Students anxious to taste freedom.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

DUDLEY - The 34th commencement at Shepherd Hill Regional High School gave 247 young men and women the "freedom to travel without a pass."

An estimated 2,500 gathered at the Hill yesterday to celebrate and send off the class of 2007.

Principal Timothy M. Schur shared a list published by seniors in the school newspaper enumerating the top ten reasons they are glad to be graduating.

With "Bye-bye to the parking lot traffic" and "Toodles to Tater Tots in the cafeteria," the "freedom to travel without a pass" was indeed granted by receiving a diploma.

Mr. Schur presented posthumous diplomas to the parents of Jeremy D. Carroll and Nicolaos A. Dubois; two seniors whose lives were lost in separate incidents this spring.

The entire student body and staff joined in a tribute to the young men Friday, and many seniors wore photographs of Jeremy and Nicolaos pinned to their graduation gowns.

Alluding to the loss, Superintendent of Schools Sean M. Gilrein said, "Throughout this year, you have experienced some of life's most difficult lessons. Collectively, you have provided strength for each other and our community. For that, and so much more, I thank you."

Sean T. Montville, Student Council president, spoke to his classmates of the bonds formed by years of shared experiences.

"We have laughed - cried - laughed until we cried. In the end we have become one big family. Do not forget those people who made you who you are today."

A presentation of the first Albert L. Thibaudeau Memorial Scholarship awards of $2,500 went to Taryn Gilrein of Charlton and Justin Daniels of Dudley. The selection was based on students' blind submission of a letter to Gov. Deval L. Patrick advocating increased funding for public education.

Mr. Thibaudeau, former superintendent of schools for the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District, died of cancer Oct. 5. 2006. He was raised in Charlton and worked for the school system for 37 years before his retirement in 2001.

Senior Class President Alexander G. Heinrich said to his classmates, "Stop and look at the world around you. We will all share one thing, we are the class of Shepherd Hill 2007 and there is nothing we can't overcome."

Of the 247 graduates, 208 - or 84 percent - plan to attend college. The class includes eight who will go on to technical school, four to the military, and 21 who have their sights set on entering the work force.

SHEPHERD HILL

CLASS OF 2007

Wael A. Aldayoub, Amy B. Andersen, Vanessa L. Andre, Allison M. Androlewicz, Brittany M. Ault, Ariana M. Baillargeon, *Emily A. Baniukiewicz, Heather A. Bartel, *Ellen E. Bartolini, Brittany L. Berry, Shazia Bi, Sarah A. Blair, Thomas N. Bolio, *Emily R. Bouvier, Ashley T. Brennan, Stephanie R. Brink, Alexandra C. Brochu, Stephen M. Bruder, Kyle G. Buxton, Lauren M. Byrnes, Calvin C. Cadoret, *Catherine N. Campbell, Korie A. Caplette, Leandra J. Carey, Janelle M. Carito, Asley M. Carnevale, +Jeremy D. Carroll, *Christopher B. Carter, Britney L. Catron, Samantha J. Chase, *Michael M. Chateauneuf, Cassandra J. Chisholm...