Mendon-Upton eighth-graders celebrated at commencement; speaker urges curiosity and community

Doctor Benoit, speaking at the Mendon-Upton Regional School District eighth-grade commencement, encouraged students to remain curious, support one another and use their interests to contribute to their communities. "Eighth grade isn't just the end of middle school," Doctor Benoit said, adding that students should "use what makes you unique to make a difference."

Doctor Benoit framed her address with the children's book Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, summarizing the story and its lesson that people can follow their passions while also "doing something to make the world more beautiful." She told students, "You don't need to know exactly what your path looks like yet," and urged them to keep exploring in classrooms, on fields, on stages and in their communities.

The ceremony opened with the Misco Hill a cappella performing the national anthem and continued with teachers introducing homerooms and a roll call of students. Families and school staff were thanked for their support: "To the families with us today, thank you for cheering your students on," Doctor Benoit said, and she also thanked teachers and staff for making the school community "a place where students feel seen and supported."

Several teachers were named as introducing homerooms during the event, including Miss Kennett, Miss Holloway, Miss McCord and Mister O'Connell. The program included a long roster of student names called aloud as part of the graduation exercises.

The ceremony concluded with a charge to the graduates: "Go forward with confidence and never stop becoming who you are meant to be. Congratulations to the Misco class of 2025 and the high school class of 2029. You are dismissed," a speaker said at the close of the event.