An electronic atmosphere.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Linda Bock

NORTHBORO-There was more electronic equipment - camcorders, digital cameras, cell phones, iPods - at Algonquin Regional High School's graduation ceremony yesterday afternoon than at a Best Buy store on the night before Christmas.

There was constant picture-taking, text-messaging and camcorder-recording from the minute the ceremony began at 2 p.m. and 344 graduates paraded into the double gymnasium jam-packed with cheering families, friends, teachers and administrators, throughout speeches and musical selections, and then the awarding of diplomas and turning of tassels.

Acting Superintendent Charles E. Gobron welcomed more than 1,500 to the ceremony yesterday, pointed out the incredible opportunities the graduates experienced at the high school, and then asked for a brief moment of silence for Rosemary Joseph, 54, who had been superintendent of the Northboro, Southboro and Northboro-Southboro Regional districts for less than a year when she died suddenly on April 10.

Ebram A. Megally, class president, spoke about the massive high school construction project the class has had to endure. Taking tests through jackhammers and drills often, was the story of the class he said, and "How we made the best of what was around."

Teachers John Frederick and Gary Hreschuk delivered a lively and entertaining commencement address.

"I don't know if anything we tell you today will change your life," Mr. Hreschuk said. The two men each stood at lecterns and took turns delivering pearls of wisdom, sprinkled with humor and even a nod to their own parents.

"Treating people with respect might be the most important lesson of all," Mr. Frederick said.

Valedictorian Bryan P. Chu and graduate Theresa C. Waters followed with a musical performance. Mr. Chu accompanied Miss Waters on the piano as she sang "In the Beginning" by Stephen Schwartz, and then Salutatorian Bernard Cammarata told graduates not to be afraid of failure, or making mistakes. He quoted Elbert Hubbard, "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."

The class chose Jonathan M. Doucette to be their speaker, and he said there were simply no words to adequately describe the high school's impact on each one of the graduates. He urged each of them to revel in their "unbelievable moment" yesterday.

Next, graduates Neil R. Bescle, Timothy P. McGrail, John M. Reardon, Christopher S. Tobin and Carl L. Mueller followed, and delighted their...