Despite sweltering temperatures outside, Newtown High School's Class of 2018 graduated with high spirits inside Western Connecticut State University's O'Neill Center in the late afternoon on June 18.The Newtown Bee.

The commencement ceremony saw 417 students walk across the stage to be honored.

Family members and friends filled the bleachers in the O'Neill Center, and everyone stood to cheer as the wave of graduates flowed to the rows of seats.

Speakers at the event included Newtown High School Interim Principal David Roach, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, Student Government Co-President Justice Zoto, Senior Class Co-President Michael Arther, Class of 2018 salutatorian Emily King, Class of 2018 Valedictorian Talia Hankin, Newtown Scholarship Association President Patrick Kelley, and two teachers, Richard Lye and Jacob Thomas, who offered commencement speeches.

"All of us will be watching from the wings as you do great things," Dr Rodrigue told the graduates.

A further look at the June 18 commencement ceremony, with more pictures, will be available in the June 22, 2018, print edition of