A proud group of 26 Wareham Cooperative Alternative School graduating seniors marched down the aisle on Wednesday to the applause from the packed Middle School auditorium.

The graduates were enrolled in the Pathway to Academic Student Success program. The PASS Program is an option for students for whom regular daytime classes or classes at another school were not the right fit. The program maintains the academic standards of Wareham High School.

“Your determination to stay in school and receive your diploma despite work and family responsibilities had undoubtedly made you stronger, wiser, and more confident,” said Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood.

Shaver-Hood reminded students during her speech that everyone’s experience in achieving a diploma is unique and that, in life, “the pathway we take is not always smooth.”

“Regardless of how bumpy your path has been, you have remained focused on your academic success. And as a result, you have completed all the requirements to receive your diploma this evening,” said Shaver-Hood.

Graduates will be attending a variety of different colleges, including Quincy College, Coastal Career Academy, Cape Cod Community College, and Bristol Community College. Many students will pursue engineering, business, nursing, and mechanics.

Multiple graduates indicated that they preferred night school because they struggled with anxiety and felt overwhelmed by a large number of students in the day school classes. One student said she valued a small classroom, because “less drama helped me overcome some things that were going on in my life, including being bullied in a day school.”

Another graduate, Amanda Hayden, said the guidance she received during the program helped her create a plan for her future career path.

“Speaking on behalf of my class, I would like to thank the teachers and everyone here today for all their support and guidance, and I want you to know how much we appreciate the opportunity to be in this program,” said Hayden during her student address.

The graduating class of 2019 for Wareham Alternative Cooperative School:

Aaron Benitez-Gaudette

Alexis Bohanna

Cecelia Chismer

Staci Clancy

Deion DeBarros

Dylan D’Agostino

Mara Flynn

Amber Forbus

Karissa Haskell

Amanda Hayden

Sean Holmes

Aryana Homsey

Shayla Howarth

Aiden LaFountain

Karissa McGough

Samantha Medeiros

Sophia Moroney

Brendan Murray

Marc Padilla

Ethan Paim

Hailey Roth-Cerce

Roberto Sandoval

Sarah Shaw

Ryan Anthony Steeves-Kilgallon

Molly Tobia

Makenna Way