Graduation speakers 2008: Minuteman Regional High School Senior Class President Erica Linstrom of Stow (center), Salutatorian Michael Lavy of Waltham (left) and Valedictorian Elizabeth Haberkorn of Stow (right).

In keeping with Minuteman tradition, Senior Class President Erica Linstrom of Stow joined the valedictorian and salutatorian in addressing their classmates and their families at the ceremony, which took place at 2 pm on the Minuteman football field under a large formal tent. In addition to these three graduates, other speakers included Superintendent-Director Dr. Edward Bouquillon, Assistant Superintendent-Director Thomas Markham, Principal James Laverty, and Senior Class Adviser Charles Bruno. Adding their congratulations through the distribution of diplomas were the following members of the Regional School Committee: Mary Ellen Castagno of Wayland, Joseph Scali of Belmont, David Harmon of Weston, Laura Morrissette of Arlington, Ford Spaulding of Dover and Kemon Taschioglou of Lincoln.

Mr. Laverty is pleased to announce that the Class of 2008 currently boasts a 97% positive placement rate, meaning that 66% of the class is college-bound, 30% will soon be successfully employed within their field of study and 1% are entering military service. Minuteman Regional High School officials are also pleased to report that 100% of the Class of 2008 successfully passed the state-required MCAS tests in English and Math noting that all class members achieved this benchmark. Vocational certification rates were also high with 82% of the class graduating with the distinction of being “occupationally proficient” across a challenging series of both industry and academic skills and standards that students learn and are tested against over a three and a half year period. “These placement, MCAS and certification rates are impressive as exceeding the state baseline standards is every high school’s goal, but Minuteman students continue to advance to the highest of levels across the spectrum of testing metrics,” said Assistant Superintendent Thomas Markham.

In congratulating these three students on their class distinction, Principal James Laverty said, “Everyone at Minuteman joins with these students’ families in being very proud of them. Elizabeth, Michael and Erica are outstanding representatives of both Minuteman and the Class of 2008, and we look forward to their future success and accomplishments.”

Elizabeth Haberkorn, a Early Childhood Education major from Stow, will be attending Drexel University in the fall with Michael Lavy, a Drafting major from Waltham, attending the Engineering College at the University of Massachusetts and Erica Linstrom, a Culinary Arts major from Stow, attending the Culinary Institute of America.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and dedication, but it has definitely paid off,” Elizabeth said of her years at Minuteman. “I believe in working as hard as you can to do as well as you can. I’m honored to be the class valedictorian.”

The Minuteman Scholarship Committee was pleased to award over $45,000 in scholarships and awards to graduates with ten of the most prestigious being recognized at the Commencement ceremony, namely: Amanda Gray, a Medical Occupations major from Lexington receiving the Minuteman Faculty Association Award; Keyona Bell, a Culinary Arts major from Arlington receiving the Senior Class Spirit Award; Erica Naser, a Culinary Arts major from Arlington receiving the Roger Eleftherakis Memorial Scholarship; Thomas DiPaolo, an Electrical Wiring major from Lynnfield receiving the male Student-Athlete of the Year and Erica Naser the female Student-Athlete of the Year; John Scaduto, a Biotechnology major from Arlington receiving the Dr. Ronald Fitzgerald Scholarship; Thomas DiPaolo and Bradley Tower, an Electrical Wiring major from Boxborough both receiving the Principal’s Attendance Awards; Christopher Hansen, an Electromechanical Engineering major from Medford receiving the Minuteman Parent Association’s National Honor Society Scholarship and Erica Linstrom receiving the Principal’s Award. Superintendent Bouquillon had the pleasure of honoring the two students recognized as the most outstanding vocational students of the year. Benjamin Howell, a Carpentry major from Acton was recognized as Minuteman’s student of the year and Christopher Hansen, an Electromechanical Engineering major from Medford, was named the Massachusetts Outstanding Vocational Student of the Year by the Massachusetts Vocational Teachers Association. A roster of the 2008 graduates is available by clicking here.