CLAREMONT — Stevens High School graduations frequently include an unusual musical selection and this year was no different as several graduates sang “Homeward Bound” by Marta Keen Thompson. The song encourages listeners to embark on a journey to find their calling, while understanding that they can return home to loved ones.

Accompanied by the Stevens band, graduates Olivia Desilets and Terry Thibedau, who also sang the National Anthem together, joined classmates Adysan Vire, Morgan Tremblay, McKenzie Baker and Ari Carr on stage during the 154th Stevens graduation inside the Carr gymnasium on Thursday evening.

The song’s concept of being adventurous while remembering one’s roots was conveyed by others during the commencement.

“Go out and do great things, do what makes you happy and remember where you came from,” Jennifer Ferland, co-advisor to the class, said as a final farewell to the graduates.

The evening began with the traditional march down the middle of the gym to “Pomp and Circumstance,” while family and friends clicked photos of their favorite graduate.

Newly appointed SAU 6 Superintendent Chris Pratt congratulated the students for their resiliency and determination in adapting to many changes the last four years, including three principals, and said these qualities will serve them well in their future.

Pratt urged them “continue to question, explore and grow” and remember the lessons learned, friendships forged and their experiences that will be the foundation of their future.

Valedictorian Cameron Ferland began her remarks by thanking her parents, brother and sister for their support and encouragement during her high school journey.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better family; a better support system,” Ferland said. “You guys are the best.”

Introduced by former Stevens High School field hockey coach Patty Deschaine, who described her player using words of her teammates including “caring, dedicated and fun,” Ferland compared leaving Stevens to the change ahead for her personally with the recent sale of her family’s home. It’s a change she has become accustomed to because her father was in the Air Force.

But a house is just walls, windows, doors and a floor, just like a school, she said. Now it is time for the graduates to move beyond the walls of Stevens.

“As I pack up my house, I pack up the past four years,” Ferland said, reminiscing about fun and challenging experiences in the classroom and halls of Stevens, and telling her classmates their experiences have had meaning as well.

“Most of all, though, we grew,” said Ferland, who will attend Boston University. “We grew, and we learned. Not just the subjects taught us, but about ourselves and about each other.

“As we leave Stevens, all of us will continue to grow, find new groups to be a part of, new friends, new families. Congratulations everyone. We deserve to be proud of ourselves and we deserve to be proud of all the things we will accomplish as we keep going through our lives.”

Language Arts teacher Sondra Hardin introduced Salutatorian Angelina Lin, calling her a “thoughtful, funny, incredibly brave and motivated young lady who has inspired me every day.”

Lin, who received the Edgar L. Lord Faculty Award and will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said she entered Stevens focused on getting good grades but gradually came to realize that while grades are important, they did not define her or her happiness. Rather “it’s the relationships, attitudes and memories that matter.”

Lin thanked her family, Hardin and teacher Matthew Hammond, as well as her friends, for being important to her success. She also asked her classmates to thank their friends “for being there when you needed them.”

Lin said together they struggled, joked and got into some mischief on occasion, but in the end, they all made it through high school and should be praised for their accomplishments.

“Friends, I thank you for running beside me in this journey. And teachers, on behalf of the class of 2024, I thank you for the time and effort you’ve given to us.”

Principal Michael Herrington ended the evening by telling the graduates that adversity will certainly enter their lives at some point but they should remember to “do your best when things are not working out.” It matters most “how you pick yourself up and carry on.”

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.

Class of 2024

Ava Nikole Ackerman, employment; McKenzie Renee Baker, employment; Aiden Daniel Barry, Norwich University; Zachery William Bascom, returning to Stevens High School; Skye Haley Bates, River Valley Community College; Katilyn Mercadies Bedard, employment; Lucas Andrew Belisle, Keene State College; Kevin John Brand, employment; Rowan Bennett Brothers, University of New Hampshire Manchester; Kiley Jean Bundy, Keene State College; Shirley Joyce Butterfield, University of New Hampshire; Jayden Paul Cannistraci, employment; Christopher John Carbee, employment; Ariana Lynn Carr, St. Michael’s College; Koledyn Patrick Casey, Wingate University; Brennan Joseph Cass, employment; Tyler Henry Christian, New England College; Zandria Lynn Colburn, Plymouth State University; Hailey Marie Davis, Plymouth State University; Isabella Maria Delgado Gutierrez, returning home, exchange student; Jason Chad Hamilton Demars, Norwich University; Olivia Leigh Desilets, employment; Izabela Rose Eitapence, Emmanuel College; Mishal Farhan, River Valley Community College; Jackson Davis Fellows, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Cameron Leigh Ferland, Boston University; Mason Parker Ferland, employment; Christopher Lee Ferris, employment; Joseph Robert Garrow, employment; Isabelle Anne Gleason, Keene State College; Aiden Kyle Goodrich, employment; Aaron Paul Hargon, employment; Destiny Joyce Hill, employment; Lochlainn Orion Clay Hinkson, Lakes Region Community College; Lydia Grace Hoisington, Southern New Hampshire University; Peyton Charles Jones, returning to Stevens High School; Emma Elizabeth Kainu, River Valley Community College; Hunter Patrick Robert LaClair, employment; Evin Alexander LaPlante; Franklin Pierce University; Madelyne Frances LaVarnway, Colby-Saywer College; Destiny Marie Lallo, employment; Jorge Luis Lema, employment; Angelina Lin, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Siena Aubrey Mann, Lasell University; Madison Amy McClay, employment; Rhianna Jo McClay, returning to Stevens High School; Madalyn Jane Minckler, Colby-Sawyer College; Peter James Mood, employment; Gage Real Morin, Air Force; Landon Matthew Norton-Avery, Keene State College; Emma Elizabeth Oakes, Colby-Sawyer College; Alana Faith O’Connell, Simmons University; Emma Rose O’Hara, employment; Robert James Owens, employment; Aidan Allen Pellerin, returning to Stevens High School; Cody Mark Pellerin, Keene State College; Alexzander Lucas Picard, Army National Guard; Braeden Joshua Parry Pignatiello, Army National Guard; Kaylib James Pillsbury, employment; Connor Robert Remick, employment; Maya Jaelen Peirce Rice, Keene State College; Kaiya Lee Richard, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Troy Auston Richardson, Keene State College; Brayden James Rostron, Army National Guard; Logan Christoper Sanborn, employment; Eva Barozzi Sarapin, New Hampshire Technical Institute; Lacey Ellen Simonds, employment; Elise Marie Smith, Norwich University; Ethan Raymond St. Amant, Keene State College; Emily Mae Stevens, University of Southern Maine; Terry Lyn Thibedau, University of New Hampshire; Devante Jermal Thompson, employment; Morgan June Tremblay, employment; Daniella Gabrielle Varela, Saint Anslem College; Adysan Rylee Vire, Keene State College; Talia Josie Vire, employment; Jonathan Ward, employment; Hannah Elizabeth Wiley, employment; Matthew William Wilmot, Colby-Sawyer College; Hayden Alexzander Wojciechowski, Army; Gabriel Scott Wyman, employment; Brandon Bruce Young, employment; and Kayleigh Lynne Young, Keene State College.