By Geena Monahan–For the North Star Reporter
It was a cloudy, cool spring night at Bishop Feehan High School on Thursday, May 29, but smiles were bright as friends, family, teachers and alumni gathered to celebrate the graduating Class of 2025.
Donned in green and white gowns and caps, 254 graduates made their way down to McGrath Field for the high school’s 61st graduation ceremony, welcomed in by the sounds of bagpipes playing. The Rev. Craig Pregana started the ceremony off with a prayer, followed by greetings from Bishop Feehan President Timothy Sullivan.
“You’ve made Feehan better, stronger, warmer, through the gifts of you,” said Sullivan. “In just a short time we will proudly call you Bishop Feehan graduates; you’ve earned that honor in every single way.”
The top three graduates in the Class of ‘25 were Rohit De, valedictorian, James Kennedy, salutatorian and Katherine Zhang, tree dedicator. Of the top 10 students, three hailed from North Attleborough: Ritikia Roy, William Sadler and Madelyn Steel.
De stood in front of the crowd to give his valedictorian speech, focusing on the strengths of his classmates and what it means to represent Bishop Feehan, both in and out of the classroom.
“I felt supported by all, and I am truly grateful for that. . . people showed openness, kindness and acceptance,” said De. “Maya Angelou said ‘when people show you who they are, believe them.’ Who will people believe you to be?”
De also looked back on what was a challenging freshman year for his classmates, one that consisted of masks, outdoor lunches and cancelled midterms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We live, as young adults, in interesting times, to say the least,” said De. “A lot has changed since then and that’s to be expected, because change is one of those things that’s constant in life.”
The final speech of the night was given by Principal Sean Kane, who called the Class of ‘25 “extraordinary” and “unforgettable.” Kane presented the Man and Woman of the year Award to two students who best exemplified the ideals and values of Feehan: Aidan Neary, who is attending West Point Military Academy in the fall and Adrianna DaRosa, who will be going to Marist University.
“You’re the kind of class that leads with hope and courage,” said Kane. “Our highest compliments to you — you made Feehan more Feehan.”
Once the speeches concluded, the graduates joined together to sing Bishop Feehan’s “Alma Mater,” closing out their four years together one last time in unison. DaRosa led her fellow classmates in the cap toss, counting to three before the mortarboards were thrown into the sky.
After the ceremony, Steel spoke with the North Star Reporter, reflecting on her four years at Bishop Feehan. Steel is off to Tufts University in the fall on a pre-dental track, where she will also play basketball, a sport that shaped her time at Feehan.
When asked about her favorite memory of her high school years, Steel recalled when her team won the girl’s basketball state championship her junior year.
To Steel, the friendships she made at Feehan and the teachers who shaped her experiences are what she will miss most when she heads to college in the fall. Carrie Smith, vice principal of student life, and Amy Dolores, the girls basketball coach, were two in particular who left a lasting impression on Steel.
“I’m going to miss seeing all my friends every day, I have a really good group of friends. You don’t realize how much you’re with them until you suddenly stop seeing them every day,” said Steel. “I’m also going to miss my teachers a lot, I had a really good support system.”