BELCHERTOWN — Dressed in black caps and gowns with orange tassels, the Belchertown High School Class of 2026 crossed the finish line Thursday in what Principal Christine Vigneux referred to as their “social and educational marathon.”

“The road has not always been easy, nor the path clear, but you have run it anyways for more than 26 miles,” Vigneux said to the 137 graduates seated in the stadium bleachers as they were about to receive their diplomas.

Graduates Joseph Minnon and Isabel Moreau reflected on the strong bonds and important moments at BHS. Minnon recalled the thrill of his baseball team’s first-round state tournament victory, while Moreau credited the school with bringing her together with her best friends — and future bridesmaids.

“I couldn’t be more lucky to have them in my life,” said Moreau, who will attend Providence College in the fall and aims to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant in aesthetic medicine.

The help of teachers, staff, and the positive classroom environments at Belchertown High School left a mark on this class.

Ariana Lyons said one of her most memorable experiences during her two years at BHS was the classroom discussions she shared in her Latin, English and sciences classes.

Adam O’Rourke, meanwhile, credited his English teacher of four years, Ms. Foisy, for helping him succeed throughout high school. “I probably wouldn’t have passed any of my classes if it wasn’t for her,” he said.

Vigneux thanked the staff, faculty and administrators for devoting their lives to education, as their love has shaped the graduates’ experiences since kindergarten.

“Every note you handed in at the office, every lunch you ever ate, every bit of extra support you sought, and every clean hallway you walked was a silent reminder of the role these important people have played in your time in the Belchertown Public Schools,” she said.

In his address to classmates, salutatorian Ryan Gould explained the importance of the messages given in Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, the Place You’ll Go!”

“Perhaps the most poignant concept Seuss introduces is the waiting place, where everyone is simply lingering for a fish to bite, a wind to blow, or a better chance to arrive,” he said. “It may not seem inherently dangerous, but its real threat lies in its absolute stagnation.”

He encouraged his classmates to not allow uncertainty to make their decisions for them. They have already been through a global pandemic, remote learning, years of schooling and are now navigating an era of “unprecedented technological change and political tension,” he reminded them as a reminder to remain resilient.

Gould thanked all the members of his family, including his mother who was the BHS salutatorian of 1998.

Class President Aleksandra Randall said what set the Class of 2026 apart was its willingness to support one another.

“Years from now, we may not remember every test score, assignment or grade, but we will remember the people who encouraged us, challenged us, and helped us become who we are,” she said.

She recognizes that her four years at BHS have helped her grow in ways she never would’ve expected. Upon starting her freshman year, she said she remembers being much quieter, unsure of herself and who she would become, and now she’s changed completely.

Randall spoke in memory of her late mother, who she feels still influences the person she’s becoming.

“She taught me important lessons about kindness, resilience, and how important it is to care deeply about people. Those lessons guide me even when life feels difficult,” she said.

A feeling of community emerged as the graduates sang their class song of the year, “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac. The voices of the young people blended sweetly as they intertwined with the classic tune.

Valedictorian Makenzie Burch made her way to the podium to congratulate her classmates on graduation whether they have been counting down the days or wishing for more time.

“We finally made it across the finish line that once seemed so far away,” she said.

She said she is confident her classmates can pursue whatever paths they choose because the foundation they built at BHS is strong.

In addition to the celebration of the community that’s been built among students and faculty, Vigneux congratulated the 83 seniors who received scholarships on Tuesday’s senior award night and the more than $70,600 in scholarships and awards that they received.

When the graduating class rose to sing their alma mater, the alumni members in the crowd rose as well, celebrating generations of important moments and relationships. The commencement band played their tune “Orioles Fly On” by Carl Holmquist as the graduates fled the bleachers to begin their next marathon.