WILTON – Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative is small – only 46 graduates this year – a fact noted by all of the speakers at Friday night’s graduation ceremonies, who remarked on how that smallness makes them a community, a family.

The ceremonies were strictly traditional. Graduates entered to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" and passed under flower-bedecked arches. They paused in the middle for a rose ceremony – the presentation of flowers to loved ones in the audience. After students receiving their diplomas from the principal and a school board member, they switched their tassels.

The National Anthem was performed a capella by five graduates: Charlotte Bailey, Raven Bartlett, Destiny Fredette, Suzanne Lemire and Aimee Reindeau.

Class President Madison Bacon welcomed family and friends and told her classmates they are unique. "Everyone has something special to offer," she said.

Salutatorian Katherine MacDonald said "WLC isn’t your average high school. Everyone knows everyone, and their parents and their siblings. Go into life as the Warriors you are," she said, "beyond Wilton and Lyndeborough, beyond New Hampshire; but you always have this family to come home to."

Valedictorian Allyson Schwab noted that some of them had been together for 12 years and she recalled memorable events. "We are leaving our comfort zones. We can go where we want and be what we want, and we never have to eat school lunch again."

She added, "We have been given confidence and responsibility, a future as firefighter and nurses and teachers. Whatever we want."

Guest speaker Susan MacFarland, a former English teacher, told them to consider their purpose in life, to consider their contributions to their jobs and "to remember that contribution is important, that your contribution matters. You affect the lives of everyone around you. As an individual you are unmatched."

Three teachers were recognized for their years of service: Nancy Tong, 25 years; Linda Cordileone, 30 years; and David Finch 35 years.