West High principal: Graduating is 'one of the first steps in your journey to greatness'

Photos by Stacy Harrison

MANCHESTER, NH – There is a spirit at West High School that transcends the struggles of the world these past few years. As the only high school on the city’s West Side, there is a strong identity of solidarity among those who have passed through the school’s hallowed halls – which now include the graduating class of 2022.

Principal Rick Dichard is connected. He knows every student by name and, on Saturday, he took the time to hug each one before they departed, and say something to them personally – no doubt, words of continued encouragement. For four years he has been their biggest cheerleader.

Dichard’s message to seniors, as published in the commencement program, summarized his wish for them all as they go out into the world to become their best selves.

“Your accomplishment in graduating from high school is one of the first steps in your journey to greatness. Some of you will be heading to college, the workforce, or the United States military. Wherever you are going always remember where you came from and the lessons you have learned during your years at West. These lessons, together with your actions, will shape the future for you and all of us,” wrote Dichard.

“Over the course of these last four years, it has been a pleasure getting to know all of you and to serve as your principal. Your impressions, influence, and enthusiasm will leave their mark on West High School for generations to come. This class will be forever remembered for persevering through an unprecedented pandemic,” said Dichard.

“However, it goes without saying that the pandemic did not define this class. I see the prospect of greatness from all the members of this class and no matter what the future holds, please know that I – and the entire West community – will always be there for you. All of you have taken different paths to get here and everyone’s experience in high school is extremely different. No matter what pathway you chose to take, today is the day that culminates in making you one of thousands of great and proud alumni of Manchester High School West,” he said.

During commencement Dichard extrapolated on that sentiment, reminding the 99th graduating class of West that they are all now “U-Knighted” among the “thousands of great alumni from Manchester High School West.”

“I have just one piece of advice for you as we send you off to become great citizens. The great Henry David Thoreau said , ‘Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant.’ In this quote, Mr. Thoreau is talking about his definition of empathy. Empathy is a word that I think defines this class,” Dichard said.

“Empathy is the experience of understanding another person’s thoughts, feelings, and condition from their point of view, rather than from your own. You try to imagine yourself in their place in order to understand what they are feeling or experiencing. In our world, there is no greater skill. Take a look around us. With all of the negative things going on in our world I can think of no other group to lead us out of the mess we have made. Teamwork, effort, attitude, critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy. These are the skills needed to move our society forward in the 21st Century and I believe this class possesses these qualities. But we will need each other’s help to do it,” Dichard said.

He then directed students to page seven of the program so they could join him in a final sing-along (something Dichard is notorious for) where the words to “Lean On Me,” by Bill Withers were printed, punctuating his charge to seniors to continue to care for others as they make their way in the world.

Salutatorian and Class Secretary Zoey Szumiesz reflected on the common ground that brought the graduates together for this final moment.

“I’ve come to expect the normalcy and comfort that came from being a part of this school. There are a lot of changes that happen in life. Changing jobs or changing classes. But there are a few things that stay the same. After today, in a short, short while, one thing will be left untouched: Our attachment to this school and most of all to each other,” said Szumiesz.

“We have all seen the same things, but also have not. Challenges had to be conquered and tests had to be taken, but we all made it here today. We were told to “go home” when we were freshmen and then literally finished our sophomore year at home. We returned to school at the end of junior year and ended up here, right now, on the last day of our senior year. Every test, long lunch line, study session, and all-nighter has allowed us all to walk this stage,”‘ she said.

Valedictorian Chloe Beaudet also reflected on the pandemic effect.

“I remember being a freshman and having all the seniors say to me, ‘enjoy your time here because before you know it, you will be the one graduating.’ Well, they could not have been any more correct. I think we can all relate to that statement and even more especially with the past two years. It felt like just yesterday that I was sitting in my band class as a sophomore in March of 2020, listening to my band teacher say that she didn’t think we would be out of school for more than two weeks. It is so hard to believe that that was two years ago,” Beaudet said.

“I would also like to thank those who have helped us throughout these 4 years. To the family members, friends, and anyone else who has helped support these amazing students, thank you for shaping us into the people that we are today. We couldn’t do it without your support,” Beaudet said.

Mayor Joyce Craig, who attended each of the four high school ceremonies spread across the course of the day, coordinated her outfit to align with that school’s colors. She donned a royal blue jacket as she greeted each graduate during Saturday’s ceremony at SNHU Arena.

Via Twitter, the mayor commented on the grit West students demonstrated to get to the finish line.

“Very few classes, if any, have rolled with the punches like these seniors. They are free thinkers who truly learned patience, perseverance, prudence, philanthropy, and pride,” Craig said.