The sun finally broke through the clouds Sunday afternoon to greet the new graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School as they processed, smiling and holding hands, into a tie-dye-swathed tent. Nine strong, the class of 2012 — Erica Bartlett, Emma Bleiler, Cherilla “Coco” Brown, Aedan Greene, Elias Brown, Gavin Harrer, Anna “Zen” Hughes, Meagan McDonough and Jake Meegan — filed onto the stage to Neil Young’s Old Man, sporting wreaths of blue flowers and clothing of their choice.

In a candid conversation, Vineyarders this week discussed the varied and sometimes contradictory issues facing Islanders who are minorities: being teased or ignored, facing low expectations or having suspicion cast on achievements, having to choose between their culture and fitting in with the mainstream.

Oliver Filley has spent the last few months of his high school career focused on designing and making kite boards, a course of study that blends his passion with education and his future plans.

Oliver is one of 12 Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School seniors to complete senior projects this year, in which students devote three class blocks during a semester to a project that aligns with their interests. This year, senior projects ranged from art and music to nutrition and agriculture.

Baseball and boys’ lacrosse advanced to the postseason this week, joining both tennis teams and girls’ lacrosse in the state tournament. Softball remains in the hunt for a tournament spot with two games yet to play.

Baseball

The team secured its first postseason berth in 10 years with a 9-1 win over Nantucket on Saturday. After a win over Chatham on Wednesday, they moved to an 11-7 (4-4 in the EAC) season record with one remaining game still scheduled for today.

Two Vineyard teams, boys’ tennis and girls’ lacrosse, clinched Eastern Athletic Conference titles this week. Both are undefeated in league play this season, and boys’ tennis has not lost at all.

Softball plays three home games this week, taking on Advanced Math and Science Charter School in a double header tomorrow (play begins at 11:30 a.m.), Randolph on Monday at 3:15 p.m., and Chatham on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.

it was all about sparkles at the high school junior prom Saturday: the sequins on prom gowns, the silver stars hanging in the Edgartown Yacht Club, the sun hitting the water in Edgartown Harbor, the excitement of the juniors as they gathered for their big night.

Students walked into Yacht Club wearing their tuxes and gowns — purple was a popular color, and sequins were abundant — past a crowd of parental paparazzi snapping pictures and squid fishermen on the pier.