EXETER — Exeter High School valedictorian Neiming Wu didn’t want to give the usual graduation speech to his classmates. Instead, he shared the three ways to fail, citing the old saying, “failure is the mother of all success.”
“I’m not really good with motivational speeches,” he joked.
Clad in white and navy robes, baby blue and golden stoles, and cords of many colors around their necks, 333 Exeter High School seniors walked across Eustis Field for the last time as high schoolers at Saturday’s graduation.
In Wu’s message to the class, he said the three ways to fail are to “give up, don’t accept setbacks, and don’t give anything a try.”
He then went through each of them and encouraged his peers to keep going, embrace setbacks, and take risks.
"It is only from setbacks that we learn what to do and what not to do, so we can improve ourselves and hopefully get closer to our goal," he said.
Avoiding challenges and giving up, he said, are the real failures.
"Those who never give anything a try because they're scared are the ones who have truly failed,” he said.
He reminded them their lives are full of potential as they stand “still near the starting line.”
“However, I would not use that as an excuse," he said. "One day, you might look back and regret not taking the risk."
Wu, who will attend UMass Amherst this fall, plans to major in biomedical science with a pre-med track concentration.
Salutatorian Annastina Tan, in her speech, stressed the importance of “acceptance” and “embracing the unknown,” citing that it was those two factors that created her fondest memories, her proudest moments and her greatest achievements throughout the past four years.
“To take the first step is to accept the unknown and to accept the inevitable discomfort,” she said. “Without places of discomfort, I would not have any of my success, academics or otherwise, and I certainly would not be here today delivering this speech.”
This fall, Tan will attend Northeastern University to major in biochemistry and minor in psychology. In the final moments of her speech, she didn’t just advise her peers to take opportunities as they come, but to “chase them down yourself.”
More: Exeter High School names top 10 students in the Class of 2024
Exeter High grads are ready for what comes next
Though graduation was bittersweet, most said they were ready for the next chapter.
Moments before he walked into the field, Aidan Kenison quoted famous singer Ricky Martin to describe his feelings: “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
“I’m nervous but excited at the same time,” he added.
Kenison said one of his proudest accomplishments throughout high school has been his personal growth, stating he has become more sociable and outgoing.
Kenison said he will be taking a gap year to focus on work. In the future, he wants to become an EMT. He said his “wanting-to-help-someone mentality” was inspired by his mom, who is a nurse.
Ten minutes before the ceremony started, the seniors lined up two-by-two, making last-minute checks such as zipping up their robes and putting on their caps of different designs.
Ellie Kirkland styled her cap with a collage of pictures of her high school friends with the word “UCONN” bedazzled on top in blue and silver.
Kirkland, who has a love for statistics and data analytics, plans to major in data science.
One of her proudest high school achievements, she said, was her time management skills, juggling between sports, extracurriculars and higher-level classes.
Ball: Exeter High will always be home
In his speech, commencement speaker Bill Ball congratulated the Class of 2024 for their adversity, especially starting high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he said there are more challenges to come and advised the students not to quit.
“Sometimes you have to pause, sometimes you have to redirect, but we, your family, believe in you,” he said.
Ball, who’s been with the school for 46 years, is set to retire this year as athletic director. He has said he will remain as the school's football coach.
“As you progress, remember, respect can’t be purchased,” he added.
Ball ended his speech by wishing students the best and reminding them that Exeter will always be their home.
More: Bill Ball opens up about 46-year career in Exeter as he's set to retire as AD
“Exeter High School is not a four-year commitment,” he said. “It’s a lifetime.”
Exeter High School Class of 2024
Ajaya Acharya
Devin M. Agnello
Isabel Alvarez
Dylan Dana Anderson
Jonah A. Antal
Sawyer Evan Timothy Barnette
Derek John Barney Jr.
Colleen Elizabeth Bartel
Aiden J. Baxter
Camryn Beckwith
Eli Beem
Isaac Beem
Aiden Scott Benoit
George Robert Bergin
Alison Bernard
Lauren Bernard
Ethan John Bernich
Kristen Bickford
Ian Patrick Bishop
Lilyan Marrie Blood
Anna Hailey Blouin
Saniyah Neter Bolton
Declan Edward Bonner
Sophie T. Bosa
Michael A. Bosch
Gabriel M. Bourgeault
Austin R. Bourn
Jack Ryan Bove
William Brent Bowie
Jayden Winter Braley
Jacob William Brown
Kyle Jackson Brown
Aidan Q. Buehrle
Annika Burnim
Eveliina Burnim
Lilly Michelle Buxton
Joshua Michael Buzzell
Robert M. Cambio
Ava Gabrielle Capparelli
Harrison Caracciolo
Jackson Cooper Cartwright
Stephen Michael Casaletto Jr.
Maxwell Robert Casey
Jacob Joseph Cebula
Harrington Robert Chabot
Liam G. Charte
Tyler E. Charte
Isaiah Bentley Chavanelle
Ava Rose Chiumiento
Mia Rae Chiumiento
Annie M. Christiana
Lauren Chute
Holland Rose Clark
Austin J. Collins
Leah A. Collins
Arthur Louis Comeau Jr.
Kyle Joseph Conti
Deaglan Martin Conway
Harrison Conway
Gabriel Andrew Cook
Tucker Mason Cooke
Sophie Costantini
Isabella R. Cozart-Olson
Caitlin Alicja Craven
Edy M. Crawford
Connor James Curley
Ava Loren Dabrieo
John Patrick Dawson
Ella Marie De Angelis
Bailey Anthony Decatur
Jack E. Delea
Sean William DeLello
Evan Christopher Delorie
Ryan William Dempsey
Brayden Robert Dennehy
Lucas Andrew DeRosier
Ella Riley Dillman
Austin Robert Dion
John Thomas Dodge
Nathan Zacharias Dodge
Ella Audrey Donohue
Riley Elizabeth Donohue
Brielle Nicole Dourdoufis
Leanne Nicole Drown
Dylan Blaise Drunsic
Jose DiBonaventura Duarte
Kate Ducharme
Olivia Rose Duquette
Molly Keefe Elliott
Brigham Dylan Ellis
Grace L. Ellis
WilliamEvans
Jurrien Everett
John Louis Fabiano
Eric Tu-Liang Fan
Maxfield J. Farnham
Georgia Fernandes
QuinnFernandes
Mariel K. Flaherty
Mark Richard Florence
Carl Thien Franklin Foster
S. Aselin Fream
YasminGagnier
Ava Ryan Garrity
Laurel Catherine Gauthier
Layne M. Gellman
Ann Susan George
Alexander Boden Germain
Maximus J. Givetz
Michael Brian Gluck
Lily K. Gordon
Ann Catherine Gorman
Alexander J. Goulet
Clare Elizabeth Grace
Fiona Margaret Grace
Giana Kathleen Grasso
AlizzaGray
Will T. Grazier
Blain Michael Greenhalgh
Zachary David Grim
PatrickGuindy
Ella Hale
Chloe Michelle Hall
Kassidy Brooke Hall
Keira Anne Halligan
Clare Ryan Hannan
Nathaniel Harding
Matthew Lawson Hart
Sydney M. Hauthaway
Miles Andrew Hazo
William Connor Helliesen
Owen Hemenway
Lauren Riley Henderson
Camryn J. Herrick
Amelia Elise Hert
Oliver Patrick Hillman
Steven K. Hills
Bailey Hoch
Nathan Hughes
Alexander John Hutaff
Laura Jane Hyvari
Ava Mae Iacobucci
Caroline Marian Ireland
NatalieJackson
RachelJackson
Indee Johnson
Naomi S. Johnson
Noah C. Johnson
AriannaJones
Dakota Mae Jones
Shamili Grace Joseph
Thalia Joseph
Cameron J. Keaveney
Shaylyn Roz Keenan
Augustus Joseph Kelly
Aidan W. Kenison
Nevaeh Kephalas
Curtis A. Kimball IV
Esmé Corine King Farbstein
Eleanor Grace Kirkland
Clara Knab
Joseph Kenneth Labonte
Walker Anthony LaBrasca
Vincent L. LaBroad
Logan Stanley Laferte
Shea Roberts LaFleur
KristenLambrecht
SabrinaLamkin
Quinn Alexander LaNigra
Mary Clare Larkin
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Lawson
SummerLeClerc
Joshua M. Lecuyer
Nia Sofia Leeser
Megan Leigh
Jack Philip Lennon
Kaylee Marie Leonard
Davis Benjamin Long
Catherine Celeste Longcope
Jovanie Lopez Martinez
Evan Carter Louie
Maya Grace Lucas
Addison Reese Lyles
Allison Elisabeth MacDonald
Marlie Morgan Macek
Manit Mahajan
Gavin Malark
Rylee Marchand
Camryn Rose Marconi
Skylar Lynn Marek
Sawyer D. Marquis
Ethan Thomas Marsh
Katherine Matson
Ella Lynn Mattson
Conlan Joseph Loman McCartney
Brooklyn Elizabeth McCoy
Morgan Wade McGibbney
Bryce Michael McGuinness
Joshua John McGuinness
Natalie McKee
Sarah Ann Melick
Erik P. Menger
Nathan Robert Mikulsky
Beck Constance Silva Miller
Casey J. Min
Cameron Chessie Mitchell
Masun Orion Moore
Reese Szelma Moores
Thomas Edmund Morgera Jr.
Dyson Winter Morse
Claire Morgan Mosher
Lincoln James Moulding
Alexander Elliot Mozina
Charles Christian Mozina
Derek Andrew Murley
Miles Grant Murray
Myles Stephen Nadeau
Sophia Catherine Nadeau
Andrew Leon Nicholas
Evan Constantine Nicholas
Halle Bea Noke
Kelly O'Brien
Neila A. O'Brien
Quinn Nola O'Brien
Zoe O'Kane
Aimee M. Olson
Casey Paige O'Neil
Ryan G. O'Neill
Lily Kathryn Olulundsen
Hunter Fredrick Outhouse
Madeleine Mae Paige
Tressa A. Parent
Colin Vincent Parlin
Jia-Mei Patten
Alexander Brian Pelletier
Dhruv Varma Penumatsa
Shayna Rose Petit
Rowan Elizabeth Phillips
Catherine Pindell
Arianna E. Pompeo
Rachel Lee Poulin
Brennen Powell
Carey Anne Power
Reid Powley
Abigail Brooke Pulichino
Max Henry Radzom
Zack Kurt Radzom
Allyson Leigh Regan
Griffin A. Rice
Samantha Morgan Rider
Trinity Rinehart
Savanna Elena Ritz
Kaitlyn J. Rocha
Jack Parker Rodgers
Brady C. Rogers
Julien Kenneth Rogles
Dejah Rondeau
Alliana Mae Rose
Jackson Thomas Rowe
Samantha Theo Saragih
Sophia M. Sardinas
Grace Olivia Sarmiento
Luke Alexander Scherbon
Taylor Jesse Schwalje
Caitlin Schweizer
Bradley D. Scroggins
KaylaSerafin
MaxShairs
Max Wight Sherman
Olivia S. Shore
Julia Shupe
Samantha Catherine Sides
Ewan G. Simard
Abigail Marie Simko
Wesley Joel Smiley
Aiden Jeffrey Smith
Tanner Johnston Smith
John Francis Smyth
Benjamin Charles Sorber
Griffin Marek Srokose
Ava Elizabeth Staniec
Garen Melissa Steiner
Isabelle Anne Steiner
Devin Stone
Samuel St. Onge
Megan Goodwin Story
Molly K. Sturtevant
Allison Grace Sughrue
AnnastinaTan
Samuel David Tapley
Serena Grace Taylor
Teagan Rose Theberge
Alex Thigpen
Rayna L. Thompson
William Oliver Thompson
Sarah Irene Thornhill
Dylan Todd Thurlow
Ellie Samira Trabelsi
Katherine Turner
Rees Lloyd Tyler
Josslyn Ulven
Hari Umapathy
Nathan A. Vaters
Madison Ruth Veader
Alexandra Kristine Veinotte
Kenneth J. Verhelle
Madison Verhelle
Matthew Wallace
Jackson D. Walsh
Chad Walston
Owen Richard Warriner
Ava Grace Welch
Annabeth Rieve Wheeler
Olivia Grace Wheeler
Dylan John Whelan
Maia Grace White
Emerson David Whitehead
Luke B. Whiting
Owen Turner Williams
Dennis Eskinder Wolfe
Jack Anthony Woodard
Dylan Woods
Nieming Wu
Chase Peter Wyskiel
Matthew Yang
Selina Yang
Alexis Yeatts
Avalon Yeatts
Ivy Young
Margaret Alice Young
Ella Jo Zagami
Zackary Zaloga
Sandy Zheng
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter High School grads encouraged to fail, learn and keep going