Tewksbury, MA: 2011 graduates bid farewell, look towards future

The Tewksbury Memorial High School Class of 2011 gathered together for one last time at UMass Lowell's Costello Athletic Center. Dressed in bright blue and red gowns, the graduates stood up one by one to recieve their diplomas from school principal Patricia Lally.

"Everyone of them as turned out to be a wonderful individual," said Lally, "so I don't think there's going to be a problem in the future."

It was the first time for Lally to hand out the diplomas directly, previously it had been the job of the school committee. Lally said in her address to the Class of 2011 that they were apart of her "family."

Students had mixed emotions, it was a great celebration, but for others it also meant good bye. For others still, the entirety of the event and the end of high school has yet to sink in.

"It almost hasn't sunk in yet that we're done with high school completely," said Valedictorian Victoria Aronson who encouraged her classmates to live lives "without regret."

Parents cried and cheered for their childrens' successes, happy that they've crossed another milestone in their lives.

"A very proud moment for him," said Stephanie Rogers who watched her youngest son Matthew pick up his diploma, "they're all grown up now."