Sun Shines On Ridgefield High As Class Of 2015 Graduates

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- Some light rain opened Friday, June 19, but the day ended with charming sun as 446 graduates of Ridgefield High School celebrated at their commencement exercises at the O'Neill Center at Western Connecticut State University.

A Ridgefield High graduate accepts a quick congratulations at the commencement on Friday at Western Connecticut State University.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

A member of the Class of 2015 celebrates in style.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The diplomas are awarded.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Another festive mortarboard
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

A retiring faculty member receives a certificate.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The choir entertains the crowd assembled at the O'Neill Center.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The seniors march in
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The procession of students enters the O'Neill Center.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

A bagpiper leads the procession.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The teachers march in first
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

A banner transforms the O'Neill Center into home for the Class of 2015 at RIdgefield High School.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

by Nicole Kasseris

06/20/2015 11:30 a.m.

The ceremony opened with a bagpipe processional led by Terrence Shay. The faculty and seniors followed, and the procession was completed with the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Symphonic Orchestra performed the National Anthem.

Principal Stacey Gross welcomed the seniors and their guests. The graduation choir sang, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which included soloists Da’misi Adetona, Tyler Carey, Allison Donnelly, and Sarah Ford.

Class President Oliver Jones was overcome in greeting his classmates in his address. “I love each and every one of you. Don’t forget that.”

The class speaker, Matthew Marcon, had a few words of advice for his fellow graduates: “Be your own person and be a leader.”

The class Valedictorian was William Baughman. The faculty speaker, by invitation of the Class of 2015, was Ashley Sullivan.

Gross presented class certificates to the town’s retiring teachers. Deborah Low, Superintendent of Schools, officially graduated the Class of 2015.

Austin Drukker, Chairman of the Board of Education, awarded the diplomas to the graduates.

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