The class of 2016 tossed their caps into the air, with the bittersweet knowledge that their high school careers had come to a close at the 53rd annual graduation ceremony on June 5.

The favored piece “Pomp and Circumstance,” that is often associated with the graduation march, played as seniors filed into the gymnasium.

Superintendent Christine Johnson opened the ceremony by welcoming students, faculty, family and friends with an encouraging speech that emphasized the triumphs of all the students throughout their four years at Algonquin.

“Truly, this celebration will remain historical in your life, because no one else can erase your noteworthy achievement of fulfilling, and so often exceeding, the goals and requirements set before you four years ago,” Johnson said. “And in just a little while, you will turn your tassels and toss your caps in jubilation, as we in turn, symbolically tip ours to you.”

Senior class president Natalie Finn then delivered a speech that she hoped would encourage students to recognize the endless opportunities ahead of them.

“We are an ambitious class,” Finn said. “I believe there is no limit to the prosperity of our futures.”

Senior vocalists and musicians performed the upbeat song “September,” which transitioned from Finn’s speech into the lighthearted tone of senior class essayist Daniel Fier’s speech.

Fier made the unique comparison between the class of 2016 and Netflix.

“The Netflix library caters to the interests of everyone,” Fier said. “Our grade too, is much like the Netflix library. We have athletes, talented musicians, aspiring artists, and everyone in between; and that’s incredible.”

Fier concluded his speech with a song, rather than the conventional ‘thank you’ or ‘goodbye.’

Senior Henry Fournier joined Fier on stage to serve as the main vocalist. At the same time, Fier added his own spin to the classic theme song of the sitcom “Friends”, with some beatboxing.

Following Fier’s speech was the commencement address given by applied arts and technology teachers Nicole Ruffo and Cameron Martin.

Ruffo and Martin’s address initially had the feel of a casual, comedic conversation rather than a typical speech.

“Class of 2016, what were you thinking?” Ruffo said. “You have decided to seek advice about living a long, successful life from one of the youngest teachers in the building, Mr. Martin? Come on, Mr. Martin just got his driver’s license and braces off like two years ago.”

Ruffo’s occasional jokes were met with Martin’s encouragement to never lose the ambition to succeed.

“The key to life isn’t being smarter than the rest,” Martin said. “The key to life is resilience.”

The students who demonstrated this resilience throughout their high school careers were then recognized by principal Tom Mead for outstanding performance in both academics and extracurriculars.

As the 2016 class advisors Danielle DeCiero and Melissa Arvanigian stepped on stage to present the candidates, the excitement in the gymnasium escalated, with graduates waiting intently to hear their name called.

Northborough-Southborough Regional School Committee Chairperson Kathleen Polutchko awarded the diplomas to the candidates, along with Mead and Johnson.

Once all seniors had received their diplomas, valedictorians Gabrielle Russo and Riley Casey returned to the stage to lead the class in the turning of the tassels.

The class of 2016 then officially became Algonquin alumni.

According to Johnson, the opportunities presented to seniors throughout their high school careers have in some ways, defined the path that their lives will take post-graduation.

“Some time from now, when you reach your future endeavors and successes, you can look back on this day and say ‘Yes, this is where my new beginning started,’” Johnson said.