For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Rockland’s Graduating Seniors Visit Their Former Schools

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron and High School Principal John Harrison are very proud to announce that early Wednesday morning, members of the Rockland High School Class of 2018 took to the halls of their former elementary schools for one last time as Rockland Public Schools students.

Approximately 100 soon-to-be graduates of Rockland High School took time out of their days to visit their former teachers and the younger students at the R. Stewart Esten, Jefferson, and Memorial Park Elementary Schools. The students walked through their old schools wearing their full graduation caps and gowns. 

The seniors boarded buses at 9 a.m. and were cheered on and given high fives by their younger Rockland Public Schools counterparts, and also by many of their former teachers and administrators.  The students first traveled to the Esten , then Jefferson, followed by Memorial Park and a final stop at the Rogers Middle School to complete the virtual journey from grades K-8.

This is the third consecutive year that Rockland High School graduating seniors have donned their caps and gowns and walked through the halls of their old schools.

“I think this tradition serves two purposes. First, it allows our seniors to return to the elementary and middle schools they proudly attended and say thank you to the teachers and staff members who positively influenced them during their time in the Rockland Public Schools. Second, it allows elementary and middle school aged children to see the success of our graduates, to see the accomplishment of graduating from Rockland High School as the seniors begin the next phase of their life journey,” Principal Harrison said.

Principal Harrison added that as the Rockland graduates go on to attend college, serve in the military, or begin their careers, their accomplishments are shared by all of Rockland’s teachers and staff members who have prepared them to be successful.

“It’s a complete team effort, K-12,” he said.

The students laughed, smiled, and even shed a few nostalgic tears and hugs with former teachers.

Superintendent Cron and Principal Harrison wish to thank and acknowledge the work of senior class adviser Samantha Hoyo and Rockland High School teachers Kathy Hoffman and Kristen Walsh, who accompanied the students on their trip around town.

Click here for more information and photos from this event.

Rockland High School’s Class of 2018 Graduates June 1 at 7 pm at the Rockland Memorial Stadium.

###