ECSTATIC Lynnfield High School graduates toss their mortarboards in the air at the conclusion of commencement exercises for the Class of 2024 on May 31. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Under clear blue skies and with a cool breeze in the air, the Lynnfield High School Class of 2024 stepped into a bright future during the 65th commencement ceremony at Pioneer Stadium on May 31.
After the 149 graduates walked onto Pioneer Stadium while “Pomp and Circumstance” was played over the PA system, Chamber Singers senior members Janhavi Joglekar and Viola Wertz sang a moving rendition of the “National Anthem.”
LHS Principal Tricia Puglisi welcomed the 149 graduates, their families, friends, school officials, faculty and staff to the 65th graduation ceremony.
“To the extraordinary graduates of 2024, today marks the culmination of your years of hard work, determination and resilience,” said Puglisi. “Each one of you has embarked on a journey that has tested your abilities, challenged your limits and shaped you into the exceptional individuals you are today.”
“Learn from our experiences”
Student Council President Keely Briggs thanked Puglisi, LHS Assistant Principal Mike McLeod, teachers, staff, Interim Superintendent Tom Geary and the School Committee for supporting the Class of 2024. She also congratulated the 149 graduates for not only getting it to the finish line of their high school careers, but also making “countless memories” along the way.
“Looking back at our time here, we all have had many different experiences, however, I’m 100 percent certain we shared one thing in common: We’ve all failed,” said Briggs. “We all failed or struggled at some point over these past four years, whether it was a test, a sport or hobby, or maybe even a relationship. In the moment, failing can be very difficult. We may feel disappointed in ourselves for not doing as well as we thought we would, or for not being able to make something work or last. But by sitting here today, waiting for our high school diplomas, we are living proof of the fact that failure is not the end, but an opportunity. An opportunity to turn a failure into a lesson, to adapt and to persevere.”
Briggs said all of the graduates are leaving LHS as a “different person” than when they first walked into the high school as freshmen.
“That’s the beauty of growing up,” said Briggs. “Every day, our decisions make us the people we are and the people we will be in the coming years. You may fall. You may fail. You will certainly make mistakes. But it is through the process of picking yourself up and learning from past experiences that you morph into the person you want to be.”
Briggs encouraged the graduates not to compare themselves to other people because each member of the Class of 2024 is “unique.”
“Throughout these four years, I have come to the realization that as an individual, it is not necessarily our standing of who is the ‘best’ or the ‘worst’ that matters, but it is what we bring to the table that makes us special, and stand out from the rest,” said Briggs. “Ultimately, as we enter into this next stage of our lives, facing failures, obstacles and successes alike, I hope we continue to learn from our experiences and evolve into the people we are meant to be. I ask that wherever you will be in these next few years, you take in every second of life with presence, gratitude and enjoyment. Embrace change, and continuously have the courage to try no matter how uncertain life may seem. I hope we celebrate the little moments as well as the big ones, and appreciate ourselves and the unique paths that we are all on.”
“Be generous”
LHS Valedictorian Russell Kasdon said he learned three themes over the course of his four years at LHS, including “taking initiative.”
“High school started virtual for all of us, and cameras were often off during classes,” said Kasdon while recalling the graduates’ freshmen year. “This presented a unique challenge — no one will make you listen when the cameras are off. Now, I am not saying I never played video games during class, but this was our first chance to take control of our learning, and our quality of education. This will continue for the rest of our lives, as we are in control of our college experiences and life after college.”
Kasdon said the second theme he learned was “generosity and collaboration.”
“Getting through school and challenging classes would never have been possible without the help of amazing friends, teachers, teammates and coaches,” said Kasdon. “No matter who you are, managing every challenge thrown your way is quite daunting, so friends who are always there to help are indispensable. Being part of a team is crucial to success, but this doesn’t just refer to sports teams, but instead could be a theater group, a club or just a close group of friends. Within a group, others are constantly there to motivate you, and you reciprocate by encouraging them in return. A team win is far more satisfying than an individual success because you can share the joy. But what about failures? As somebody with social anxiety, I can understand the fear of failing in front of a team, but I promise you, when you inevitably hit a roadblock, your friends and teammates are always there to pick you up.”
In addition to Kasdon learning the third theme that “taking chances is vital to success and bettering yourself,” he said the “most challenging thing” he learned in high school was “finding balance.”
“I have had to put in a lot of effort to get here and build a strong work ethic, but there are times when I wish I could have balanced my time a little differently,” said Kasdon. “Spending time with friends and for yourself can be just as important as spending time on work. Working hard is essential, but so is invaluable time with friends, family and for your interests. I’m not suggesting that you should avoid giving your best in studies and work, but sacrificing time with friends for a perfect grade is not the right path either. I ask that you be open to change, take initiative and be generous. I ask that you live your best life, respect yourself and appreciate the diverse paths others have taken. I understand this is a big request, but all of you here today have triumphed to reach this point, and all have the power to do this.”
“A uniquely strong bond”
While Senior Class President Max Halsey said graduation is a “hopeful moment,” he also felt a “sense of sadness” as the Class of 2024 where about to go their separate ways.
“As a class, we have weathered many storms together both as a group and as individuals,” said Halsey. “Starting with the uncertainty of COVID and school closures and ending with normality as if nothing ever happened. And maybe because of this, our class has formed a uniquely strong bond. While not everybody is in the same friend group or shares the same interests or beliefs or ideas, I certainly believe that our class has a special ability to come together.”
Halsey said the Class of 2024 was able to “form a profound connection” while attending Lynnfield Public Schools.
“And the reason I am sad today is for losing this sense of unity,” said Halsey. “But at the same time, this unity also brings me hope for every single one of us in this graduating class because if we were able to form such strong bonds as a group forced together under uncertain conditions, I know that each one of us will be able to find success in our pursuits.”
Halsey thanked his and the other graduates’ families, friends and the school system’s teachers, staff and administrators for supporting them over the past 13 years. He also had one final message for the Class of 2024.
“If there is one thing I want everyone here to take away from this, as you go off to college, work or wherever you end up, don’t forget the friends that you made here,” said Halsey. “Check in once in a while, and stay in touch because to quote Jesse Owens, ‘Awards become corroded. Friends gather no dust.’”
End of an era
After Interim Superintendent Tom Geary certified the LHS Class of 2024, he and School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio presented diplomas to the 149 graduates with the assistance of Puglisi, McLeod and class advisors Christine Hebert and Morgan Rapacki.
“It is my pleasure and honor to present to you the Lynnfield High School Class of 2024,” said Geary. “Congratulations.”
After the graduates received their diplomas and Halsey asked them to move their tassels from the right to the left, the Class of 2024 threw their mortarboards in the air, officially marking the end of their Lynnfield High School careers.
