | won- dered why there was so much happiness. As the song “Out Here on my Own” echoed from the speakers in the audito- rium, | suddenly realized why no one was sad. It wasn’t time for tears. It was time for celebration. The senior class had finally made it through four very important years — years which, at times, had seemed al- most endless. With high school over, the graduating class was now focusing on a new future and a new, independent adult life. This excitement was in the air on the night of June second and it was conta- gious. Suddenly, | smiled as | realized that next year, |, too, would experience a new beginning. P, re-graduation moods reflected in Gay Perkoski and Darci O’Brien. Darci checks out her program be- fore getting into procession line-up. ete a LO “Dia I survive a Catholic school or did a Catholic school survive me?” Valedictorian Eric Haskins thinks it is a bit of both. Now that growing pains are be- hind him, he wants to emphasize the positive in life. Dignitary line-up. Sharing the stage with Bishop Daniel A. Cronin are Sister Rose Angela, senior teacher, Sister Mary Faith, principal, Sister Anne Moore, diocesan supervisor; salutatorian, Suzanne LeFebvre and class president, Diane Ison. 26 Graduation

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-ast Larger Than Future .. . Four long years .. . Years of wrinkled niforms, unbearable lectures on the noeba, declensions, conjugations, and rm papers ... At long last, it was finally ver! ... Where did the time go? Senior year was a nail-biting, frustrating, notional experience. As time ticked to- ard June, seniors with one foot out the oor grew reflective. Like hesitant chil- en leaving home, they paused in their ish toward the future. This, essentially, as Class Day. The entire Feehan population gathered the auditorium to celebrate and share ie last mass this class would have togeth- . Caps and gowns were donned to pen the ceremonies which would lead ) graduation, but that was not the sole fference. Silently, the undergrads atched the solemn procession file into place in the center rows — same places, same faces but an unwonted seriousness pervaded the air. The green and white gowned students overflowed into the folk group as senior voices swelled the chorus for almost the last time. Class Day, and its mass was an ending for these se- niors. After the celebration of mass, the graduating class silently filed out to plant a tree. Not only an ending, this day was also a beginning of the roots these seniors would have as ties to Feehan. The tree would continue growing as its branches extended. This emotional day was not yet over. After celebrating with classmates, friends, siblings, and Feehan, the seniors spent the night with parents. Parents Night was a spotlight for both. Scholar- as white and green robed seniors march into class day and parents’ night. ships, awards, and praise were abundant, as were the proud tears of many a par- ent. In Joan Mc Donagh’s tribute to par- ents, she said that parents should also be getting awards for their long-suffering in keeping meals hot for late-to-supper offspring, for their constant eee before driving age was reached, and their encouragement and support in victory or defeat for four long years. When the last award was presented, everyone headed for refreshments in the cafeteria where they exchanged hugs and smiles and tears. So from dawn to dark, this day was a culmination of four years of Feehan for one class. Four long years ... Where did the time go? oS Dedication of the class tree is the focal point of class day exercises out-of-doors. Timothy Marrah compares the roots of the new tree to the roots of departing seniors. Sharin the honors, joys, memories. First recipient of the Eleanor Drew Kenney Humanities Scholarship is Daniel Pearson with his parents, Allan and Myrna Pearson. Concelebrants of Class Day Mass are school chap- lains Father James Burbank, C.S.C., Father Paul Caron and St. John’s associate pastor, Father James Fitzpa- trick. Presenting the lectionary is Paul Lambert. Class Da y 25

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Yearbook designer, Donna Pelletier, having re- ceived her diploma from the Bishop, is eager to be on “her way to the future”. Making assurance doubly sure that they are graduating, Steven Scaturro and Craig Bartlett note their names on the program. Sure-shot with his Canon T-70, Mr. James Haskins aims at his valedictorian son, Eric, to be sure he will have the record for the family album. Fi our years of hard work in academics and athletics are reasons enough for congratulations to Jonathan Braga from the Bishop and the school superinten- dent, Father Richard Beaulieu. Graduation 27