Students filled in the front rows of the tabernacle for Class Night. —Dena Porter 
Science and reading teacher Kiely Rigali posed with best buddies Joao Nunes and Xeandre Miller, with Xeandre’s proud father Shane. —Dena Porter 
John Fiorito, the MVRHS Director of Guidance welcomed the audience to Class Night at the Tabernacle. —Dena Porter 
MVRHS Principal Sean Mulvey congratulated the seniors for their commitment to doing community service. —Dena Porter 
The MV Camp Meeting Association general manager Kim Reilly welcomed everyone to this historic tabernacle for Class Night. —Dena Porter 
Members of the Martha’s Vineyard community, such as Agricultural Society board members Trip Barnes, Tina Miller and Ruby Dix gave out thousands of dollars of scholarship money and gifts to the seniors. —Dena Porter 
Lucas DeBettencourt spoke fondly about his father Peter and the scholarship award that was established in his memory. —Dena Porter 
Landscape painter Allen Whiting shook hands with Tahira Waite as she received a scholarship on stage. —Dena Porter 
Students eagerly waited to hear if their names would be called to receive scholarship prizes. —Dena Porter 
Chris Bahara MV Film Society’s Membership and Special Events Director gave Bryan Fernandes a scholarship. —Dena Porter 
Some students won scholarship prizes, including Ipads and other cool swag! —Dena Porter 
Joseph Medeiros won the Eric Bergeron MacLean Memorial Boys Varsity Hockey scholarship that was provided by the MVRHS Hockey Booster Club. —Dena Porter 
Members of the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP alongwith this year’s scholarship recipients. —Dena Porter 
Karen Morgenbesser and Melinda Fager of the MV Art Association Old Sculpin Gallery congratulated the students for their many accomplishments before announcing their organization’s scholarship recipients. —Dena Porter 
Representatives from the MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby brought all of their scholarship recipients to the stage at Class Night. —Dena Porter 
Sydney Bruguiere was awarded the Hutker Architects, Inc. Design Scholarship by Matthew Cramer. —Dena Porter 
The Cottagers, Inc. organization, represented by their vice-president Linda Silva Thompson awarded $10K scholarships each to Carron Marson and Jacoby Harris. —Dena Porter 
On behalfof the Embarking Peacemaker MV Peace Council & MV Friends Meeting (Quakers), Bob Laskowski gave a scholarship to Katherine Becker. —Dena Porter 
Students filled in the front rows of the tabernacle for Class Night. —Dena Porter 
Students filed into the tabernacle early to get their seats. —Dena Porter 
Former NAACP President Toni Kauffman gave Cayhana Williams a congratulatory hug before the event began. —Dena Porter 
Xeandre Miller’s dad Shane is extremely proud, as his son embarks on a career in aviation mechanics. —Dena Porter
Graduating seniors from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) received nearly $1.3 million in scholarships from Island organizations during Friday evening’s Class Night at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs.
Many of the awards honored the legacies of deceased community members.
$1.52 million in post-grad scholarships were also awarded, totaling $2.8 million in scholarships awarded to Island students.
MVRHS Director of Guidance John Fiorito applauded the high school seniors and their families for their kindness during the scholarship application processes.
“When families understand that such a large amount of need is potentially available, it may be human nature to get a little crazy,” Fiorito said. “I am here to report that seniors and their families have been nothing but respectful, non-judgmental, and appreciative throughout the entire process.”
MVRHS Principal Sean Mulvey encouraged seniors to give back to their communities on and off the Island.
“Tonight is all about people helping other people,” Mulvey said. “As you go out into the world and settle into your communities, whether it’s here on M.V. or somewhere else, my hope is that you will remember and appreciate these people, and in turn you find a way to give back to your community.”
New scholarship funds were announced, such as a $250,000 donation by the estate of Raphael Fusco, a longtime custodian at MVRHS who died in April 2025. Each year, one male and female student will each receive a $10,000 need-based scholarship. This year’s recipients were Danielle Meyer and Bryan Fernandes.
The Portuguese-American Club also awarded three of its scholarships in memory of Patricia “Tricia” Bergeron, including a joint fund for her partner, Roy Scheffer. Bergeron, the club’s longtime former president and Scheffer, an Island aquaculture pioneer, died in a tragic boating accident on New Year’s Day that shook the Island community. Bergeron, whose teenage son, Eric McLean, died in a car accident in 2001, had presented the Eric Bergeron McLean Memorial Boys Varsity Hockey Scholarship for over 20 years. She would advise the seniors to always wear their seatbelts.
This year’s recipients were Grace Bennett-Rock, Leah deBettencourt, and Grady Stalgren.
Current PA Club President Gina deBettencourt presented the awards alongside club members Corinne Alton and Pam Sylvia. DeBettencourt gave the seniors her own safety warning.
“The biggest plea every year for Tricia was to wear your seatbelt,” deBettencourt said. “You do not want families up here in your memory and I am asking you tonight, if you are on the water, please wear the life jacket.”
Class Night is a longtime Island tradition that celebrates MVRHS seniors just before graduation, which will happen this Sunday at the Tabernacle.
Going into Class Night on Friday, senior Xeandre Miller, who will be studying aviation mechanics at Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable, said that he’s excited about his father attending Class Night and for this weekend’s graduation ceremony.
“I’m very happy my father’s here and for him to be here to see me go on stage and maybe get some awards,” Miller said. “I’m very happy to graduate and start moving forward to the next part of my life.”
Class Night also showcased how the Island community rallies around its students. Senior Adriana Young will be attending Rhode Island School of Design and she appreciated seeing both the financial and emotional support from the community during Class Night.
“It’s an important night for everybody because college is too expensive,” Young said. “It’s nice to see everybody out there supporting their kids and seeing them walk up on the stage.”