Cheers from the Dartmouth High School Class of 2023 echoed through the gymnasium as they graduated together as “One Dartmouth” on Sunday, June 4.

Dartmouth High School Principal Ryan Shea described the class as the “generation of determination” due to the graduates' perseverance throughout their four years.

To the students he said, “it was determination that was your guide, it was determination that left you here today as Dartmouth High School graduates.”

These remarks come as class of 2023 dealt with the Covid pandemic, only six months into their first year of high school. Despite the barriers the class encountered, they persisted, creating new organizations such as a comic book club, a fishing club and the addition of the best buddies program and black student union.

Along with their many accomplishments throughout difficult years, the graduates fostered a tight-knit community. 

Valedictorian and Class of 2023 president Sean Martin, who will attend Harvard College in the fall, continued this sentiment, emphasizing the tenacity of the school’s 239 graduates.

Martin spoke on the importance of community and close relationships as the graduates look to their futures.

“There will always be more to do, another meeting to attend and seemingly not enough time to do it all,” Martin said. “But nothing is more important than having strong relationships with those around you.”

And the Class of 2023 had a strong relationship with special education teacher and track coach John Breault. In his keynote speech, Breault highlighted the strong community that exists among Dartmouth High students, referencing the senior awards night he attended on May 24.

“When each [student was] called to the stage, the applause that followed was sincere,” said Breault. “And it’s that sincerity and the ability to love and support the people around you that will take you far in your life's endeavors.”

With the end of their high school experience, Class of 2023 secretary Julia Farias found comfort in the school’s production of “Mamma Mia!” quoting the song “Our Last Summer” as it will be their “last summers as kids,” she said.

Shea encouraged the graduates to continue using their talents of determination and community-building in their futures.

“You are going to make the world a better place, all you need to do is take your skills with you.” He left them with the summer camp mantra: “Be safe, be kind, have fun.”

The top ten graduates of Dartmouth High School are off to college in the fall. The salutatorian, Alexandra Cojocaru will attend Toronto University, Phoenix Campbell will attend the University of Connecticut, Kevin Leong will attend Northeastern University, Kevin Lin will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Shafer Marcovici will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sofia Dias will attend the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Serena Carnes will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Emma Smola will attend Emmanuel College and Nayan Bala will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.