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Proud parents, relatives and friends watched members of the Canton High School Class of 2007 receive their diplomas last Thursday as the twilight set in on the lawn in front of the Rodman Center.

Nearly 230 students clad in green and white caps and gowns walked across the stage. 

“Today came faster than we ever expected it would,” said Class President Meghan Cawley. “As seniors, we are finally on top. We are the only 240 students who can say they are the Canton High School Class of 2007.”

 With a mix of athletic success, including a state championship this year in field hockey, and academic success, including national merit scholars, the members of the Class of 2007 will likely have many fond memories of their time at Canton High School.

About 93 percent of students will attend two or four-year colleges and universities in the fall, while about 6 percent will enter the workforce, said Supt. of Schools Irene Sherry Kaplan. Still, another 1 percent will join the military, a point that was met with applause from graduates and the audience.

Kaplan wished the graduates safety, health, happiness and success and said the school department wants to be the graduates’ extended family.

 “Passion is the energy that’s required to get people to follow you,” said Selectmen Chairman Robert Burr. “I believe in the Class of 2007. America is a great society and it can be even greater—not because of the adults, but because of you. We need you to do well.”

“The Canton High School graduation is an event that none of us on the school committee want to miss,” added School Committee Chairman John Bonnanzio.

Both Bonnanzio and Burr had kind words for Kaplan, who is retiring this summer. Bonnanzio said Kaplan has been central in the rising academic achievements of Canton’s students as well as the physical achievements, such as the completion of the renovated high school. Both Kaplan and high school Principal Ed Mulvey, who is also retiring, were educators before they became administrators, Burr said.

Kaplan, who spent six years at the helm of the Canton School Department, said being at graduation was “bittersweet.” In addition to Mulvey and herself, Kaplan read the names of all the school department employees who are retiring this year.

Back to the graduates, Bonnanzio said it was a privilege to share the graduation ceremony with the Class of 2007.

 “You are energetic, vivacious and a memorable group,” Mulvey added. “You have a mind of your own and you have kept me on my toes.”

Despite many a frustrating day with construction issues at the high school during the renovation process, Mulvey said the students dealt with the frustrations in stride.

“You’re not complainers and you kept your sense of humor,” said Mulvey, who took over as principal four years ago as the Class of 2007 first entered the high school as freshmen.

Mulvey thanked the graduates for making him “the proudest principal in the Commonwealth.”

Moving forward, students said they were ready to take the next step but will do so with their thoughts of high school in mind.

 “Truthfully the future scares me,” said salutatorian Virginia Leone. “It would be much easier to stay at Canton High School. There’s so much I’ll never forget. But we all have to face the fact, that we have to grow up sometime.”

Valedictorian Amanda Hines said the graduates would leave their trail all around the world.

 “Amazing,” said Kenny Jewkes. “There’s nothing else like it.”

Jewkes said he is looking forward to whatever the next step is for him. He said he will attend Mass Bay Community College in the fall.

Kara Leary said she was a little “overwhelmed” and “excited,” and that she will miss her classmates. Leary will also attend Mass Bay this fall, she said.