By SAMANTHA TURNER
Although a time of joy and excitement,
Veterans
Memorial
High School
graduation Tuesday afternoon was also filled with remembrance, embracing the memory of class essayist Corrina Cole who died in a March single car accident.
"Even though we can't hear her laughter, or see her beautiful smile," Valedictorian Michael Danna said he knew she was there in spirit.
At the front of the stage, was a chair for Corrina, empty other than white roses on the seat.
Senior chorus members sang "For Good" dedicated to her memory, and when diplomas were awarded, Cole's parents Thomas and Lori walked the stage receiving her diploma, flowers and gifts from the school.   The crowd did not hesitate to leave their seats for a supportive standing ovation.
"I have no doubt that the way Corrina led her life - with kindness, unsinkable spirit and enthusiasm - will continue to influence many of you in the years to come," said Mayor Scott Avedisian.
"I will always cherish thoughts of her," said retiring Superintendent, Robert Shapiro.
Principal Gerald Habershaw said that if anything positive came from the hardships the class has faced, it is the way the students stuck together and helped each other through tough times. Timothy Packhem, a junior, died the same month as Cole in a skateboarding accident.
"There is one word that comes to mind to describe the class of 2007: caring," Habershaw said.   "This class really cares about others."
Habershaw commended the class for uniting as a group and pulling together through difficult times.
"Take full advantage of what lies ahead of you," he encouraged.
Elizabeth Noren, one of two class advisors, told the graduates that the two most important things they have learned in high school they have all acquired on their own: friendship and faith in themselves.   She pointed out that throughout their hardship, they have learned that they can do whatever they aspire to do and that faith in themselves and others can guide them through even the toughest of times.
Graduation was not all serious however, as there was an air of pride and joy.   Parents clustered to the front of aisles to cheer on their graduates as they marched in, snapping pictures, taping videos, and waving with excitement.   Supporters in the packed field house blew air horns and yelled in encouragement and stood on chairs to get a good view.
Salutatorian Tim Hopper, planning to attend Northeastern in the fall, chose to take a different route with his speech, reciting a skit from the movie Spartacus.   He said he wanted to do something completely different, and have fun with it.
Among words of encouragement, remembrance of his close friend Corrina Cole, and feelings of pride in the graduating class, Valedictorian Michael Danna threw in an original rap to the theme song of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and jokes of his fellow classmates.
Danna encouraged the class, no matter how small or big the ripples you make in the water, "know in your heart you are a hurricane."
Danna will attend
Brown
University
in the fall on a full academic scholarship.
"I have this weird, excited feeling in my heart right now," said class president Julia Brough.   "I think we are all ready, and I'm excited to graduate!"
"I'm really looking forward to college," said Ashley Knapton who will attend Johnson and
Whales
University
next year.  
"I am so happy.   We are all just so excited," she said.
"I know that Vets' class of 2007 is one that will, without fail, hold tight to its dreams," said the mayor.   "I look forward to hearing of your successes in the future."
Speakers throughout the ceremony honored Shapiro's dedication as an educator and commended him for his commitment and love for the students.
The graduates are:
Korinne Anita Amelian
Nicholas Perry Anderson
Gary Manuel Armstrong
Anthony Michael Arsenault
Thomas E. Asprinio
Lindsey Barnard
Robert William Beaver
James Beck
Kristyn Elizabeth Bellucci
Jeffrey Andrew Bennett
Caitlin Maraya Blair
Daniel Herbert Bouchard
Nicole Boulay
Arian Bourque
Kerry Ann Bowen
Melissa Marie Boyajian
Julia Elizabeth Brough
Amanda Elizabeth Brown
Kristen Bruzzi
Brittany Karen Burgess
Joseph Burgess
Amanda Lisa Burns
Caitlin Maegan Cambra
Joseph Kenneth Capuano
Andreana Louise Carbonneau
Tyler Joseph Card
James John Carroll
Samantha Leigh Carroll
Mario James Catalfamo, Jr.
Stephany Lee Champlin
Heather Lee Chiarillo
Jaime Nichole Chille
Katelyn Elizabeth Chouinard
Corrina Anne Cole
Brad Collins
Brittany Collins
Thomas Joseph Conde
Carolyn Rose Conroy
Matthew Conway
Jonathan Cooper
Terrence Cornish
Andrew Joseph Costa
Brittany Lee Crabtree
Erin Marie Curran
Genevieve Patricia Currier
Krystle Lee Curtin
Adam Justin Dale
Michael Christopher Danna
Tony A. Darakji
Jessica Lynn Davis
Shannon Elizabeth Degnan
Ashlee Renick Degregorio
Melissa DeLuca
Lauren Nicole DeNoncour
Albert Desrosiers
Danielle Marie Desrosiers
Katie Mary Desrosiers
Robert John DiFalco
Katelynn Elizabeth DiGiovanni
Jason Paul Doughty, Jr.
Krystle Ann Ducharme
Christina Marie Duffy
Samantha Charlene Ead
William David Eddy
Brandon Scott Eidam
Alexandra Lee Eisemann
Chris Michael Eldridge
Allison Renee Erben
Fay Margaret Etchingham
Ryan Thomas Fedo
Tyler James Ferrara
Christopher David Ferreira
Tiffany Ann Ferreira
Melissa F. Flaxington
Kayla Flynn
Nicholas Robert Fontaine
David Douglas Fortin
Michelle Ellen Fortin
Nicholas Robert Furney
Samantha Lynn Gardner
Amanda Marie Geca
Courtney Germain
Amanda Rose Giarrusso
Amanda Gill
Lyndsey Ann Goff
Alyson Nicole Gorden
Brian Tyler Grant
Caitlyn Ann Grant
Jessica Lynne Grant
Matthew Lawrence Greene
Thomas William Greene
Sarah Ann Groh
Shannon Marie Guerra
John Michael Gunter
Carl Gustafson
Shane Halpin
Kristen Rose Harris
Austin Hebert
Nathan Richard Hedstrom
Jennifer Henchy
Joshua John Hendrickson
Sarah Lucia Henriques
Jayme Hill
Daniel Hinsley
Anna Elizabeth Hodge
Timothy Griffin Hopper
Melissa Hoyle
Rebecca Lee Hudson
Kara Ann Hunter
Corrin Iacchini
Zachary James Iadevaia
Jake Iemma
Jacqueline Marie Insana
Douglas Joseph Izzi
Elisha Marie Jefferson
David Johnson
Emily Drouin Johnson
Lauren E. Jones
Angela Kasun-Gallucci
James C King
Justin William Kingston
Ashley Rose Knapton
Austin James Kotch
Peter William LaBanca
Katelyn Mary Lafontaine
Kris J. Lambert
Thomas Laprad
William Robert Laurie
Stephanie Marie Lawlor
Michelle Marie LeBlanc
Milton Rafael Leite
Heather Lemire
Erika Lynn Leonard
Anthony T. Lisi
Allary Rose Lupien
Daniel Mackie
Kayla M. Maher
Kristen C. Maher
Adam Matthew Manchester
Anthony Manfredo
Michael Marshall
Krysta-Lyn Martinelli
Samantha Martin
William Martins
William Dean Masse
Caitlin Anne Massey
Andrew Michael Mathers
Ashleigh LeeAnn McGuire
Michael Patrick McMahon
David Lorenzo McMullin
Kevin McNeil
Nathan McSorley
Megan Ann Medeiros
Samantha Ree Medeiros
Ryan Matthew Moniz
Christopher Anthony Montella
Amanda Monteiro
Nichol Monteiro
Joseph Michael Moretti
Michael Arthur Moretti
Stefanie Ellen Morin
Joshua Anthony Morris
Jennifer Mulligan
Melissa Anne Munroe
Fred Nash
Joseph Raymond Nelson
Jaime Lynn Nixon
Kevin Robert Oakley
David Allen Olney III
Krystal Pallas
Steven Peterson
Adam David Perri
Javier Perez
Erica Louise Marie Pestana
Kevin Thomas Pigeon
Megan Renee Podgorski
Russell David Poisson
Kendra Lynn Prattico
Brittany Lee Proctor
Cory Joel Rezendes
Joseph Brendan Ricci
Brian Dennis Ritz
Samuel David Robbins
Brian Robichaud
David Edwin Robinson
Antonio Moniz Rodrigues
Pablo Enrique Rodriguez
Kaila Marie Rogers
Andrew James Roland
James Rosa
Chelsea Lynn Rosen
Kelli Jean Ross
William Roy
Katlyne Ryan
Charles Safford
Melissa Ann Sanville
Ashley Lynn Sarno
John Joseph Schmitt, Jr.
Tyler Seamans
Allison Lynn Sebastio
Cory Allan Siconio
Katie Lynn Silvers
Michael Silvestri
Miranda Lynn Skinner
Robyn Amanda Slezak
Benjamin John Stopyra
Connor Patrick Sullivan
Daniel Sullivan
Elizabeth Eleni Sullivan
Tyler Joseph Sutcliffe
Carrie Anne Taft
Robert Savino Tice
Meghan Laura Travassos
Julie Ann Van Amersfoort
Holly Marie Wagner
Cory Dare Walton
John Weber
Stephanie Marie Weber
Michael White
Brittany Michelle Whiteside
Andrew Wilson
Lynn Nicole Wirth
Steven Patrick Wood
David Michael Yarborough
Dameon Justin Yeremian
Kimberly Yuettner