The first weekend of June marked a joyful milestone for hundreds of Acton students and their families in the Acton-Lexington-Concord region, as three area schools honored their Class of 2025 with heartfelt graduation ceremonies.
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
On Friday, June 6, Acton-Boxborough (AB) Regional High School held its graduation ceremony indoors at the school’s Regan Gym due to predicted thunderstorms. Each graduate was allowed two guests, with additional attendees gathering in the school auditorium to watch a live stream of the event.
After a brief musical performance by the Acton-Boxborough Concert Band, the seniors marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by an International Welcome in a dozen languages, from Portuguese to Dakota. After Principal Joanie Dean addressed the class, student speakers Connor Leo and Mia Kim each reflected on a personal challenge they faced and how those experiences helped them grow into strength and community during their time at AB.
Graduates from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School celebrate the Class of 2025 during the indoor ceremony on June 6, held in the Regan Gym due to rain. Credit: Jen Lewy
Superintendent Peter Light presented the William Ryan Community Service Award — given each year to recognize outstanding local contributions — to Acton’s Household Goods, a nonprofit supporting families in need with donated home essentials. The Senior Band’s performance of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” brought the crowd to life, with enthusiastic cheers and clapping resounding through the gym as families joined in the celebration.
Three hundred and eight-four seniors received their diplomas during the ceremony.
“High school is hard. High school at AB is hard,” said English teacher David Brusie in closing remarks. “No matter what path each student took — five APs or none, sports teams or theater, college-bound or starting a job — they did a very hard thing, and they deserve our praise and congratulations.”
Minuteman High School
Also on Friday, June 6, Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School held its commencement at 2 p.m. in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The auditorium filled with family and friends celebrating approximately 150 seniors, one of the largest graduating classes in the school’s history.
Graduates from Minuteman leave with both academic preparation and technical training across fields such as engineering, health assisting, culinary arts, and biotechnology. In a ceremony marked by pride and achievement, students were recognized not only for their diplomas but also for the career skills they had developed along the way.
“The Minuteman graduation had such a fun, celebratory vibe, with heartfelt speeches, big cheers, and even a surprise saxophone solo,” said Christine Russell, an Acton parent of a graduating senior. “What really struck me was how much these students grow. They take a leap coming here, often not knowing anyone, and leave with real skills and a strong sense of community. I definitely teared up watching my senior walk across the stage.”
Nashoba Brooks School
The ceremony included a warm welcome from co-class presidents Myda Gilani and Hazel McWhinney, who reflected on the close-knit community that had formed over the years.
Head of School Danielle Heard encouraged graduates to see the beauty of interconnectedness, comparing their individual strengths to the Fibonacci sequence, where parts combine to form a stronger whole.
As each student received their diploma, eighth grade advisors shared personalized reflections. This year’s graduates are heading to 17 different high schools across the region, including Concord Carlisle, Lexington, Phillips Academy Andover, and Acton-Boxborough.
Across all three schools, this year’s graduates step into a changing world with a strong foundation and the support of communities proud to cheer them on.
Jen Lewy is a local writer and the author of the Game of Paradise series, a sci-fi adventure about AI and the future of humanity.
[The editors of the Acton Exchange welcome further articles about end-of-year graduations and other transitional events. Send us a query at editors@actonexchange.org.]