Video: College of Our Lady of the Elms honors Grafton’s Docekal as valedictorian

Shaughnessy Docekal was honored as the Class of 2021 valedictorian of the College of Our Lady of the Elms, addressing her fellow graduates at the recent commencement.

A 2017 Grafton High School graduate, Docekal received her bachelor of arts in Communications Sciences and Disorders. She plans to enter Worcester State University this fall to begin her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Docekal centered her address on “grit,” which she considered key to withstanding the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to not only their academic careers but their personal lives.

“I think it goes without saying what united us all this year. We all know. And I know what you’re thinking about right now – every negative impact the pandemic has had on this past academic year has just come back in your mind, including that one Zoom call where no one could decide who should hang up first, resulting in an awkward period of silence – but I raise you another thought, mostly to clear out whatever unfortunate repressed remote learning experience I just dug up. And that thought is: we made it. Most impressive – I think – is that we’re all here today. And while we may be united through what may just be the most unique school year, what brought us together this year, was our grit.”

Shaughnessy Docekal 

Grafton Common can also feature YOUR recent college graduate! Send a photo and graduation information to jennifer@graftoncommon.com.

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