Class of '12 bids farewell to Shepaug

Principal Kim Gallo, left, and Assistant Principal Janet Strausberg show the way for the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Immediately behind Ms. Gallo and Ms. Strausberg are Region 12 Board of Education chairman James Hirschfield and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bruce Storm. Photo: Norm Cummings

Junior marshals Ian Bowman and Emily Deanne bear the colors during Shepaug Valley High School's Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Leading the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington are class president and salutatorian Gina DeMeo and valedictorian Jenni Isaac.. Photo: Norm Cummings

Marching proudly in the processional are, from left to right, Qunicy Farrow, Daniel Foote, Melinda Fragomeli and fellow members of the Class of 2012 during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Displaying feelings ranging from happy to reflective to contemplative, Lindsay Isaac, left, Eddie Kelly and Colleen Koslosky march in the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Colleen Koslosky offers a serene smile as she martches in the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Jeff Lewis, left, and Kyle Lundie march in the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Kyle Lundie, left, Shaun Lynch and classmates march in the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

A era spanning 24 year of Morse children attending Shepaug Valley High School comes to a close as Tom Morse marches in th eprocessional for the Shepaug Valley High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Kathryn Paul, left, Marissa Pitts and classmates march in the procesional for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Isabel Steiner, Andrew Stern and classmates march in processional for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Howard White, left, and Chris Windebank proudly march in the processional for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

The school archestra performs the processional Pomp and Circumstance for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class president Gina DeMeo leads the Pledge of Allegiance for Principal Kim Gallo and hundreds more in attendance at the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Retiring this month from his Region 12 faculty position, longtime choral director Chris Shay leads his student singers in their performance of The Star Spangled Banner at the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Principal Kim Gallo offers an optimistic perspective on an emotional milestone in the lives of the Class of 2012 during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Shades are very much in vogue for the grads as, from left to right, Cody Brennan, Shannon Bartkus, Elyse Andrews and Catherine Alexander don their glasses at the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. That's Tanner Fagan in the second row. Photo: Norm Cummings

Colleen Koslosky is presented the award for academic commitment from faculty member Samantha Steinis during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Facuklt member Al Ciarlo congratulates the Class of 2012 on the diversity and value of their senior projects as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bruce Storm and Principal Kim Gallo listen in during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bruce Storm addresses the throng on hand for the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Matthew Carlson receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Melinda Fragomeli receives a handshake and her diploma from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Jenni Isaac offers her valedictory during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Sixty-five new graduates of the Class of 2012 enthusiastically engage in the school's traditional hat toss at the conclusion of the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Marissa Pitts and Cody Brennan share a celebratory hug moments after the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Sharing one of countless photo poses right after the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington are, from left to right, Kathryn Paul, Ava Coploff, Nikki Parzuchowski and Isabel Steiner. Photo: Norm Cummings

The Class of 2012 enjoys a gorgeous panorama of the school campus during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Isabel Steiner receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Nikki Parzuchowski receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Shawn Parker receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Colleen Koslosky receives her diploma, and a hug, from her mother, class advisor Cindy Koslosky, during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Colleen Koslosky happily receives her diploma Saturday from her mother, class advisor Cindy Koslosky, during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Eddie Kelly shares a hug with class advisor Jim Stinson Saturday during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Lindsay Isaac receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Adam Hiravy receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Elizabeth Eichen receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Zach Drzal receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Michelle DeGrazia receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member John DeFeo receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Aydan Crumrine receives his diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Ava Coploff receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Kiera Lee Cloutier receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 member Catherine Alexander receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 valedictorian Jenni Isaac receives her diploma Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 president and salutatorian Gina DeMeo receives a hug from class advisor Cindy Koslosky Saturday from Region 12 Board of Education Chairman James Hirschfield during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Adam Hiravy is clearly upbeat as he experiences the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Proud mother Mia Farrow of Bridgewater catures the moment as her daugher, Quincy, experiences the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

The sun-washed crowd looks on during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class of 2012 president Gina DeMeo struggles to keep her hat on as she and clearly amused valedictorian Jenni Isaac lead the recessional to close the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Class president Gina DeMeo, valedictorian Jenni Isaac and classmate Ted Adams III lead fellow grads on the recessional following the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Sharing a photo op are, from left to right, Mathi Smith, Colleen Koslosky and Elyse Andrews, following the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

Creating a photo memory are, from left to right, Class of 212 graduates Gina DeMeo, Elyse Andrews, Jenni Isaac, Quincy Farrow, Colleen Koslosky, Lindsay Isaac and Mathi Smith, following the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington. Photo: Norm Cummings

The Shepaug 'S' is very much a part of the scene during the Shepaug Valley High School graduation ceremony, June 16, 2012, in Washington.

All in the family Tommy Morse of New Preston became the eighth silbing in his family to graduation from Shepaug Valley High School when he received his diploma during Saturday's commencement exercises at the school in Washington. Moments after the ceremony had ended, Uncle Tommy found himself posing with six of his adoring nieces and enphews. Showing remarkable patience in front of the camera are, from left to right, Matthew Willmot of Bethel, son of Melissa (Morse) Willmott; twins Lily and Lorelai Reeb, daughters of Melanie (Morse) Reeb of Brookfield; Jackson Morse, son of Meghan Morse of New Preston; and Ava and Olivia Maltz, daughters of Mindy (Morse) Maltz of Newtown. Tommy's other nephew, Gregory, was in attendance but couldn't be corraled for the photo. June 16, 2012 Courtesy of Melanie Reeb Photo: Contributed Photo

Tom & Co. The Morse family of New Preston has played a large role at Shepaug Valley High School since Melissa became a freshman in the fall of 1988. Nearly 24 years later, Tom, the youngest of eight siblings, graduated Saturday. Posing on the campus they all know well are, from left to right, Melissa Willmot í92, Travis Morse í09, Meredith Morse í00, Tom Morse í12, Melanie Reeb í95, Mindy Maltz í97 and Meghan Morse '07. Brother Tim '03 wasn't able to be there. Courtesy of the Morse family Photo: Contributed Photo