2013 BHS Graduates, "You May Leave Branford, But Branford Will Never Leave You"

With the threat of impending rain, there were scattered drops as Principal Lee Panagoulias Jr. began to speak of the challenges the Class of 2013 had weathered, particularly this year with Sandy and Nemo. 

The Class of 2013 again made it out ahead of the storm as 269 Branford High School graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas before umbrellas were needed.

Earlier in the ceremony, Frank Carrano, chairman of the Branford Board of Education, addressed the Branford High School Class of 2013, remarking on the "picture from a postcard of small-town America" view he had from the podium. He reminded the students of the support they received and their upbringing in the idyllic town as they head out to new parts of the world.

While he admitted it may be scary at times, there would always be a place for them in their hometown, saying, "You may leave Branford, but Branford will never leave you."

Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez encouraged students to let this "inner compass guide" them, while Paul Freund – one of four teachers who were presented with honorary diplomas for their retirement and the commencement speaker – said, "I challenge you to wonder...expect the unexpected. Your brain is like a muscle and you need to exercise it."

Kaity Robbins, the class's president for all four years of high school, recalled the speaker at her brother's college graduation – Katie Couric and her "3 Rs:" Risk, Rejection and Resilience, speaking on each topic, while also adding her own "2 Rs:" Regret and Reflection.

Likhit Ganedi was honored as valedictorian, while Lillian Brown graduated as salutatorian. 

What was your favorite part of the commencement exercises? Do you have advice for the graduates? 

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