Good evening, Reading community, members of the Reading School Committee, Principal Callanan, Staff, Families, and most importantly, Class of 2025.
The Class of 2025 has demonstrated excellence across academics, the arts, athletics, and community. You include National Merit Scholars, Seal of Biliteracy recipients, and over 70 National Honor Society members. You’ve led state championship teams in cross country, field hockey, boys lacrosse (and I’m thinking a few more are coming this spring!), contributed to a three-time state champion marching band, and earned state semifinalist honors in drama. You launched our first unified basketball team, led award-winning work in robotics, and helped build a more inclusive school culture as Rocket Ambassadors and A World of Difference leaders.
While your accomplishments are impressive, your true impact goes far beyond awards and recognition. What defines your legacy is how you led, served, connected, and cared for others. When staff across the district reflected on what makes the Class of 2025 special, three clear themes emerged:
Leadership. Kindness. And a deep commitment to building a sense of community.
Leadership
This class has shown that leadership isn’t about titles, but about stepping up to create change and inspire others.
Ms. Iozzo from Killam remembered how, in fifth grade, Quinn Synnott wrote a persuasive letter to a State Representative that resulted in brand new flags for the school—ones that had flown over the State House and now hang proudly in the cafeteria. A powerful reminder that leadership begins with using your voice.
Mr. McSweeney from RMHS celebrated the leadership of Vivian Bateman, Hope Duffy, and Erica Malone, who guided the mock trial team through a highly successful season. Their preparation, poise, and intellect earned praise from well-respected attorneys.
Katherine Stepler demonstrated powerful leadership when she founded Bridging Generations, a student-led group that built meaningful relationships between high schoolers and senior citizens. RMHS’ Mrs. Day described it as one of the most impactful programs she’s ever seen.
Kindness
Beyond achievement, this class has shown kindness as a daily practice—small acts of empathy and care that have created lasting and meaningful impact.
Birch 1st grade teacher Mrs. Carroll recalled an unforgettable moment when intern Spenser Jaynes helped a struggling first grader regulate their emotions. By getting down on the child’s level and speaking with empathy, he de-escalated the moment and made a lasting impact—not just on that student, but on Mrs. Carroll as well.
A parent shared how Jamal Palmer connected with her son, who has a Communication Disorder, during his senior internship. Jamal’s compassion and humor—even rocking a Barney costume—made such an impression that her son hung Jamal’s note on his bedroom wall.
Mrs. Manna from JE expressed that this class brought joy and warmth to every corner of the school. When beloved custodians Whitie and Joe retired, Justin Raimo and Luca Picano honored them in a way no one would forget—dressing up as the pair and pushing a trash barrel and broom into the gym to cheers and laughter, perfectly capturing the class’s spirit of kindness and fun.
Commitment to Building Community
What sets this class apart is their dedication to building a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community.
Parker teacher Mr. Spinali reflected on the early days of the pandemic, when learning went remote. This class consistently showed up—logging into lessons, joining discussions, and connecting through virtual movie and game nights. Their steady presence and commitment to staying connected helped ground their teachers and carried staff through truly uncharted waters.
Barrows teacher Mrs. Murphy remembered when, as fourth graders, this class welcomed a new student from Japan. They made her feel at home from the very first day—offering a lasting example of empathy, community, and the power of inclusion.
Ms. Pereira, from our district team, highlighted the remarkable journey of Jason Mogene and Mariia Martynenko, who moved from Haiti and Ukraine, respectively, speaking an impressive nine languages between them. Arriving in a new country and adapting to an unfamiliar culture, they built meaningful friendships and emerged as key leaders in their class. Their story stands as a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and community.
These are just a few of the many stories that demonstrate the kind of class you’ve been—not just accomplished, but compassionate. Not just talented, but generous. Not just connected to each other, but deeply rooted in your school community.
You’ve led. You’ve cared. And you’ve made a lasting impact on our community.
As the Class of 2025 moves into the future, we hope you will continue to pursue excellence. But just as importantly, we hope you carry forward the kindness, leadership, and commitment to community that defined this class.
Class of 2025 — we congratulate you on all of your accomplishments, we thank you for the legacy each of you has left in our community, and we wish you the absolute best as you move forward into your next chapter.
As Superintendent of Schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I hereby certify the Reading Memorial High School graduating Class of 2025.
