Bristol County Agricultural High School: Aggie Weekly-May 31st Graduation Edition

Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:

This week we held our 2019 Graduation Commencement ceremony at Dighton Town Hall. This is the second straight year we have been outside for our ceremony. We were very fortunate to sneak it in before it started to rain. See all the great photos below!

2019 Graduation Commencement- Click here for the LiveStream

Click here for the full article in the SouthCoast Today

DIGHTON — Basking in praise from administrators and their peers, members of Bristol County Agricultural High School’s Class of 2019 proudly graduated Thursday night.

The school held its second-ever outdoor ceremony in the field behind Dighton Town Hall. The 109 graduates made their grand entrance following a procession of students carrying American flags to a roar of cheers, applause — and some air horns.

In their addresses to classmates, the class president and valedictorian discussed the value of the education provided to them at Bristol Aggie and how their experiences at the school helped them progress as individuals, both personally and professionally.

“I myself had come to Bristol Aggie as a very different person: scared and extremely nervous. ... I would sit in the back of my middle school classroom and never speak,” said Class President Madison Kruger of Dartmouth.

“When I first walked through the welcoming doors of Gilbert Hall, I immediately took comfort in knowing that I had found a safe space to learn and experience new adventures with amazing staff and students. I went from the girl in the back of the class to the woman speaking at graduation, in only four short years.”

Valedictorian and equine science student Kaitlyn Walorz of Lakeville began her speech on an ominous note regarding the inevitability of death, a statement that drew nervous, yet appreciative laughter from her classmates and parents in the audience.

In light of her speech’s theme — derived from the Second Law of Thermodynamics — Walorz urged her fellow classmates to accept the fact that their lives will end, but not to be consumed by negativity thinking about it.

Rather, she insisted that they “take that information” and let it empower them to do what they can to impact their own “worlds” around them, no matter how big or small.

“We can either let this information make us feel pointless and unsettle us, or live our lives the way we want to live them and alleviate the suffering of others,” said Walorz.

“Many of us want to make an impact, but we become bogged down by the thought of our own insignificance. How can one person change the whole world? Here’s the thing: you don’t have to. Instead of making a small impact on an enormous world, try making an enormous impact in a smaller world.”

Of the 109 graduates, two students — Michael Koussa and Melanie Rea — enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and were recognized by Assistant Superintendent and Principal Kevin Braga.

Braga also recognized two school staff members who would be retiring at the end of the year — 29-year school nurse Karyn Wilson and 19-year guidance counselor Cindy McKay.

Students Lacey Parker and Bridget Peacock both received annual $250 Board of Trustees scholarships and Kruger received the board’s scholarship in the amount of $500.

Emma Duarte was awarded the Spirit of Bristol pennant, which is presented to students in memory of Florence Gilbert, wife of George Gilbert, Bristol Aggie’s first director.

“In a few moments, you will soon be joining an elite organization: the Bristol County Agricultural High School Alumni Association,” said Aggie Superintendent and Director Adele Sands, asking those in the audience who graduated from the school to stand.

“We’re thrilled to have you represent this school no matter what you choose to do for your future — as long as it’s legal,” she joked.

In his send-off to students, Braga told them how much he had been inspired by their initiative, whether it be in academics or in fostering a strong sense of school spirit.

For example, Braga said, he admired the work ethic of several students who for years reported to the school at 5 a.m. to milk animals and was continuously “humbled and impressed” by the students who pushed him and staff “to be better each day.”

“With the title of principal comes the expectation of leadership. The reality is, I have learned so much from these students who sit before us...(This class’s) culture and atmosphere is cultivated by parents supporting students and staff, and in turn our staff challenging our students to reach their maximum potential,” said Braga.

“Graduates, as you walk across this stage, remember the core values learned at Bristol Aggie and even though you leave our current ranks, you will remain members of the B.A. family for life.”

Bristol County Agricultural High School held its graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. SouthCoast students graduating included:

Acushnet: Hailey Brightman, Kiara Nunes and Gillian Souto.
Dartmouth: Lily Berube, Brianna Gosselin, Madison Kruger, Cameron Oliveira and Courtney Whittle.
Fairhaven: Foster Cripps, Jack Wethington and Elizabeth Whitaker.
Freetown: Matteo Cabral.
Lakeville: Serena Cornell, Zoe Goulart, Karlene McMahon and Kaitlyn Walorz.
Middleboro: Robert Cowing and Brooke Murphy.
New Bedford: Lillian Adamiec, Jake Bentley, Carissa Laporte, Madison Marcondes, Alayna Polk, Emma Ripley and Jalena Sylvia.
Westport: Kennedy Alves, Chelsea Botelho, Elizabeth Brouillette, Alexander Cameron, Sierra Fleury, Andrew Flory, Austin Russell, Meghan Sherman and Marguerite Zielinski.

Bristol Aggie Welcomes the Commissioner Riley from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Bristol Aggie was honored to host Commissioner Riley of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Representative Patricia Haddad today. This was Commissioner Riley's first visit to Bristol Aggie and will certainly not be its last. "This place is incredible" was the phrase of the day. The day started with a visit to the 80 plus year old Gilbert Hall/Academic Building, which will be renovated when the campus undergoes its $103 million renovation and construction project. Commissioner Riley saw the needed upgrades in the science classrooms with a visit to Mr. Johnson’s junior science class, upgrades that will be completed with the MSBA project. Around campus, students and staff immersed the Commissioner into their learning which included a look into the wildlife research that the NRM students are conducting (turtle, snake and axolotl, oh my), some drone flying, the school's new CNC machine and educational tractor in Agricultural Mechanics, and the hydroponic research and floral designing being done in Floriculture. The Commissioner visited the Landscape Design and Contracting Students while doing some hardscape and even took a walk through our field nursery, home to the daylilies that are part of the Sylvan Nursery partnership (keep your eye out for our Bristol Aggie grown varieties). Animal Science students introduced him to the newest residents on campus while the visitor from the Doggie Daycare were papered. The Arboriculture students even got him into the bucket truck for a ride! It was an amazing day and we are excited to be able to show him what authentic learning is; real world projects being tackled in the agricultural education classroom. We look forward to your return Commissioner Riley!

Raising the BARR:

In The Classroom
Landscape: Last Friday, just in time for Memorial Day, six members of the Sophomore class planted annuals at the Korean and World War II Memorials on the grounds of the Taunton Superior Courthouse.