BETHEL — As Telstar’s graduation ceremony was about to begin on Friday, June 6, the lights went out. Thunder boomed and lightning lit up the sky. But thanks to the school’s generator, the lights flickered back on and the ceremony pressed forward.

On this stormy evening, 41 students were officially certified as graduates by SAD 44 Superintendent Mark Kenney.

A theme of love, empathy, and resilience wove through the week’s event—from remarks on graduation night to the decorated caps and heartfelt tributes.

Valedictorian Ella Akers, reflecting on her own experiences feeling like an outsider, encouraged her classmates to embrace differences. “Why should we care about where a person comes from, or what they look like or who they love … instead of looking at those who are different from you with apprehension or reproach. Please look to them instead with curiosity and perhaps more importantly with compassion.”

Co-class presidents Tehya Buck and Emma Newell echoed that message. Buck remarked: “The more we judge, the less room we leave for compassion. However when you lead with empathy, you make space for compassion … in a world fueled by hatred it’s easy to get lost. So as we all go onto our next journey, I hope we leave room for empathy in our lives.”

Leading up to graduation, the senior class had spent a celebratory week together: visiting their former elementary schools, attending a Red Sox game, and participating in the annual parade on Bethel Common. On Monday evening, dressed in caps and gowns, they lined Broad Street as emergency vehicles from Bethel and neighboring towns drove by, sirens blaring in tribute. Families followed behind in cars, waving signs and cheering. The week concluded early Saturday morning after the seniors returned from their all-night celebration hosted by parents.

This academically accomplished class—17 graduates earned honors—was also full of creativity. Graduation caps became mini-collages of personality, humor, and pride. Some featured flowers, family photos, and meaningful quotes; others were bold statements of future goals.

Jordan Robshaw’s cap featured a miniature boxing ring and a tiny boxer. “My goal is to be the heavyweight champion of the world,” he said. “I’m making the declaration that I will get there.”

Tim Wakefield went with a more nostalgic touch, gluing a light blue car to the top of his cap—a nod to his real-life 1992 Chevy Caprice. “It’s my first and forever car,”  said Wakefield.

Ella Hopps cap carried a quote, “What lies before us, and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

A Coming Together

At Thursday night’s “A Coming Together” celebration, Riley Cooper, Bella Brown, and Ella Hopps read original “Faces” poems, bringing laughs with playful lines about classmates:

“Bee, you’re the bee’s knees, you love to hang in the trees, always so free.”

“Kyle Kimball you’re louder than a symbol, you always love to mingle, we’ll miss all your jingles.”

“Eliot you’re a stinky smelly it, and we always tell you it. You better remember it.”

“Jordan is a funny guy who hopes to one day experience a money high”

“Lily Souther you argue like no other, don’t let your fire sputter.”

“Tim is basically everyone’s relative, so he definitely is not irrelevant.”

“Brody Walker you’re not much of a talker, though on the baseball field, you’re better than your brother.”

In a moving moment, Tabaitha Steward spoke about her daughter Hailey, who had been part of the Class of 2025 before passing away at age 10. “Her story continues with each and every one of you … You can be the friend who includes someone sitting alone, you can be the student that raises their hand for someone who can’t, you can be the person who listens, supports and leads with kindness just like Hailey did.”

She awarded Noah Cunnington a $1,000 scholarship and gave each graduate a tassel and a sticker with Hailey’s photo.

Parent Lynn Newell honored Hailey’s legacy by presenting a donation to Team Hailey Hugs from the Class of 2025, Steward’s organization that supports children battling cancer.

In video tributes, students expressed gratitude for teachers, families, and mentors. Kyle Kimball summed up the appreciation for one program: “I’m grateful for NorthStar … Four for four. All the NorthStar seniors in the program said they were grateful for NorthStar, as it should be, they are amazing.”

On graduation night, Principal John Eliot said, “I believe that having half of you show up on my front lawn at two o’clock in the morning as part of your senior prank is a sign of success … that morning when I opened my door and saw your smiling faces I knew I had done something right … you know I mean it, when I say I love you all.”