MORE GRADUATION PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
NORTHAMPTON — The teacher, in jest, put his sage advice for graduating seniors in terms he hoped they’d better understand.
“There are other important people in your life besides ‘bae,’” Eric Scammons, the co-class adviser said from the lectern at the Hampshire Regional High School graduation Friday evening.
Among his other bits of advice:
“Not everything in life is going to be ‘dank.’”
“Just put down your phone for five minutes. Please.”
The 140 seniors in John M. Greene Hall at Smith College erupted in laughter and cheers and applause.
Among those graduating was Bailly Walunas, 18, of Southampton. For Walunas, graduation day was about recognizing her new, independent life.
Before commencement, Walunas stood outside with the rest of her classmates and reflected on the day she said it all began — May 16, this year’s unofficial senior skip day.
On that Monday, Walunas showed up for school anyway.
After all, she said, her record for perfect attendance was on the line.
“I think that was me just being a little cautious,” said Walunas, who will study management at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, in the fall. “I think that’s why my classmates voted me as president, to take precautions and make sure everybody has what they need.”
But when she arrived at the school that morning, Walunas was greeted by a vast, empty parking lot.
“Showing up at school and seeing the parking lot empty was, like, the best feeling ever,” Walunas said. “It’s like our class is finally doing something as one.”
So after attending school for half the day — that way she could receive an excused absence — Walunas joined the other seniors at Conant Memorial Park in Southampton.
“Because we are such a small class, we all really bond together well,” she said.
It was a day filled with pick-up volleyball games and pizza and McDonald’s French fries, Walunas recalled.
“It was relief, it was joy, it was everyone coming together,” she said. “It was just great.”
Walunas said she could not help but feel proud of her decision, one that she made all on her own. She marveled at the newfound sense of independence.
“I think it was more like ‘wow, I can make my own decisions now,’” Walunas said. “I can choose to go to my senior skip day and that kind of thing.”
She continued, “Tonight even, being here, driving myself here, it’s just great.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com or 413-585-5234.