WILTON – There three things to take with you, guest speaker at the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School graduation, math teacher Bill Comerford, but he offered a lot more than that.

Never set an upper limit on your expectations, focus on those things that are important to you, and add a little adventure to what you are doing. “With the right attitude, you can turn anything into a party. There is nothing good about a global pandemic,” he said, recalling those two years, “but you can find a silver lining if you look for it. We met the challenges the plague offered, and it came to an end.”

As for adventure, he said, “We all have our own definition, but it starts with a single step.”

He advised, “Learn new things, break up the routine, find new ways of doing things. There are places in this world that are amazing.”

Following the return to classes after the lock down, the seniors could take a trip: they climbed Mount Monadnock for a class picture on top. Several other speakers also mentioned it.

The 46 seniors graduated with traditional ceremonies in the gym on Friday, June 3.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lillian Morrow of the Class of 2033. Senior Sean Bishop sang the National Anthem.

This class was the 50th to graduate from the building. Members of the first class, 1972, were invited to join the celebration. Petr Lord, a member of the first class said, “The last 50 years have brought more changes than any other time. Technology has made this a different world. We are encouraged by the Class of 2022, you can be, and are, the change.”

Class President Samantha Boette gave the welcome.

Salutatorian Lindsay Aucoin said, “We missed two years (of our schooling) to COVID, but our teachers got us through the hard times. They gave us faith to find our own paths fort ourselves.”

Valedictorian Elizabeth Jacobs said, “We finally made it, thanks to the support and unconditional love preparing us for the outer world.”

Their high school years were “full of unexpected challenges,” she said. “much of it transitioned to remote learning. Our senior year we returned to normal. Sports returned, and our devious senior prank. We have become more resilient and learned the importance of gratitude. We learned the importance of being kind. Everyone has a different story, and we should be compassionate. Kindness makes this a better world.”

In a traditional Rose Ceremony, each student presented a rose to someone of importance to them, usually their mother.

As diplomas were distributed by Superintendent Peter Weaver, Principal Sarah Edmunds, Assistant Principal Kathryn Gosselin and School Board Chairman James Kofalt, the names of the graduates were read by the class advisors Stephanie Erickson and Erin Rosana.

The changing of the tassels was led by Class President Samantha Boette.

An informal reception line formed at the back of the gym because of rain.