By Amber Angove—For the North Star Reporter
As graduates crossed the stage at Bishop Feehan High School’s commencement ceremony, speakers repeatedly returned to one central idea — the future is arriving quickly, and the Class of 2026 will help shape it.
The May 28 ceremony opened with bagpipes playing as graduates entered McGrath Stadium, beginning an evening focused on hope, community, and the responsibility of building a more compassionate world in an age increasingly shaped by digital technology.
Bishop of Fall River, Most Reverend Edgar Moreira da Cunha, spoke directly about the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern life, encouraging graduates to remain grounded in compassion and humanity.
“The choice is not between accepting or rejecting technology, but between a use that undermines and one that safeguards the human person,” said da Cunha.
He acknowledged both the awe and anxiety surrounding technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of living beyond easily accessible screens and instantaneous digital communication.
“The future isn’t written for us, it is waiting to be built by us,” da Cunha said.
Class of 2026 Valedictorian Alexander Bove reflected on the ways education shapes both individuals and the future they create. He encouraged his classmates to recognize the value of their own hard work and growth throughout their time at Bishop Feehan.
“Nothing I have said today will hold a candle to the effort you have put in, or the work you will do in the future,” Bose said.
Bishop Feehan President Timothy Sullivan Jr. welcomed graduates into the Bishop Feehan alumni community and spoke about the importance of building meaningful relationships beyond high school.
“Community takes more effort, but you know how to do that,” Sullivan said. “Don’t wait for community to find you, the way it found you here, become the person who builds it.”
During the ceremony, Brody Bumila was named Man of the Year, while Lekhana Maria Pallapotula received the Woman of the Year award.
As graduates turned their tassels and concluded their time at Bishop Feehan, speakers left the Class of 2026 with a shared message — the future ahead may be increasingly driven by technology, but it will still depend on empathy, community and the people willing to shape it.