Norton High School Graduation 2013

Years from now they'll still be talking about it.

Not just because of the torrential rain that engulfed the area after the ceremony that soaked through everyone's shoes and made them feel like they had just jumped into the local swimming pool while wearing all their clothes.

But because it went smoothly. Perfect, in fact.

Everyone wants their graduation ceremony to go a certain way. The faculty and administration have a vision that the students then want to follow through on, but rarely does a commencement go off without a hitch.

This one was one of those rare graduation ceremonies that went well from opening to closing. The 107th Norton High School graduation sent 156 more teenagers to the next steps in their lives. If the students who spoke were any indication, parents need not worry- they'll be fine.

From Class Secretary Olivia Karcis' leading of the Pledge of Allegiance to Class President and Salutatorian Connor Grieve asking everyone to applaud for the parents because they wouldn't be where they were today without them, the speakers at the 2013 graduation ceremony represented their classmates well.

Matthew Litchfield read a poem, and Norton High Chorus, directed by Kyla Couture, nailed their performances.

Principal Megan Lafayette and Superintendent of Norton Public Schools Christopher Martes both spoke of how impressed they were with this class, with Martes keeping his remarks brief, saying, "I know no one is here to see me," which drew laughter from the crowd.

Finally, Jennifer Golden, the class of 2013 Valedictorian, may have been the perfect representative for her peers. Golden spoke of the journey they had all made, thanking countless people who helped along the way. Clearly, from her speech, you could tell she belonged where she stood, as a decorated student. But even with her high academic distinctions, she mentioned on more than one occasion that writing her speech and delivering it in front of such a large crowd was one of the most difficult things she had ever had to do.

But she overcame any nerves she may have had and delivered it on point.

Going into something a little nervous, getting through it and now ready to conquer the next thing. Sounds a little like high school, doesn't it?

Congratulations to the Norton High School class of 2013!