Boquet Valley Central School graduate Maggie Ploufe embraces her great-grandfather John A. Neggia, a World War II veteran, after he received his Operation Recognition diploma. The program recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all veterans discharged under honorable conditions who left school early. Boquet Valley’s griffin mascot is seen on Ploufe’s face mask. (Provided photo — Alvin Reiner, Press-Republican)

WESTPORT — Boquet Valley Central School, the new district which combined Elizabethtown/Lewis and Westport Central Schools, held its inaugural commencement Saturday with the backdrop of Lake Champlain at Westport’s Ballard Park.

The ceremony featured co-valedictorians Aiden DeMuro and Annette Stephens, and co-salutatorians Bree Hunsdon and McKenzie Stephens, as for the first three years of the district arrangements were made to honor the top students from each of the previous districts.

In addition to the 24 high school seniors, John A. Neggia, a 94 year-old World War II veteran, received a high school diploma through the state Operation Recognition Program, which recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all veterans discharged under honorable conditions who left school early.