Pembroke High School awards diplomas to Class of 2025; students credited in accreditation work

Pembroke High School held its graduation ceremony for the class of 2025, during which school leaders certified that diploma candidates met the requirements set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Pembroke Public Schools School Committee and pronounced the graduates as the class of 2025.

The event opened with Principal Mark Talbot welcoming families, staff and students and thanking school custodial, facilities and safety staff for preparing the ceremony. Mr. Talbot also told the graduates the class had played a central role in a multi‑year accreditation process, saying, “We did earn our tenure accreditation. The visiting team and the NEASC commission voted overwhelmingly to award us that distinction.”

In her remarks, Superintendent Erin Obi congratulated graduates and urged them to apply the district’s values beyond high school. Allison Glennon, vice chair of the Pembroke School Committee, offered congratulations and thanked teachers and families for supporting the class. John G. Brown, vice chair of the Pembroke Select Board, told students the town looks forward to seeing what they do next.

Student leaders delivered a series of speeches. Class President Catherine Jaycey asked attendees for a moment of silence for recently deceased staff and classmates and urged graduates to “live in the moment.” Class Vice President Olivia Sowersby led the pledge of allegiance. Valedictorian Jordan Fay and salutatorian Daniel Nogaer addressed classmates on themes of risk, growth and kindness; Nogaer closed his remarks with the encapsulating line, “Have courage and be kind.” Other student speakers, including Jack Gill, reflected on resilience, community and the transition from high school to next steps.

The ceremony recognized students committed to military service and included musical performances by the Pembroke High School chamber singers and band under director Gwen Chapman. Assistant principals David Ricks and Kristen Kelly, along with school committee vice chair Allison Glennon, presented diploma candidates as names were read. Principal Talbot certified the candidates’ completion of requirements and pronounced them graduates “by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by the Pembroke Public Schools School Committee,” closing the ceremony.

The program also included extended acknowledgement of staff whose work contributed to the graduation logistics: custodial staff led by Mike Dorgan; facilities and athletics staff including Athletic Director Brian Phillips and Katie Akins; SRO Officer Simmons and Pembroke Police Department assistance; and administrative staff Kristen Harrington and Donna Frates. Sound and technical support were provided by alumnus Ryan Antonetti.

Graduates were read aloud in the ceremony program; the class president earlier stated the graduating class included 169 students. The district’s recently formalized “portrait of a Pembroke Titan” — effective communicator, engaged citizen, meaningful collaborator and empowered learner — was a recurring theme of remarks from administrators and was cited as a framework used during the accreditation process.

Diplomas were awarded in a ceremonial tassel transfer and the class was pronounced graduated at the conclusion of the program.