Published in the June 9, 2016 edition

 By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — The 59th North Reading High School Commencement ceremony for the 189 members of the Class of 2016 will be held on Friday, June 10 starting at 6:15 p.m.

The Class of 2016 will be the second to receive diplomas from the new North Reading High School. But its the first to graduate since the two–school high school and middle school complex was completed and opened last September. Last year, when the Class of 2015 graduated, massive dirt piles topped by earth moving equipment towered over the stands behind the high school football field, reminding one and all that this was still very much a construction site. On Friday, when the 2016 graduates, their friends and families enter the field, they will only see the future athletic fields and additional parking, well on their way to completion, that will be the face of the NRHS campus for many years to come.

Ceremonies will be held outdoors on the school’s Arthur J. Kenney Field. In the event of rain, the exercises will move indoors to the high school gymnasium.

The graduating class will be led onto the field by Class Marshals Nicolas O’Connell and Anna Tayas. After Principal Anthony Loprete’s opening remarks, Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard will deliver the charge to the graduates.

Honor essays will be delivered by Leah Diamantides, Jillian Comeau and Ashtyn Parker–McDermott. Madeline Veneziano, whose essay was chosen in a competition judged by members of the faculty, will deliver the Class Essay.

Cliff Bowers, chairman of the School Committee, will confer the diplomas, assisted by Assistant Principal Michael Downs. Class Officers Patrick Spinelli (president), Jillian Comeau, (vice president), Elizabeth Carlson (secretary) and Patrick Riley (treasurer) will announce the class gift, after which graduates will toss their caps in the air and leave the field to the usual recessional music played by the North Reading High School Band, directed by Eric Forman.

Next week the Transcript will publish a keepsake edition for the Class of 2016. This will include honor essays, scholarships and awards and extensive photo coverage.