Laconia High School graduates look both back, and forward, at 148th commencement

LACONIA — Student speakers at Laconia High School's 148th graduation ceremony Friday night encouraged their classmates to cherish the memories.

"When you think back on this speech, don't remember me or what I said, just remember that your time is the only currency you can never get back," valedictorian Ava Noyes said. "Never be so busy planning your life that you forget to live it."

Noyes was captain of the women's varsity soccer team, as well as a member of the school's math team, and National Honor Society. Noyes also climbed New Hampshire's 48 4,000-foot peaks before graduating. Noyes will study nursing at the University of Miami, in Florida.

A total of 129 students walked the stage to receive their diplomas at the Bank of New Hampshire Stadium behind Laconia High on June 5. 

The ceremony began with the graduates walking onto the field to take their seats, as the Laconia High School Band played the graduation march.

Class President Zander LeClerc opened the ceremony with a speech to his classmates, commemorating their last day together. 

"These last four years in Laconia High School have shaped us into the people we are today," LeClerc said. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your class president."

As well as the role of class president, LeClerc ranked third in the class of 2026. LeClerc was a four-year, three-sport varsity athlete, on the lacrosse, cross country, and track teams. In the fall, he will begin school at Wentworth Institute of Technology, in Boston, to study mechanical engineering. 

Principal Michael Boyle honored the top three ranked students in the class. Along with LeClerc, salutatorian Carter Jones and Noyes were recognized.

The commencement address was given by 2007 Laconia High alum Mirno R. Pasquali.

"As a fellow Laconia graduate, I say, 'Welcome to the next step of your life,'" Pasquali said.

Boyle gave one final speech before the students received their diplomas. He left the graduates with the message, "true success is defined by the person you become.

"Graduation usually marks the end of something, but graduation is also a beginning," Boyle said. "Once a Sachem, always a Sachem."

The ceremony concluded with each student receiving their diploma from teacher Andrew Paronto, and a farewell message by Class Secretary Savannah Stone.