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The class of nearly 400 students took part in the event, the culmination of four years of rigorous high school studies.
With family, teachers and friends looking on under the bright blue sky, the newest graduates of Norwalk High received their diplomas with proud smiles on their faces. A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was sung by the Norwalk Men's Quartet, and the Air Force JROTC preformed the Posting of Colors.
The guest speaker, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, offered sage words of advice to the students.
"This is not the end of anything, but instead, the beginning of everything," Rilling said as he urged the new graduates to go forth and follow their passions toward their careers. He exclaimed how the Class of 2016 "has blossomed and grown into men and women who will make a difference."
After Rilling gave his heartfelt congratulations to the student body, Board of Education Vice President Heidi Keyes extended her warm wishes to the graduating class as well.
While extolling the strong work ethic of the students, she urged them to remain hungry and determined to succeed with their ambitions as they embarked into the collegiate level of education.
The smiles throughout the sea of students — and their loved ones — displayed a sense of pride and accomplishment on their academic successes.
Closing out the ceremony was a rousing speech by Valedictorian Sonam Katira, who reminisced with her classmates while also encouraging them to make the world a better place by setting goals to continually strive for.
As the ceremony concluded, the students gathered together with roaring enthusiasm as they departed as a class for one last time, but with their eyes set on their ambitions ahead.
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