The Class of 2021 graduated from Medfield High School during a ceremony on June 6. Class President Chloe Dudley began the commencement ceremony with a speech and welcome. (Photo courtesy Grynn & Barrett Photography for Medfield High School) 
Medfield seniors Nicole Murray, Alessandra Kelley and Maria Neafus sing the National Anthem during the graduation ceremony held June 6. (Photo courtesy Grynn & Barrett Photography for Medfield High School) 
Medfield seniors were able to celebrate their achievements with a parade through the town and past their schools on June 5. Pictured is Reis Hanna. (Photo courtesy Danielle DuRoss Photography) 
Grace Lautz (front) and Sarah Lautz at the Rolling Rally on June 5. (Photo courtesy Danielle DuRoss Photography) 
From left: Sam Palmer, Krista Anderson, Dennis Folan, Ella Pezzullo and Jackson Foscaldo at the Party in the Park on June 5. (Photo courtesy Danielle DuRoss Photography)
MEDFIELD — Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden is pleased to announce the graduation of 194 students from Medfield High School.
An outdoor graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, June 6 at the Medfield High School turf athletic field. Graduates sat with four guests in a socially-distanced pod setting.
The ceremony began with a welcome address to graduates, faculty, staff and guests from Class of 2021 President Chloe Dudley. Members of the Medfield chorus Nicole Murray, Alessandra Kelley and Maria Neafus sang the National Anthem. Honor essayists Catherine Bergland and Erin Sullivan as well as Senior Speaker Marissa Gorog all delivered speeches.
Superintendent Mardsen, Principal Robert Parga and Medfield School Committee Chairperson Jessica Reilly also addressed the graduates.
Dudley began by thanking the faculty of Medfield High as well as her fellow class officers and advisors for their hard work during the year. She told lighthearted stories about the Class of 2021’s time at Medfield as well as congratulated her classmates on completing their high school years during a pandemic.
“Although no one could have expected we would be spending the majority of our school days on Zoom, the perseverance, courage and positivity I saw from my classmates continually impressed me and made me proud to be your class president,” Dudley said.
Honor essayists Bergland and Sullivan were both selected after applying to speak at graduation. Bergland will be attending Middlebury College but has deferred her acceptance and instead will take a gap year to attend the National Outdoor Leadership School. She focused on how the world has changed during their time in Medfield and listed many events that have occurred nationwide since the senior class began kindergarten 13 years ago.
“So much has happened, even more than what I have listed here, and so much more is yet to come: good and bad, beautiful and painful,” Bergland said. “We may not be together in the future to celebrate the world’s times of growth or mourn in the darkest moments. But know that you have the support of the foundation you have built here.”
Sullivan will be attending the University of Pennsylvania this fall. She spoke about the importance of advocacy and how the lessons learned at Medfield can translate to that field.
“Blind acceptance and conformity threatens who we are as graduates. Our education has taught us to never be a bystander in this ever-changing world, to stand true to ourselves, and to never settle for less,” Sullivan said.
“Our students are respectful, inclusive, responsible, hardworking, polite and more specifically to the Class of 2021, resilient,” Superintendent Marsden said. “I can honestly say that over the past year, the class of 2021 has exemplified resilience in all aspects of their life.”
“Seniors, you’ll join a list of Medfield High School alums, so many of whom have made significant contributions to their respective communities. I have no doubt that many of you will do the same,” Principal Parga said to end the ceremony. “Because what this year has taught you, is that no matter the circumstances, you have the skillset to handle what comes your way. Remember to be thoughtful, patient, measured and understanding.”
Diplomas were then presented to the graduates by Superintendent Marsden and Principal Parga.
The full ceremony can be viewed here, courtesy Medfield TV.
The Class of 2021 was able to celebrate their accomplishments with the Senior Cruise in Boston Harbor on June 4, which traditionally takes place in September to kick off the year. They also participated in a virtual Senior Recognition Night and two outdoor events, the Rolling Rally where seniors decorated their cars and had a parade route through town and past the schools, as well as a Party in the Park after the rally on June 5. There was also a Senior Prom for the Class of 2021 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on May 14.
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