Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Staples High School's Paul Lane field may not have been the happiest place in America on Tuesday but it had to be about the happiest place in Connecticut. There were hundreds and hundreds of beaming, smiling faces and more than a few happy tears. The bleachers on both sides of the field were standing room only, filled with proud parents experiencing the joy of the day.

The 136 Commencement exercises at Staples was held on a beautiful, sunny day with a perfect temperature as more than 400 graduates passed through a blue and white balloon arch as they proceeded onto the field to take their seats on one of the biggest days of their young lives. The graduating class of 2023 had reached a major milestone in life, receiving their high school diplomas after four years of hard work.overcoming obstacles and dealing with challenges like Covid.

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After the processional to "Pomp and Circumstance", Luke Rosenberg led the famous Orphenians for the last time at graduation, followed by the welcome address by school principal Stafford Thomas Jr., his first at Staples, and next the Staples Choralaires and Senior Choral Members performed "The Road Home".

Principal Thomas spoke about the achievements of the Class of 2023 and how proud he was of what they had accomplished. He made special mention of four grads who had ben accepted to and will attend U.S. Military academies including Zach Rosemy and Grant Zeigler who will become cadets at West Point (see WestportLocalPress, Next Stop: West Point)

Next came the address by Valedictorian Lucia Julianne Kang-Yu Wang who is not only an academic high achiever but was also a leader in Staples Girls Varsity Tennis' exceptional season. Lucia spoke of her hopes for a more equitable and inclusive society going forward as well as a desire for us to address the challenge that climate change presents to her generation. Lucia was followed by Salutatorian Rebecca Hope Schussheim who touched on her passion in the science of astrophysics and urging here classmates to embrace change and new challenges.

A moment of silence was observed to honor Staples technology education teacher Michael Sansur was was tragically lost in an automobile accident in 2022.

A group of Staples educators watched the ceremony. Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open

Superintendent of the Westport School System Thomas Scarice then certified the class of 2023 at which point the issuing of the more than 400 diplomas began.

As the ceremony was concluding Marley Brown and Grant Zeigler gave the students the instruction for "Turning of the Tassel" from the right side of the mortarboard to the left side symbolizing the crossing over from high school to their next stage in life. Many of those mortarboards were painstakingly decorated, some with the names of the colleges and universities those grads will be attending in the fall.

Next, Principal Thomas then gave his closing remarks.