Raytheon Corporation employees were out in force on June 16, participating in the opening of the Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center at the U.S.S Constitution Museum in Charlestown. Raytheon, headquartered in Tewksbury, is a major sponsor of the museum's bicentennial of the War of 1812. The Raytheon p[ublic relations department provided these images from the event.

Butcher? Baker? Candlestick maker? Students in the 5th and 6th grades have many career dreams and plenty of time to explore those dreams. Recently, the John Ryan School hosted a Career Day for its students, attracting dozens of adults, including representatives from several municipal departments, willing to talk about their jobs and answer questions from eager students. Editor Bill Gilman was on hand at the event, both as a presenter and as a working journalist. He captured these images from the event.

Due to a poor weather, the 2012 Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School graduation was postponed to Friday, June 8, 2012 and was moved to the Burlington High School gymnasium. But a change of date and venue couldn't dampen the celebration, as 316 students received their diplomas. Jessica Kenney of Tewksbury was the Class of 2012 Valedictorian. She will be attending MIT in the fall. A complete list of graduates is attached to this story as a PDF document. Photographer Shawn Hansen was on hand and captured these photographs.

James Gaffney, Beverly Bennett and Robert Hunter have combined for upwards of two centuries worth of service to their families, their communities and their country. The efforts of those three invididuals were recognized last week when the Tewksbury Republican Town Committee honored them for their lives of community service. In addition to lifetime memberships in the Republic Town Committee, Gaffney, Bennett and Hunter each received personal letters of congratulations from Sen. Scott Brown, delivered by Selectman Doug Sears, as well as proclamations in their honor from the State House of …

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by Donna Lizzotte, a member of the All Night Long Organizing Committee. Photos of the event were taken by Editor Bill Gilman.) Immediately following the TMHS graduation, the 17th annual All Night Long Graduation Celebration took place at TMHS. An army of volunteers planned for months and worked throughout the day and evening to transform the school into a place that was unrecognizable to the graduates when they first entered. There were themed areas including a beach, New York City, Mardi Gras and the Old West. The gymnasium was a giant …

They will forwever be known as the final class to graduation from Tewksbury Memorial High School before the new school opens in the fall. But the legacy of the TMHS Class of 2012 will go well beyond going to school in the shadow of contruction for the past two years.They've enjoyed great success in athletics (Super Bowl appearance, best tennis record in school history) and academics (four graduates attending Ivy League schools). And what other class can boast two valedictorians (Keon Horahan and CJ Sutherland)? On Friday, June 1, at the Tsongas Center, 239 members of the TMHS Class of 2012 …

Sometimes the best photographers we have are the Tewksbury Patch readers themselves. Several of our readers sent in photos they took on Memorial Day during the local events and we wanted to share them. Do you have some photos from the Memorial Day Service, the parade or maybe just your backyard barbecue? Upload them to our gallery and share them with other Tewksbury Patch readers.

Several former Boston Bruins, including Terry O'Reilly and Rick Middleton, visited the Breakaway Ice Center in Tewksbury earlier this month for a benefit hockey game. The event raised money for the Claddagh Fund, a fund established in 2009 by Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys. Middleton and O'Reilly served as guest players on one of the teams, while Bruins alums Bob Sweeney and Jay Miller skated for the opposition. Casey served as guest coach for one squad while current Bruin Shawn Thornton coached the other team. The event was sponsored by Basement Systems of Plaistow, NH. Editor Bill Gilman…

Several hundred residents gathered at the Tewksbury Cemetery on Monday, as those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country, in a somber Memorial Day service. Many of those who spoke at the service, including several local and state political leaders, spoke of the need to do more for veterans who return home from active duty, including health and psychological care, housing and jobs. But it was the speech by State Police Trooper and Army Sfc. Kenneth Lombardi that had those in attendance locked onto every word and had some wiping away tears. Lombardi shared personal stories …

The glitz, the glamour, the tradition. The 2012 Tewksbury High Promenade served as the perfect build-up to the prom, as paparazzi made up of family, friends and media gave dozens of young couples their moment in the spotlight. Please add your photos from the event to those taken by Editor Bill Gilman.

Thousands of people lined Route 38 on Monday for the annual Memorial Day Parade. The event featured eight bands, floats, historic re-enactors, hundreds of children, political leaders and, oddly, dozens of water balloons. Editor Bill Gilman was on hand and captured these images of the pageantry.

For the second year in a row, the Lowell Assembly of God Church on Andover Street has paid tribute to the men and women who have been killed serving their country by placing 5,000 American flags on their lawn.

Hope Splaine and Cameron Legvold, 6th grade students at the Ryan School, earned a terrific reward for winning top honors in the Tewksbury Fire Department S.A.F.E. Essay contest. Rather than riding to school on the bus or with their parents, Hope and Cameron had the chance to ride aboard a Tewksbury Fire Engine. Cheered on by friends, teachers and relatives, Hoper and Cameron got the full celebrity treatment as they arrived at the school. Editor Bill Gilman was onhand to capture these images.

On Sunday, May 5th, Coach Peter Molloy and the Tewksbury Boys' and Girls' track and cross country teams hosted the 2012 "Run A Pleasant Mile". They held a kids 1 mile run as well as a 5k to raise funds for the track and cross country programs. 28 kids ages 5-12 ran in the 1 mile race around the school. 108 people ran the 5k, ages 7-69. Eric Beauchesne from Chelmsford came in first overall men with a time of 17.30, and Amy Molloy, with a time of 20.58 was the first overall women.

A 5K run/walk road race was held Saturday morning to benefit T.H.E. Farm. James Sullivan won the race with a time of 20:51.

A golfball drop fundraiser was held at T.H.E. Farm Saturday morning. Numbered golf balls were sold and dropped from a helicopter owned and flown by Tewksbury Country Club owner Marc Ginsburg. The ball closest to the hole is declared the winner. This year, two balls landed in the hole. One of the first place winners, Les Nelson, is a T.H.E. Farm volunteer.

Sunday afternoon, Tewksbury Youth Baseball League teams had their team photos taken and marched in a parade in their honor. The parade went from the Ryan School on Pleasant Street to the Little League fields on East Street. 

In the animal kingdom, some beasts are the predators and some are the prey. And earlier this month, students in the 5th and 6th grades at the Ryan School had the chance to meet both, thanks to presentations by "Mr. Money." The program was sponsored by the Ryan School PAC. Editor Bill Gilman was onhand and captured these images of one of the presentations.

Dozens of members of the Lowell Assembly of God lined Andover Street on April 6 to share the story and the meaning behind the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many held signs with messages like "Hope", "Healing", and "He Died For Us." Behind them were erected three crosses. According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified along with two thieves. One on his right and the other on his left. Four church volunteers took turns portraying Jesus on the middle cross. This is the second year the church has engaged in the Easter evangelistic outreach, aimed at getting people to think about the true …

Jayne Miller participated in her final School Committee meeting Wednesday night at the Wynn School. Miller opted not to seek re-election to the committee after accepting the positon of editor of the Town Crier newspaper. Fellow committee member Dennis Francis, Superintendent Dr. John O'Connor and Miller's daughter presented her with gifts to mark the occasion. Francis praised Miller for her edication and commitment during her tenure on the board and her particular efforts in the areas of specil education. Miller used the occasion as the opportunity to encourage more residents, especially …