The East Greenwich High School Class of 2014 was recognized as having a big heart during graduation ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence Sunday afternoon.

The 172 graduates paraded in to the traditional strains of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, performed by the EGHS Band and Cayla Keenan sang the Star Spangled Banner. In his introduction of Andrew Minor as salutatorian, class social chair Brett Estes teased that yes, it was time to recognize Miner … again. For his part, Miner urged his classmates to be guided by love, referring to a Norwegian video of a boy without a coat and the people he encounters who help clothe him.

Valedictorian Heather Shen offered four pieces of advice to her classmates, gleaned from her own experiences at EGHS: work hard, don’t rush, kept things in perspective and live a fulfilling life.

Music performances, speeches from various teachers and administrators and, of course, the handing out of diplomas rounded out the graduation. Video from the graduation can be found here.

Cayla Keenan sings the “Star Spangled Banner.”

 Applause for Cayla Keenan.

Brett Estes introduces Salutatorian Andrew Miner.

Andrew Miner, class salutatorian. 

Carolyn Cruise introduces Valedictorian Heather Shen. 

Valedictorian Heather Shen. 

Stephanie Fields and Christopher Colgan perform Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”

Paul Andreson, class treasurer, offers a humorous explanation of class gift(s): color for the logo on Avenger Field and four exercise bikes for the weight training room.

Madison Baiocchi and Samuel Badeau perform John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”