TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. – After a graduation liturgy celebrated in Our Lady’s Chapel at the Academy of Notre Dame on June 5, 58 eighth-graders prepared to receive their diplomas and bid farewell to friends, teachers and a school that many of them had known since kindergarten.

“The academy has shaped us into intelligent, independent, courageous, well-mannered and loving people,” said class speaker Meghna Iyer, of North Andover. “We may not realize it, but without these most important lessons, we wouldn’t be the individuals we make ourselves out to be.”

She wished her friends well as they continued their journeys into the future.

“The walls whisper of the daily traditions its students have enjoyed for years,” she said. “All the traditions have one thing in common: the commitment to bringing out the best in yourself, your potential, even if you’re not sure what that is.

“Traditions will be missed, but they can always be broken. A time and place will always be found in order to make new ones. What can never be replaced are the values this school has taught us.”

Recognizing that this moment would only have been possible through the support of their parents, Anmol Goraya, of Nashua, read a parent dedication.

“We have all been given great blessings, but the greatest of these is our parents’ gift of love,” Goraya said. “The Class of 2014 would like to congratulate not only each other, but our parents. After all, this is your night, too.

“Thank you for your love, devotion and faith in us. You have given us our roots and wings, and without you, we could not be the accomplished group of graduates who stand here tonight.”

Diplomas were presented by elementary school Principal Dr. Robert Murphy, Assistant Principal Elizabeth O’Connell and former Principal Sister Mary Duke, SND.

As the evening drew to a close, the graduates moved to the front of the chapel to sing a medley of songs that represented their days at the academy, chosen by elementary music teacher Katie Bickford.

Some formerly brave faces blinked back tears, while others opened the floodgates with crying and hugs before saying their final farewells and heading out the doors together this one last time.

For more information about the academy, visit www.ndatyngsboro.org.