Tantasqua Regional High.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Jim Russell

STURBRIDGE - Death, injury and property damage caused by the tornadoes last week were on people's minds during Tantasqua Regional School District's graduation yesterday.

Superintendent Daniel G. Durgin mentioned Wednesday's violent storm, telling a packed field house: "This week I have witnessed devastation beyond my imagination." The school chief lauded the region's response, noting the "compassion" and community spirit that included neighbor helping neighbor. Mr. Durgin reminded graduating seniors about the importance of volunteerism.

The Reed family of Wales sat watching their son, Brentt D. Reed, 18, graduate. The father, Richard R. Reed, 48, talked about the tornado wreckage, saying he appreciates how fortunate his family was to escape unscathed.

"Driving by all the destruction to get to the school" is sobering, Mr. Reed said. "Some have no house to go home to. A lot of people were affected."

He sat with his wife, Paulette B. Reed, 41; their eldest daughter, Shannon, 22, a Tantasqua alum; and their youngest, Corrie, who will enter the high school as a freshman in the fall.

Class of 2011 President Jocelyn Hoye spoke, saying relationships are the most important thing in life.

Recalling her school experience, she said: "It was the people that mattered most, your coaches, your teachers, your friends," adding, "Never forget the relationships you built and never stop making new ones."

Michael Julian gave the address as the Academic Honor Student, urging his classmates to "Show up" even when they do not feel like it.

"Don't sacrifice all the work you did by giving up," he said.

The graduating class chose as commencement theme a famous piece of Mark Twain's writing: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

The Tantasqua district comprises Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, Sturbridge, and Wales.

Here is a list of the Class of 2011.

Patrick Caswell Adams; Maria Elisa Aglibot; Anthony Michael Alberini; Benjamin Richard Allen; Courtney Beth Allen; Tyler Brandon Allen; Cassandra Lee Amadio; Shannon Lynne Anderson; Chyna Aquino,**; Cian Galloway Ashworth; Jacqueline Ann Balducci; Jacob Richard Barnes; Ryan Downey Batchelor; Alex James Beaudoin; Samantha Nicole Beaudry; Amber Connie Beaulieu; Ashley Rose Benoit,**; Brandon Michael Benoit...