News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (June 7, 2024) – Chelmsford High School held its 107^th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 1, at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, celebrating 348 members of the Class of 2024.

“This is truly a significant and exciting event,” said Principal Stephen Murray.

CHS Principal Stephen Murray

According to Mr. Murray’s assessment, the unsaid and unwritten themes for the Class of 2024 were selflessness and hope.

“This class spent their time supporting the community and helping others in need in providing hope,” he said, acknowledging their countless volunteer hours and good deeds. “Thank you for bringing patience, love and caring in a time when our world needs more of it.”

Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang told the graduating seniors to be proud of how far they’ve come since they were freshmen in the fall of 2020.

“I’m sure you will remember, that was not a typical year,” he said, reminiscing about the high school reopening to hybrid learning due to the pandemic. “Your sophomore year saw a return to more normal schooling, however, mask requirements, social distancing and COVID protocols remained for most of the year. I’m thrilled your junior year, and, in particular, your senior year, saw a return to school without restrictions. You were able to have a regular senior year and experience all that comes with that.”

Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang

Dr. Lang commended the faculty and staff for helping to provide the senior class with an outstanding foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in college, career and life.

“Enjoy your life, pursue what truly interests you. It is time for you to go and explore and find out what your life’s work will be,” he said. “I ask that when you leave Chelmsford High School, you continue to push yourself to learn, to work hard, enjoy life and give back to the community and schools that have supported you and provided you with so much throughout the years.”

School Committee president Dennis King said if he could give the Class of 2024 any advice, it would be to not be afraid to try new things and take chances.

“While it’s important to have visions and goals, it’s also important to keep an eye out for different pathways or opportunities, because it’s often those that end up being the most rewarding,” he said. “Explore different academic and career opportunities. Learn a new hobby or activity. Volunteer in an area you’re passionate about. Travel. Talk to new people. Life will present you with lots of options. Don’t be afraid to take some of them on.”

Faculty speaker Zach McIntyre, a math teacher at CHS, said when he looks at the Class of 2024, he thinks of the Miranda Lambert song “All Kinds of Kinds.”

“Ever since the beginning, to keep the world spinning, it takes all kinds of kinds,” he said. “What kind will you be? A nurse? An electrician? An artist? The time has come for you to go out and find your purpose. We each have something different inside us to contribute. Let your passions be your navigation.”

Student Speakers

Salutatorian Keya Upadhyay

Salutatorian Keya Upadhyay acknowledged that this year’s graduating class is a special one destined for greatness.

“We emerged from a pandemic more resilient than ever,” she said. “In the next few years of our lives, let us discover who we are, and put our heart and soul into anything and everything we choose to pursue. From this moment onward, we have the power to do great things for others and ourselves. So, I ask you to begin the next great phase of your life with open arms. … Let’s make a difference in today’s world and seize any opportunity that comes our way.”

Class Treasurer Constantina Fredericks said she wants everyone to leave Chelmsford High School striving to make every year of their lives the best.

Class President Rohan Madhukumar

“Don’t settle for what’s comfortable in life and let ‘the good old days’ be something we live in for the rest of our lives,” she said. “I can’t wait for you all to go after your dreams and take risks because growing up with you all, I know you’ll do amazing things in the years to come.”

Class President Rohan Madhukumar asked his fellow graduates to cherish their final day at CHS as much as they can.

“Tomorrow, we’re going to wake up clueless with no school, no teachers and no deans to tell us what to do,” he said. “And that is going to happen time and time again. And while that might be frightening, I know that everyone receiving a diploma from Chelmsford High School will succeed and learn to live their best life. … Every morning you wake up is a new chance to chase your dreams. And you’re always in control of it. So, reach for the stars, so when you fall, you’ll at least land on the clouds.”

Valedictorian Sherry Guo

Valedictorian Sherry Guo said she hopes members of the Class of 2024 find themselves full of life, love and ambition as they come to the realization they are growing up.

“You sit on the precipice of opportunity, about to embark on a journey to fill your life with love and passion greater than yourself,” she said. “It is OK to feel angst and apprehension because of these impending changes. If it doesn’t feel OK right now, I promise you, you will be OK.”

In her time at CHS, Ms. Guo said she has experienced how surrounding herself with the right people has benefitted her life.

“In the future, I hope you can find relationships where those around you see your value, because you have it,” she said. “Your physical diploma is worth nothing. It is a piece of paper that we’ve all received. They’re all the same. The true value comes in the form of skills and knowledge that you’ve gained these last few years.”

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.