The sun was hiding on Saturday, June 11, at the Providence Performing Arts Center, but that did not take away from the families, friends, and guests who were anxious to see their loved ones cross the stage.

Faculty class advisors Howard Chun and William Romainis led the procession line of platform guests, including Mayor Allan Fung, members of Cranston Public Schools administration, School Committee representatives, and faculty, followed by the graduates.

Following the traditional JROTC presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by senior class vice president Lorraine Guerra. The Cranston East Choir sang the national anthem, and then it was time for speeches.

The first speaker was East Principal Sean Kelly, who told the students they were joining the “long and illustrious ‘Green Line’ of Thunderbolt alumni.

“Graduation from high school is a remarkable achievement,” he said. “It marks the end of your long journey in public education, from the time you entered kindergarten those 13 short years ago to the pinnacle at which you now stand. It will open the door for your bright future and the many exciting chapters of your life still to come. Your dedication to making yourself an educated citizen in this modern, ever-changing world, is evidenced here today. You are to be congratulated for this accomplishment and I encourage you all to continue your pursuit of education.”

Kelly acknowledged the students in the graduating class who are planning to serve in the military. He had them stand for a round of applause.

Mayor Allan Fung brought greetings and congratulations from the city of Cranston.

“Please don’t look at today as the end of your high school career. Today is more important than that,” he said. “As corny as this may sound, it really is the beginning of the rest of your life. Your path forward isn’t going to be easy, and sometimes you might not know which direction you will be headed. As you walk across this stage with your diploma and leave this auditorium today, always believe in yourself and believe that you can achieve the impossible.”

Superintendent of Schools Jeannine Nota-Masse was next to offer well wishes to the students.

“I look at graduation each year as such a dichotomy. It is a wonderful ending to years of hard work, and it is a promising beginning to joys you haven’t even begun to imagine,” she said. “As a former high school English teacher, I see your educational journey much like that of a great novel. Each of us has his or her own story, and today begins and ends a chapter in your novel.”

Janice Ruggieri, chair of the Cranston School Committee, also addressed the graduates.

“This is a big day and you should be proud of yourselves for making it here. No matter where you are headed next – work, school, travel, the armed forces, or if you aren’t sure yet where you are going – I hope that you enjoy this moment and that you take some of things that are being said today to you to heart,” she said.

Senior class president Jahaziel Zapata then addressed his peers.

“Today as we all set our sights on our ever expanding futures, it is my responsibility and privilege to remind us all of what we are leaving behind,” he said. “One of the most uncomfortable things to do in life is say goodbye. If you think about it, no one ever quite teaches you how to do it, but we learn by realizing what it is we are saying goodbye to. As I look in front of me today, one could simply say that we are all merely saying goodbye to people we have known for the last four years of our lives. But you all know, like I know, that this broad assumption is not the case. … Class of 2016, time is so precious. So live now, live always, and never forget what you’re saying goodbye to.”

Taking a short break from all the speakers, Rose de la Cruz, the class of 2016 treasurer, presented the traditional class gift to class of 2017 president Nicole DeAngelis.

Emily Ou gave the salutatorian address.

“I am certain that in the future I want to leave my mark on the world. I want to make a difference, no matter how small,” she said. “This generation has the ability to solve not only some of society’s everyday problems, but also to decrease the amount of violence and negativity in the world.”

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me thorough my high school journey,” she continued. “To all the teachers and faculty who have motivated me and encouraged my love of learning, I am deeply grateful for your support. To all my family and friends, thank you for your kind words and undying love. And, finally, thank you to all my fellow graduates who have been a part of this journey with me. I will you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.”

Ethan Gomez provided the valedictorian address.

“If you had told the freshman year Ethan Gomez that he was going to be the one to give his class’s commencement speech, he wouldn’t believe you. Even now, after months of preparation, it is still a very surreal moment,” he said. “My journey here at Cranston East does not represent what all of us graduating today have gone through, however I think it is one that showcases the opportunity we all were given. “Through this journey I realized what makes learning at Cranston East different than learning at any other high school in the state – the teachers that push you out of your comfort zone to be the best student you can be, and all that you can learn by attending the most economically and culturally diverse high school in the state.”

“After four years of being a member of this Cranston East community, I have learned many things through my peers,” he continued. “I have learned hard working skills from a classmate of mine who had to work two jobs after school to help support herself and the rest of her family. I learned through students dealing with unfortunate circumstances at home, that a friendship can be as strong as a blood relationship. I have learned through class discussions and our school’s many clubs that you should not be shy to hide a part of your identity, because most likely there are a handful of other students just like you.”

“We have all made great achievements over these past four years we have spent together, and we could not have done it without our teachers to guide the way and our parents to cheer us on. I mean it when I say that I am proud to be a part of the class of 2016,” he concluded.

Before passing out the diplomas, Kelly introduced a treasured member of the Cranston East faculty, Mark Colozzi. After 30 years of teaching music in Cranston, Colozzi is retiring to take a position at Providence College.

Colozzi – a 1976 graduate of Cranston High School West – approached the podium and was clearly emotional.

“While I may bleed red and gray, I will forever be a Thunderbolt,” he said.

Ainsley Campbell, class secretary, read a poem by Robin Masiewicz entitled “Transition.”

Assistant Principals Chris D’Ambrosio and Brian Flinn recited the roll call of the class as Kelly and other platform guests passed out the 350 diplomas.

Once the last diploma had been handed out, Kelly instructed Gomez to address the graduates. He took to the podium, and with a huge smile, proudly told the students to rise and turn their tassels.

The ceremony was closed out by the traditional last song sung by the Cranston East Choir. This year they sang “I’ll Be There” and were accompanied by Cranston East music teachers Colozzi, Greg Arsenault, and Pam Lowell.

For the last time, Colozzi took to the organ at PPAC and played the recessional “With Trumpets and Horns” while the platform guests and graduates walked out of PPAC and into their futures.