Staples Says Goodbye To Graduating Class Of 2015, Retiring Principal

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Staples High School held its commencement ceremonies Thursday, graduating 450 seniors in the field house at the high school in Westport.

A hug for a happy graduate.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Another Staples graduate gets her diploma.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The graduates at Staples High School throw their mortarboards into the air at the end of Thursday's ceremony.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Superintendent Elliott Landon speaks to the graduates.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Staples seniors receiving their diplomas.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The graduates anxiously wait for the ceremony to begin.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The Staples high school choir performs for the commencement.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The graduates line up to get their diplomas at the Staples commencement in the field house Thursday.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

VIPs applaud for the graduates.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Staples pride
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Students Edward Coogan and Pamela Onorato tell the seniors to turn their tassels.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The students are turning their tassels as the graduation becomes official.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The graduates throw up their caps, and a few stick in the ceiling of the field house.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

Faculty Marshal Denise Honeycutt leads her colleagues and students.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

The Class of 2015 graduates head out into the world.
Photo Credit: *Nicole Kasseris*

by Nicole Kasseris

06/19/2015 5:00 a.m.

The welcoming address to seniors and their guests came from Principal John Dodig, who is retiring this year. The Class of 2015 is his last after a long career at Staples.

Everett Wade Sussman was valedictorian and gave the Valedictory Address.

Denise Honeycutt, as the designated Faculty Marshal, led the seniors to the stage and outside once they were officially graduates. It is the tradition at Staples to honor the staff member who has had the longest, continuous service with this role.

Michael Gordon, chairman of the Board of Education, distributed the diplomas along with Superintendent Elliott Landon and Principal John Dodig.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.