Dighton-Rehoboth Grads Praised for Perseverance

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School’s graduating class was praised Saturday for overcoming a series of challenges during their four years.

The threat of thunderstorms prompted the administration to hold the ceremony inside the school gymnasium.

Valedictorian Nathaniel Wheeler advised his classmates to shape their own paths in life.

“Don’t regret anything you did or didn’t do,” Wheeler said. “Be whoever you want to be.”

Salutatorian Hayden Bessette thanked his teachers and parents “who helped me change for the better.”

High school had a huge impact on Bessette, as well as his fellow graduates: “We became more driven, more mature, and more outspoken,” Bessette noted. “It’s okay to be afraid.”

Principal Gail DeCecco said the graduation was a “triumph of the human spirit.”

DeCecco recalled the difficulties of students having to be isolated from their friends during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Masks and social distancing became necessary to prevent the spread of Covid.

“You have responded to these enormous challenges by choosing perseverance,” DeCecco said, noting “our community has rebounded and flourished” in the last two years.

Superintendent Bill Runey began his remarks by praising DeCecco, who is leaving at the end of the school year.

“You made our high school a better place,” Runey said. “It’s sad to see you go.”

“It is my hope that you believe striving for excellence is a worthwhile pursuit,” Runey told the graduates. “Not because it brings recognition or reward, but because striving for excellence you make the world a better place filled with grace and aligns with the district’s vision to improve our world.”

Other speakers included Class President Angelina Cabral and Sabrina Marsella, who read an honor essay.

The Senior Chorus members performed the class song, “I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus and the National Anthem.

Diplomas were handed out by Runey, DeCecco, class advisor Michael Cooke, and school committee vice-chair Christopher Andrade.