Newton South High School held its 65^th commencement ceremony Thursday night, presided over by Senior Class President Aviv Hoitash and Vice President Salila Cintron.

The evening’s speeches had a theme: success shows itself in a person’s character as much as their accomplishments.

This class of graduates has gone through a lot. They started high school fresh out of COVID-19 lockdown, and their junior year consisted of a two-week teacher strike and the cancellation of February break.

“Everyone should feel so proud of themselves for getting to this moment,” Cintron said.

The pair played well off each other throughout the ceremony—a short joke here, a snarky side-eye there—providing the crowded gymnasium with humor to go with the pride and joy.

“Today, we mark the first day of… what’s the word?” Cintron asked.

“Freedom?” Hoitash replied. “Sleeping in? Not checking Schoology?”

Senior Class President Aviv Hoitash, right, and Vice President Salila Cintron preside over Newton South High School’s graduation ceremony on June 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Superintendent Anna Nolin focused on not just the journey completed but on the people those graduates grew to become along the way.

“As you stand on the edge of this transition, I’m reminded of a quote by Carl Jung: ‘The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are’,” Nolin said. “And these years at South have helped you begin that journey, through questioning, discovering, advocating and growing.”

Nolin noted that the district’s new “portrait of a learner” initiative was modeled after these students, showing the different kinds of success a student can reach.

“You’re adaptable, you’re empathetic and ever-curious,” Nolin said. “These are the competencies that matter most in this world, a world that is constantly changing and a world where you will shift careers, invent jobs and lead efforts that we can’t yet imagine.”

As she did at Newton North the night before, Nolin urged the graduates to stay connected with the Newton South community as they make their way through life.

“This school, the district, this is your garden,” Nolin said. “Your roots are here, and whenever you need grounding, support or renewal, we are here for you.”

With Principal Tamara Stras on maternity leave, acting Principal Marc Banks—who, according to Cintron, “has truly mastered the hallway strut”—spoke next, reflecting on his own dreams of teaching and the need to set aside fear and embrace new challenges.

Banks serves as a dean at the school, a position he’s held since 2012. But when asked to be acting principal this year, he initially declined.

“Honestly, I said no because I was scared,” Banks continued. “I still am scared. I worry about making mistakes. I have that inner saboteur in my mind questioning if I can actually do this, if I’m the right person to take on the principalship.”

But then he remembered how teachers, administrators, parents and others are always telling students to try new things, seek new challenges and take risks.

“So after some reflection, I said yes. And I’ve learned in the last three weeks on the job that principaling is incredibly hard,” he laughed. “And I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve learned from them, and that’s what life’s about.”

Dean and Acting Principal Marc Banks speaks at Newton South High School’s graduation ceremony on June 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

The class officers presented this year’s gifts to the school: custom banners featuring the school’s mascot and colors, which will hang in the school’s main entrance and in the field house, and a banner depicting a mosaic of the lion mascot, made up of photos of each graduate.

“Together, they capture the mosaic of who we are—not one voice but many different stories coming together,” Hoitash said.

Risha Sinha delivered the student address and, as someone who’s been in Newton schools since kindergarten, noted how the community has shaped her.

“My community, the culture, the city and the country I live in has made me who I am today, and I’m so incredibly lucky,” she said.

Sinha talked about the need to be kind, supportive and present for others so they can feel lucky, too.

“Yes, we are talented, but we are also deeply privileged,” Sinha said. “And that combination doesn’t entitle us to comfort. It obligates us to service.”

Sinha called on her classmates to make that service a defining feature of their generation.

“Let’s be the generation that doesn’t just climb the ladder but builds more rungs,” she said. “Now, more than ever, the world doesn’t just need smart people. It needs kind ones. Brave ones. People who show up. That’s us. So let’s get to work.”

Risha Sinha delivers the student address at Newton South High School’s graduation ceremony on June 12, 2925. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

The ceremony recognized staff members Matt Briggs, Christopher Hardiman and Jasmine Lellock with the Ann Eliot-Holmes Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Several retiring teachers were also honored: Marcia Bergman, Matt Briggs, Addrene Coney, Jennifer Dimmick, Patricia Gonzalez, Christopher Hardiman, Emma Leslie, Marianne McChesney, Javier Mendez, Barbara Murphy, Ellie Ross and Katherine Steiger.

Members of the Newton South High School Class of 2025 wait to receive their diplomas on June 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle