Dear Class of 2025,
Four years ago, you walked into Doherty Memorial High School with masks on your faces, anxiety in your hearts, and the world spinning with uncertainty. You were a class shaped by distance, yet determined to connect. A class that knew isolation, but chose resilience. You’ve rewritten what it means to persevere—and today, we celebrate you.
Your journey was unlike any other. You began high school not with crowded hallways and spirited pep rallies, but with pixelated screens and breakout rooms. You learned to raise your hands through a button, to read novels from PDFs, and to engage in discussions without ever sharing the same air. When the world asked for patience, you gave it. When it demanded strength, you delivered.
But what makes the Class of 2025 truly remarkable isn’t just how you adapted—it’s how you soared. You came back into classrooms and relearned how to navigate friendships, laughter, in-person exams, and handwritten notes. You supported each other, lifted one another up, and grew into leaders, scholars, artists, and dreamers.
As your chapter at Doherty comes to a close, your teachers—those who have watched you grow from behind their desks—have a few final words for you:
Mrs. French (Math) reminds you: “Step outside your comfort zone!”
Mrs. Montgomery (School Counseling) offers: “Take one day at a time and don’t ever give up! You may take a different road or a detour to get to where you want to go, but keep moving forward and do the best that you can each day. Get out of your comfort zone, you’ll never know unless you try! Best of luck—we are so proud of you!”
Mr. Bucciaglia (Psychology) urges you: “Enjoy your youth!!!”
Mrs. Fairfull (Head Guidance Counselor) shares this heartfelt wisdom:
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The more you put in, the more you get out. Be nice to everyone, but choose your friends wisely. Be present and look toward a positive future. You got this! Congratulations—you’ve reached an important milestone in your life, so be proud of yourself!”
Ms. Hill (AP Biology) offers the simple, powerful advice: “Good luck to all of the members of the Class of 2025! Never stop learning!”
To every senior: You’ve shown us what it means to be Highlanders. You’ve shown grace under pressure, passion in times of fatigue, and resilience in moments of doubt. You’ve inspired your peers, your teachers, and your community. You are more than the challenges you’ve faced—you are the change-makers, the voices of tomorrow, and the living proof that nothing can dim your light.
And now, on a personal note—this is my final story for the Highlanders Herald. Writing for you has been one of the greatest honors of my high school experience. I want to thank the teachers who made these hallways feel like home: Ms. Gagne, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Toloczko, Ms. McGowan, Ms. Tencza and Mr. Zafon—thank you for making Doherty more welcoming, for believing in me when I doubted myself, and for supporting me every step of the way. Your kindness and encouragement helped shape who I am today.
To the Class of 2025: we did it. Be proud of every step you’ve taken to get here. Your story is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see the difference you’ll make in the world.
With love,
Jailene V. Matias
Senior Staff Writer, Highlanders Herald
Class of 2025
=
