Itemlive

North Shore news powered by The Daily Item

Peabody High graduate Catherine Quaresma pumps her fists as she walks to receive her diploma. (Bob Carbone)

Peabody High graduates 333

Amanda Lurey

by

PEABODY — As the 333 Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Class of 2026 graduates dressed in navy and white gowns walked onto Coley Lee Field Friday evening, the love was palpable.

Among the booming air horns, the impressively-loud whistling, and the eruptions of applause, one truth became obvious. Every face in the stands shared the same expression: pride.

Class of 2026 Co-Presidents Tanairi Casiano and Steven Hachey began the ceremony by honoring a fellow Tanner who truly left a mark: Freddy Espinal, who died in September 2024 from a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart condition.

“There is not a day that passes where we do not think of you, Freddy… Though you are no longer here with us, your presence is still felt within the Class of 2026, and your legacy will forever live on,” Casiano said prior to a moment of silence.

A seat was reserved for Espinal; his cap and gown were placed there as well, resting against a heartfelt message: “We know you would be here today if heaven wasn’t so far away. We’ve reserved this seat in loving memory of Freddy whose spirit is with us today.”

Principal Brooke Randall reminded graduates that certainty about the future is not a prerequisite for success.

“No matter where you are in your journey, one thing I can tell you with certainty is this: You do not need to have it all figured out today. In fact, some of the most meaningful opportunities in life come from unexpected turns along the way,” she said.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt joked that the best gift he could give the crowd was to be brief, and he was. He told the graduates to follow their dreams, listen to their hearts, and emphasized: “We are all rooting for you to make a positive difference in our world.”

Superintendent Dr. Josh Vadala also exercised brevity, quickly introducing Class of ‘76 alumna and School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne, who thought back to her high school years.

“Fifty years goes by in the blink of an eye… What seems ordinary right now will seem extraordinary when you take the time to reflect on your life. Cherish your friends, and stay in touch,” she said.

Class of 2020 alumnus Alex Serino highlighted that the journey to finding your voice is paramount, often by having the crowd reply back to him. He also implored the graduates to make mistakes and take risks because “that’s where the growth happens; that’s where confidence comes from.”

Stephanie Dallaire, of the Peabody Institute Library Board of Trustees, recognized the eight George Peabody Medal recipients: Valedictorian Kaelyn Veltry, Salutatorian Elizabeth Bettencourt, Senior Essayist Sydney Lynch, Mia Riley Norton, Alana Rosa, Jacob Crocker, Seamus Jon Galvin, and Rena Deftos.

Lynch’s essay focused on embracing uncertainty: “Wherever the life you live may take you next, remember that you might not have all the answers, but with time, you will always figure it out.”

Elizabeth Bettencourt discussed how it’s important to be “comfortable enough to be uncomfortable,” as that is what “will get us through the next chapter of our lives.”

Veltry created a metaphor where an antique tea cup collecting dust over decades symbolized an untouched, unused high school diploma.

“Your high school education is so valuable,” she said. “Don’t treat it like a mere trophy on your shelf. Use this day as a launching pad into your future — no matter what that path might look like.”

The PVMHS Concert Choir and Full House A Cappella, conducted by Jon Simmons, performed “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield before the diplomas were presented.

Arguably the loudest, definitely the longest, ovation came when Espinal’s name was read, and his parents, Rafael Espinal Duran and Adell LaBonte, walked in his honor.

As tassels were moved from right to left and caps soared into the evening sky, the Class of 2026 officially closed one chapter and stepped into the next.

  • Amanda Lurey has been a news reporter for The Daily Item since February 2025 when she moved to Massachusetts from Oregon. Amanda is originally from Los Angeles, but she is passionate about traveling and seeing all that the world has to offer. She’s been to five continents so far, most recently checking Antarctica off her list, and she is also well known for being an animal lover at heart.

    View all posts

Related posts:

Bishop Fenwick Graduates 112 Manager decided for Peabody High project Peabody student finds personal power through stock success St. John’s Prep graduates 279 seniors

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this content, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.