Lightning Disrupts Dedham High Graduation

As families began to take their seats on the lawn of the around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening for the graduation, Dedham School District administrators were nervously watching the graying skies overhead.

Lightning was first seen at the Endicott Estate at 5:15 p.m., leading superintendent June Doe to urge families to move inside the Estate, or take refuge in their cars.

Graduates were held inside on the second floor of the Estate.

Despite the downpour that ensued, 176 graduates decked in maroon and white robes processed through the Estate and onto the back porch that served as a stage to receive their diplomas.

Dedham fire officials were on hand to monitor the occupancy of the Endicott Estate. 

Deputy John Fontaine estimated that between 400 and 500 people were inside, but didn't immediately know what the occupancy limit is.

"Once it got organized, it went smoothly under the circumstances," Fontaine said by phone Wednesday evening.

Prior to handing out diplomas, Doe said to one parent, "[The] fire chief is about to shut us down."

He didn't, and the ceremony went on close to as planned.

University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun gave the keynote address to a crowd on the stage. Calhoun coached an undefeated basketball team at DHS in 1971.

Class president Brian Coakley, valedictorian Susannah White and salutatorian Kelly St. Cyr each gave their prepared remarks to a few dozen people in a back room.