By SANDY McGEE

NORTH SMITHFIELD — Graduates were asked to embrace change at North Smithfield Junior-Senior High School’s 41st and final commencement ceremony on Friday.

The Class of 2008 is historically the last official class to graduate from the building known as “North Smithfield Junior-Senior High School.”
“Beginning with the Class of 2009, we will be for the first time, North Smithfield High School,” said David S. Silva, principal of the high school. “Although there are still four more classes who will enjoy the experience of being here for six years, I know that I will eventually miss sharing those wondrous years … as I have with you.”
One hundred and ten graduates received diplomas during the commencement ceremony held Friday evening in the courtyard at the high school.
Speakers for the event included Class President Nicole M. Lemieux; Salutatorian Jennifer L. Brodeur; Robert E. Lafleur, chairman of the School Committee; Superintendent of Schools Stephen F. Lindberg; Robert B. Lowe, town administrator; Valedictorian Corey S. Brier; and Silva.
Frank J. Williams, chief justice for the Rhode Island Supreme Court, presented the commencement address.
Musical performances at the ceremony included the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” “Defying Gravity” from the musical “Wicked,” “Our Kingsland Spring” and “Fanfare and Recessional.”
According to the high school principal, students of this year’s graduating class have been accepted to 75 post-secondary schools; received, as a total class, nearly $1 million in scholarships; and 48 percent have served as members of the national and state honor societies.
Silva also cited “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran in his address to graduating seniors and audience members.
“‘The paths of our arrows are infinite and, with stable hands, we must, with gladness, let our arrows fly swift and far,’” he said. “Whatever infinite path of life you take, always remember the stable hands of the archers in this wonderful little place called home that now sends you forth with pride, love and joy.”
Valedictorian Brier spoke to the students about changes in the past and future. 
“Throughout our time together as a class, much has changed,” he said. “Economically, the price of gas has drastically changed. Six years ago, as we were graduating from Halliwell (Elementary) School and were preparing to enter the high school, we could have purchased a gallon of gas for only $1.32. Now, the same gallon of gas would cost us almost $4.”
Brier also discussed a significant change within his own family. “In my own life, I have been affected by an enormous change,” he said. “Several years ago, I was told that my father had become aware that he was transgendered.
“As a family, we talked and discussed the situation. My parents, despite now being divorced, still respect each other and care for each other. My parents have demonstrated the importance of doing not what is easy, but what is right…
“Despite the difficulty of a situation, anyone can cope with change and come out stronger … Change is the human condition - it will come whether we are ready for it or not. The key to success is not to try to avoid change. Just keep on going through whatever challenges life will bring.”
Salutatorian Brodeur began her speech with a visit to the past, discussing changes from 40 years ago.
“I recently took out my dad’s high school yearbook to get some ideas for this speech,” she said. “I thought about how many things were different in 1968. It was a year when popular artists consisted of ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Doors,’ the ‘hippie look’ was in style and gas was only 34 cents a gallon. 1968 also marked a time of change, with the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and the beginning of peace negotiations with Vietnam…
“The more I thought about it, the more I thought that maybe we aren’t so different from the kids of 1968 after all. We’re still dealing with war, some of us still love ‘The Beatles’…”
Brodeur then asked the audience members to raise their hands if they were satisfied with their careers. She also asked the graduates to look around at the hands raised.
“So, graduates of North Smithfield, I challenge you to take what you’ve learned from the people here, keep the memories and friends that you’ve made with you, and go for your dreams,” she said. “Build the future that you see for yourself, not what other people see for you, because whether you’re from the Class of 1968 or the Class of 2008, we all want the same thing, and that is to be happy.”