Submitted by The Bedford High School Parents Association
Thanks to the generosity of caregivers, friends, and community members, the Class of 2024 was treated to a spectacular All Night Graduation Celebration on the evening of June 6-7, 2024.
The support of parent and caregiver volunteers (including several who have students that graduated long ago!), sponsors, donors, and Bedford staff members was instrumental in giving this class a well-deserved night to remember. After missing their 8th grade trips to Washington D.C. as well as their JGMS Moving On Ceremony and Party in 2020, everyone was eager to celebrate this group of seniors.
Please visit All Night Grad Party Thank You to read our full thank you note to the Bedford community!
Started in 1988, The All Night Graduation Celebration is a safe and substance-free evening on the night of graduation where our seniors can celebrate, reminisce, and enjoy their last hours together as a class. During this event, attendees enjoy lots of food from local businesses, incredible performers, hilarious games, fun activities, and prizes. On average, over 80% of the graduates attend, and no student is ever denied entry based on financial circumstances.
The 2024 celebration was unique in several bittersweet ways. As the planning committee began preparations in January, they quickly realized that this class did not have photo collages to hang up in the BHS hallways at All Night Grad. These posters are traditionally saved from the class’s 8th grade Moving On party. A group of parents and caregivers led by Laura Tumasz got to work secretly collecting group photos to create the collages. Over 115 seniors were also represented on the surprise “Then and Now” wall made up of cards with a baby photo paired with a recent photo- another photo display usually created for the 8th grade Moving On party- created by Tumasz’s crew. Students and volunteers alike enjoyed searching through the graduates’ photos through the years remembering recitals, sport teams, adventures, and candids.
We also bid a happy retirement to Brendan Fitzpatrick, 87 years young, after this year’s All Night Graduation Party. For as far back as anyone can remember, Brendan has been at the door ready to greet attendees and immediately engage them in a game of Simon Says. With his iconic black shirt reading “Simon” on the front and “Says” on the back, Simon set the tone for the evening, bringing students together in small groups and getting them laughing and relaxed. Brendan spoke to the volunteers when he arrived, always punctual at 10:30 p.m., letting them know that this would be his last performance as Simon. He made everyone proud when he added that he couldn’t have asked for it to be at a better school- his favorite school where he found the students to be the most respectful. All Night Grad will not be the same without him.
This special event has been made possible by the manpower of 150+ volunteers and the financial and in-kind support from the entire Bedford community; families, organizations, and businesses alike. Special recognition goes to our Class of 2024 All Night Graduation Planning Committee Members: Co-Chairs- Dawn Kociubes and Leah Walton; Chaperones and Commemorative Photo USB- Amit Shahar; Clean-up and Storage- Lisa Kaushik and Julie Sheridan; Decorations- Cindy Tulimieri and Ana Gonzales Flores; Entertainment- Heather Thacore and Karen Collins; Fundraising- Shirley Fan-Chan and Kelly Anderson; Photo Booth – Patricia Fabian; Photo Decorations- Laura Tumasz, Apryl Whitt-Hill, Sally Morrison, Severine Bussiere, and Elena Pellegrino; Prizes- Kristin Doucet and Claire Demeo; Refreshments- Jessica Fair, Audrey Gould, Namrata Shah, and Parvathi Susarla; Senior Gifts- Shirley Fan-Chan; Tickets- Courtney Luongo; Treasurer- Kelly Randazzo; Webmaster – Jenny Stewart.
Please join us in thanking these generous local businesses that support our students year after year!
Platinum Sponsor- Alainn Medical Aesthetics (The Kelly Family) and Massport.
Gold Sponsors- Bedford Youth & Family Services, Lantheus, and Rotary Club of Bedford.
Silver Sponsors- Bedford Dental, Carleton-Willard Village, Hanscom Spouses Club, Jersey Mike’s, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Middlesex Savings Bank, Suzanne & Company, Werfen.
Bronze Sponsors- Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty: Jennifer Kelley, Mimi Henning, Cil Cangiano, Emily Medlar, and Sheena Santos, Realtors, Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball, Bedford High School Parents Association, Brookline Bank, Brown & Brown PC, Debbie Spencer Group, KA Tennis, Ken’s NY Deli, Patriot Pediatrics, Rancatore’s, Simply Sarah Art, Wegman’s.
Buccaneer Blue Sponsors- Bedford Athletic Association, Bedford Car Wash, Bedford Farms Ice Cream, Bedford Florist, Bedford Funeral Home, Inc., Bedford House of Roast Beef, Bedford Jewish Community, Bedford Organic Nails and Spa, Bedford Orthodontics, Bedford Pediatrics, Blue Cape Cookies, Blue Ribbon Barbecue, Boston Red Sox, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burtons Grill and Bar, Callahan’s Karate Studio, Chick-Fil-A, Chip in Farm, Coppe & Sears Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Doyon’s Modern Home/Appliances, Dunkin’ Donuts – North Road, Express Pizza / Bedford Cupcakes, Five Guys, Ginger Japanese Restaurant, Great Wall Restaurant, Hand and Stone, Jia Restaurant, Kimball Farm Ice Cream, Leonards Music, Level 99, Mahoney’s Garden Center, McCarthy Plastering, McDonald’s Restaurant, Melting Pot, Moison Ace Hardware, New England Patriots, O’Connor Hardware, Paddle Boston, Parish of St. Michael, Pepe’s Pizza, Peppers Grille, PJM Construction LLC, Portland Sea Dogs, Shake Shack, Swan Boats of Boston, Trader Joe’s of Burlington, Twist Bakery, Wilson Farm, Worcester Red Sox, Xtreme Craze, Yard House.
To learn more about the All Night Graduation Party Celebration and to become a sponsor of the Class of 2025 party to be held on June 5-6, 2025, visit BHSPA All Night Grad Party or email Dawn Kociubes and Leah Walton at [email protected].
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Such a well organized and fun night. The perfect way for seniors to make some final memories before their next life stage begins .