By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Mickey Mouse ears are one way to make a student stand out in the crowd at John Stark Regional High School's commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 11. (Nicholas Brown Photo)

Speakers at the John Stark Regional High School commencement ceremonies warned of challenges with which graduating seniors are likely to be confronted as they move on.

"We will each be faced with many uncertainties," said Alyson Wright, the school's valedictorian. "Let's make a vow not to give in to fear."

Wright was one of about 200 seniors - all of them visibly fearless - who donned the cap and gown and collected a diploma at a blisteringly hot Lee Clement Arena on the New England College campus on Saturday, June 11.

Erik Anderson and Jacqueline Albers get ready to receive their diplomas. (Nicholas Brown Photo)

The school's principal, Arthur Aaronson, commended the 2005 class, which includes 20 members of the National Honor Society, 35 college scholarship recipients and one future West Point cadet.

Keynote speaker William Johnson, a former chair of the district's school board for six years, suggested to graduates that the way to fulfillment in life is through service to others.

Gary McGrath, school board chairman, spoke proudly of the success of the class. He said taxpayers pay about $10,000 annually to support each student, making a career at John Stark cost about $40,000.

"We couldn't have made a better investment," McGrath said.

As might be expected, the future of John Stark graduates was a hot topic of the day. But for some sporting the tassel, like Weare's Brenda Cogswell, graduation was also a mark of four years of success - success earned in the face of tremendous adversity.

Cogswell said she came to the school before her sophomore year, after her mother joined a religious commune in Colorado. She moved in with her father, but soon had to flee what became an abusive relationship, she said.

Jeremy Dingman keeps the beat. Dingman plans to attend New Hampshire Technical Institute and join the US National Guard. (Nicholas Brown Photo)

In limbo, Cogswell then moved in with her stepmother, longtime Weare resident Judi LaCroix.

Since then, Cogswell has worked her way to a 3.9 gradepoint average and the distinction of graduating fourth in the Class of 2005, and received four scholarships to New England College next year.

"They gave me the awards and I said, 'Oh my gosh, people like me,'" said Cogswell of winning the scholarships.

Cogswell plans to attend New England College in the fall and pursue a career in graphic design.

Like many John Stark graduates, she is faced with a new beginning. But those graduates will take with them the memories they had as high school students.

"You don't realize it when you start high school, but now that it's over, it's actually the best years of your life," said Cogswell.