05-03-2025
Massena Central High School asking community to 'Adopt a Senior'
Mar. 4—MASSENA — While the Massena Central School Board continues to plan recognition for graduating seniors, one program is already underway to recognize the members of the Class of 2025.
The "Adopt a Senior" program is a tradition that began with the Massena Central School Class of 2020 at a time when COVID-19 disrupted the school year is back. The pandemic prompted the start of the program, as seniors missed out on events such as pep rallies and prom.
Once again this year, Massena community members are being asked to "Adopt a Senior" from the high school's Class of 2025 by providing a gift basket with a minimum value of $30 for one of them. Seniors are filling out a "Favorite Things" form that they'll share with anyone who wants to adopt a senior, and baskets will be delivered between March 24 and April 4.
Anyone who would like to adopt a senior can provide the student's name by email to mtrimboli@
Graduation is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. June 27, with a rain date of June 28 on the turf field. Leading the class will be Valedictorian Meghan Firnstein and Salutatorian Evan Bovay.
Before the students cross the graduation, the district's school board is planning a reception event in the May-June time frame as one of four board goals for the 2024-25 school year. It reads, "The Board of Education will create a focus goal on the graduating class of 2025 by using tools such as the LifeTrack survey, a Graduation Ceremony policy and/or logistics, and a Board sponsored reception event for Seniors," and has a goal completion date of April 1.
"This is one that we haven't really done a whole lot on, although from what I understand, there's been some inroads made with getting the LifeTrack survey underway," board President Paul A. Haggett said.
The district has contracted with LifeTrack Services to survey students three times, including prior to graduation, 18 months following graduation, and five years after students graduate to gauge how well the district has prepared them for post-graduation. The survey opened after students returned from their recent break.
"As far as some of these other parts of this goal, we haven't really had a lot of time put in on this, but we do have a plan," Haggett said.
The ad hoc committee, headed by board member Patricia F. Murphy, was scheduled to meet Feb. 26 for more planning. Murphy had initially suggested the senior reception.
Haggett also updated board members on the creation of a policy regarding graduation.
"The board of education policy on the graduation ceremony is being drafted by Mr. Perretta (Vice President Kevin F. Perretta) and will be reviewed by the Policy Committee. So, we do have some definite action steps to take," he said.
