Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Photographers capture Nashua High North graduate Chloe Craig being congratulated by principal Nathan Burns during last evening's commencement at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

NASHUA – As “just an 18-year-old kid,” at once “excited, conflicted, and frankly terrified about the uncertainty of the future,” Nashua High School North salutatorian Stephen Norris wondered aloud, “who am I to provide any wisdom?” to his fellow members of the Class of 2021.

But a couple of minutes later Norris, the grandson and namesake of the late longtime music teacher and band director, declared he was about to “go back on my word” so he could leave his fellow grads “with this one idea to remember: Take advantage of the time you have … take risks, love your friends and family, and take advantage of every second we have here together.”

Norris, bound for Harvard University later this summer, was among the speakers who imparted congratulations, best wishes and praise for a job well done upon the roughly 400 Titans who arrived at Stellos Stadium Wednesday evening as seniors and walked out 90 minutes later as graduates ready to take on the world.

The ceremony, which had been postponed from Monday due to weather conditions, also featured talks by valedictorian Carson Goh, who will enter Dartmouth College later this year, senior class president Kate Conley, and Kristen Ellspermann, a senior class adviser who the graduates chose to be their faculty speaker.

Meanwhile, Nashua High School South, NHS North’s counterparts across the famous span where the “Battle of the Bridge” takes place each football season, will graduate its seniors this evening at 7 at Stellos. Like North’s, South’s ceremony was pushed back due to weather.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Nashua High North salutatorian Stephen Norris, who is headed for Harvard University later this year, addresses his fellow grads and the guets who attended last evening's commencement at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

“What else can I say but ‘wow!'” North principal Nathan Burns said with a big grin as he stepped to the microphone for his welcome message.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you all!”

An expanded version of this story will appear in The Sunday Telegraph and at www.nashuatelegraph.com over the weekend.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Nashua High North valedictorian Carson Goh, whose mortarboard design connects Nashua and Dartmouth College, addresses his fellow grads and the guests at last evening's commencement at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP The mortarboard message created by this Nashua High North graduate sums up the feelings of many of her fellow graduates who made it through a most unusual, and challenging, senior year. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Nashua High North graduate Kobey Marshall flashes a thumbs-up after crossing the stage during the presentation of diplomas portion of last evening's graduation at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

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