Dr. Koufman, Dr. Fitzgerald Mr. Paollilo and members of the School Committee, Mr. Michael Driscoll and members of the Town Council and my invited guests: Watertown Middle School principal, Mr. Kimo Carter, Hosmer School co-principals, Ms. Ann Hardiman and Mr. William McCarthy, Lowell School principal, Dari Donovan, invited teacher honorees, parents, family and friends, and most importantly, graduating seniors. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Watertown High School, I welcome you to the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2010.

This is a very special evening for all of us. Finally, we are able to celebrate these activities outdoors and Victory Field has never looked better. For all of you, this is your special night as you graduate from Watertown High School. For me, it is my last graduation from Watertown High School, and I am honored to be able to share it with all of you. We are both headed off for new adventures. I am looking forward to new opportunities and experiences just as you. Many of you are headed to college to study for that chosen career while others of you are set to join the workforce. Two of our graduates are military bound, and I would like to wish Kevin Phu as he enters the Navy and Tauseef Pirzada who is already in his first weeks of boot camp in the Marine Corp the very best. Be safe and I know we all thank you for your commitment to keep our country safe and free.

To our parents, this may be your first graduation or you may be watching your last child graduate. It is a long and sometimes painful experience. Yet, we all have survived this ordeal called high school. I'm sure you will agree, it was a very fast four years. From September of 2007 when you entered the high school as apprehensive freshmen to today as graduating seniors, we have all survived MCAS, PSATs and SATs, Senior Thesis papers, community service, and all of those endless requirements to graduate. We have all celebrated and enjoyed musicals, athletic contests and tournaments, Honor Roll Breakfasts, rallies, the Junior Cruise, Mr. WHS, the Student Faculty Basketball game to benefit the Haitian Relief Fund and countless other events. We have just completed a week of wonderful memories with the senior prom at the Danversport Yacht Club, the senior banquet at Kimball Farm and finally tonight's All Night Party.

To the parents and family of our graduates, I congratulate you and thank you for the opportunity and privilege to educate your child. To the faculty and staff, I thank you for all of the endless hours of planning, effort and dedication that you give to educating our students. I would ask that the students please stand and applaud your teachers and parents for a "job well done"

This is also a very special evening, as we say thank you and good-by to seven retiring members of our faculty. Tonight is the final graduation for these distinguished educators. This group of dedicated teachers will retire from Watertown High School leaving an indelible mark on thousands of children. These outstanding educators have given a combined 239 years of service to our school system. They will certainly not be forgotten, and their work at Watertown High School will continue as the cornerstone for all of our future students. I would like to introduce our retiring staff, my friends and associates, and ask you to salute their tireless efforts to their students. As you are introduced, please come forward to receive a token of our appreciation:

Ann Marie Connors
Physical Education Teacher

Marie Hannon
Business teacher and CTE Coordinator

Karen Kazarosian
Social Studies Teacher

Michael McDermott
Spanish teacher, Foreign Language Coord. Housemaster

Mark Petricone
Science & Astronomy Teacher

David Sheehan
Social Studies Teacher & Coordinator

Eileen Westgate
Computer Specialist

Finally, I would like to extend my best wishes to our new headmaster, Mr. Steve Watson. He is set to lead a wonderful high school of staff and students to even greater heights and opportunities.

In closing, I wish the Class of 2010 the very best and success in all that you do. Be it in the college classroom or workplace, be diligent and make a difference in our society. Make Watertown High School the start of your career goals. Take the knowledge that you have gained from your teachers and use it to succeed.

Thank you to you, your parents, and the faculty and staff for making Watertown High School such a wonderful place to have spent my entire educational career. I have been going to school in Watertown for over 50 years, and I cherish every memory. Congratulations to the Class of 2010. I am proud and honored to have been your Headmaster.