Snapshots from JHS Class of 2012 Graduation Ceremony

With all of the traditional ceremony and celebration typically reserved for such an occasion, the 50th commencement exercises for also featured some unique touches.

Among the nods to tradition were the performance of "Pomp and Circumstance" by the JHS band under the direction of Ron Lamoureux, the presentation of colors by the Johnston Police Department honor guard, and speeches by dignitaries and the class valedictorian and salutatorian.

In keeping with current events, Mayor Joseph Polisena offered a "gift" to the class — two hands full of plastic spoons, a light-hearted reference to the .

Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo also mentioned that he was impressed at the students' creativity in leaving a boat outside the front door of the high school.

Many of the speeches, notably the one by class advisor Jeffrey Ayotte, brought up a rather unfortunate distinction for the Class of 2012 — in each of its four years, the group's homecoming float finished last in the school competition.

Likening the team's struggles to The Little Engine that Could, Ayotte recalled how in freshman year, "you started off with such enthusiasm and confidence and such diligence, and I thought of that line: 'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can' — and we came in fourth place.

"But we learned from our humbling mistakes," Ayotte continued, "and we redoubled our efforts during our sophomore and junior years, and once again that mantra of 'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can' was repeating — and we, .

"In our senior year, we redoubled our efforts, we learned from our mistakes, and we vowed that we would succeed, and at this point, our mantra became 'I know I can, I know I can, I know I can,' — and we came in fourth place," Ayotte recalled to raucous laughter and cheers from the graduating class.

"Despite the setbacks and the disappointments that we faced through the years, you never wavered in your confidence, your diligence, or your enthusiasm, and for that, you are to me commended," Ayotte concluded.

Valedictorian Yvette Zeng spoke about life experiences as pages in a book, which get filled as people grow up.

"In the beginning, we do not get to write our own book because our parents have done it for us," Zeng explained. "What matters now are the stories of our high school years, the crucial years before we move onto adulthood. These are the pages that are truly about us, our moment, our time."

Zeng also mentioned some of the common experiences that she and her classmates share.

"I'd like to give our class a nickname — 'the guinea pig class,'" Zeng joked. "What class was the first class to have the graduation requirement of passing the NECAP — and, of course, who could forget the we were so graciously given, as the first ones to try?"

Salutatorian Molly Rajsombath, a teammate with Zeng on this year's , offered her own humorous recollections of the past four years.

"It's no secret that our class had to adapt during our stay at JHS," Rajsombath said. "Besides having multiple principals with drastically different personalities, we had to brave the elements — in order to attend Johnston High School, oe can not be faint of heart.

"Throughout the school year, we had to battel the cold, endure the blistering heat, and remain vigilant of the 'imaginary mold,'" Rajsombath joked, a reference to a reported mold problem at the high school that was later ruled to be related to last fall's Central Landfill stench issue.

"We may not be known as the most talented class, or even the most intelligent, but we certainly have the right to be proud about what we've done," said Rajsombath. "Despite our setbacks and failures, we managed to got to class with unwavering smiles on our faces and perfected the art of just laughing things off."

Adding to the theme of perseverence was Class of 2012 President Josh Ribezzo, who spoke after the awarding of diplomas, and talked (often tongue-in-cheek) about what makes Johnston so special.

"I contemplated that for awhile, and the first thing that came to mind were the many wonderful smells that we smell every day in the hallways — the finest dining service food that money could buy, and the clean-cut grassy fields that our students love to graze upon," Ribezzo joked, who also recalled the spirit week events and costume days that the students shared.

"As good as we were at being bad," Ribezzo said, in another reference to the 0-for-4 float record, "we did manage to see three championships during our high school career," including a football state title in 2009, and hockey and baseball banners in 2011.

Ribezzo also took a moment to remember Andrew Greene, who attended Ferri Middle School with many of the members of this graduating class before passing away at the age of 13 in 2007.

To respectful applause from the crowd, Ribezzo remembered Greene as "a bright, funny, and heartwarming soul, and many of us knew him as just that. Sadly, he passed away in seventh grade, but his spirit has lived on through us through the years."

Ribezzo then offered his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends and teachers — nearly breaking down at least once.

"We will always have the memories and accolades to look back on our glory days. I'm starting to realize that this isn't 'goodbye' or 'farewell,' but 'see you soon' or 'I'll be right back,'" Ribezzo said. "The other day I came across a quote that simply says it all: 'Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you. Until we meet again.'"

Then, with a final cheer and the tossing of their mortarboards in the air, the newly-minted garduates proceeded out of the PPAC auditorium to their waiting families and friends to celebrate under the marquee.

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