By Bob Lessard, Historian
American Legion Post 64,
Middleboro
Jeffrey Montelo of Main Street Plympton was awarded a first-place gold medal in Denver, Colorado at the National Veteran’s Creative Arts Festival.
His winning artwork of a bearded veteran, which was titled “Through the eyes of a Veteran” captured the top prize.
Montelo, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, had earned a spot in Denver, when his artwork placed first in the creative art contest held at the Brockton VA Medical Center.
Commenting on his winning creation, Montelo stated, “He’s probably homeless and looking into his future and it looks a little brighter.”
Montelo is an active member of Middleboro’s Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion. He was Commander in 2014 and currently holds office as Senior Vice Commander of District 10, where he is the Commander-elect. He also is a member of Middleboro’s Veterans Honor Guard, which provides a contingent of flag holders and a firing squad for funerals of Middleboro veterans. In Plympton, he is an active member of the Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team…CERT.

Friday evening, May 31, Silver Lake Regional High School graduated 230 seniors. Among those was a special presentation, a surprise, when US Marine Corporal Patrick Andrew Ganley appeared to present diplomas to his sisters Caitlin Marjorie Ganley and Eileen Shannon Ganley. Cpl. Ganley has been stationed in Okinawa, Japan since 2021 and his sisters had no idea their oldest brother was going to be able to make it home to help celebrate their accomplishment.
The touching reunion brought many to tears, including Principal Michaela Gill.
Erin Christina Flaherty, CTE Student of the Year, led the audience in the Salute to the flag. The Silver Lake Select Choir, conducted by Choral Director Kelley DePasqua, sang the National Anthem, followed by “Measure Me, Sky” by Elaine Hagenberg, Conducted by Department chairperson and Choral Director Kelley DePasqua, accompanied by Ms. Shu-Hui Chen, pianist.
The Select Choir Seniors performed “Only We Know” by Keane/Lojeski. Soloists were Ella Cox, Paige Bachyrycz, Alison O’Connor, Alana Borges, Sami Areski, Pyper Goguen, Julia Cartright, Emma Christensen, Madison Brown, Rebecca White. Modern Band performed, with Dylan Cicone on Guitar, Benjamin Webby on Bass, and Benjamin Gulinello on Drums.
Nikhil Harish, class vice-president introduced Grace Patricia Faherty, President of the Class of 2024 who gave opening remarks in a welcome address. Harish spoke of Faherty’s volunteering with Best Buddies, and her work at Silver Lake to make it an inclusive atmosphere, praising her abilities to bring people together. She was also the service project coordinator for the National Honor Society. Coordinating food drives and charity events, “giving back”.
Faherty thanked her family and friends, saying, “no matter where I end up in the future, we will always have each other.” She spoke about being at the edge of the known and the unknown, ready to step into a world that is as unpredictable as it is exciting.”
Invited faculty speaker, Anthony Weber was introduced by Ella Ruth Crotty, Class Treasurer, who praised Weber’s dedication to his students and promoting a sense of inclusion, thanked him for “believing in us even as we struggled to believe in ourselves.”
Weber took the podium and spoke of navigating the highs and lows of the post-COVID school year, the teamwork, in scholastics and athletics. He ended his remarks with a favorite quote from Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.” Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,” he said.
Class president Grace Faherty introduced Honor Essayist Kristen Marilyn Arieta, her longtime friend and Class Salutatorian. Arieta told of the many things her class has to be proud of. She said one of the best analogies was to think of ourselves as an iceberg. The very tip of the iceberg is all that’s visible. “… what’s shown to the rest of the world is just a small fraction of who we are. .. Now we have an opportunity to show even more of who we are.”
Alexander James Risio, Valedictorian, was introduced by Ella Elizabeth Cox, Class Secretary, telling of his accomplishments including captain of the Silver Lake Track and Field, and serving on the student council’s executive board. One of the most humble and genuine people I know… and he will be attending Harvard University in the fall, majoring in computer science and biomedical engineering. Risio spoke of the cycles of life in nature, adapting, changing, As author John Shedd said, “ A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for.” Our next step is difficult but just like in nature, we can find our footing among the shifting tides. He recalled his first day as a freshman trying out for track and field, failing miserably. His parents said he could quit but urged him to give it one more day. It was a simple act of kindness from a senior who took time to explain how the system worked, set him on a path to success in long-distance running. “Simple acts of kindness can completely change one’s life.”
Mrs. Michaela Gill, Principal, was introduced by Class Historian Matthew Daniel Meal, who described her as someone who embodies excellence and leadership, perseverance and unwavering commitment to our education. Her ability to lead our school reflects the success we have seen in our clubs, organizations, record-setting sports teams and vocational-technical programs. Her personability is what makes her a great leader…. She fosters a sense of belonging and inspires us to strive for excellence.
Principal Michalea Gill recalled that the Class of ’24 had a unique entry into high school learning, with hybrid learning, desks 6 feet apart, challenging for all, learning names with faces hidden behind a mask for a year and a half. These challenges ultimately helped foster their resilience with each setback. “I’ve witnessed them bounce back stronger and more capable than ever before.”
Class Vice-president Mikhil Harish introduced Silver Lake Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx. “Since Feb. 2020, Dr. Proulx has provided in-service training to support inclusive practices including social, emotional learning, and effective technology integration as well.”
Superintendent Jill Proulx accepted the Class, saying that the hard work and dedication they have put into their education is shown by this accomplishment. “They have all spent days and nights, working both in and out of the classroom to reach this point. They should be proud of themselves for being here today and for putting in all that effort. … I know that every one of you is more than adequately prepared to face what comes next. … Class of 2024, you are the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and creators for this country, the best country in the world.”
Diplomas were presented to 230 students by Principal Michaela Gill, assisted by Paula Hatch, Chair of Silver Lake Regional District School Committee, Assistant Principals Catherine Pratt and Steven Blette.