LYNN — St. Mary’s hosted its 140th commencement ceremony on Thursday night in the school’s Mosakowski Gardens.
Ninety-three seniors received their diplomas during the first commencement ceremony the school has held outside, due to the pandemic.
In a year like no other, Head of School Dr. John F. Dolan acknowledged the hard work of the students and teachers, which allowed the administration to hold in-person classes all year.
“If there was one group that I am so happy and so proud to get to experience, it is the Class of 2021,” Dolan said. “Class of ‘21, you deserve it, you have earned it and we are so proud of what you have achieved.”
Dolan led off the ceremony by awarding a formal diploma to former St. Mary’s student Joe Farrell. Farrell didn’t receive his official diploma years ago, due to a Latin grade, but since then has been inducted into the St. Mary’s Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame and served as the assistant athletic director.
“Joe has demonstrated that his support for educating students and providing extracurricular opportunities for young people is a passion,” Dolan said.
Farrell added to the more than 13,000 alumni of St. Mary’s, with another 93 added Thursday night.
Class of 2021 Salutatorian Emily Monteiro Santos wished her class luck in their next endeavors, and said each senior has the power to leave the world a better place.
“Move into your careers, whether it be medicine, teaching, law or all the other careers represented by us today, and never forget to utilize your tools for the bettering of society,” Santos said. “Whether you’re passionate about equal rights, healthcare reform, environmental problems or any other issue that we face in society today, don’t stop adding to your toolbox. Remember your tools are only as good as what you do with them.”
Valedictorian Michelle Alison Callahan encouraged her classmates to set goals, but reminded them that it is OK to make mistakes and learn from them, because that shows strength.
“Each individual has so much more fortitude than they can ever imagine,” Callahan said. “Going forward, we all need to know that it is OK to make mistakes, to do worse on something than we want, and that lessons are learned through mistakes. Imperfection is one of the many parts of the journey and without it, you miss out on so many experiences.”
Callahan said that her class’ four years at St. Mary’s were a small glance at what they could achieve in the future, adding that “the best is yet to come.”
Guest speaker and member of the St. Mary’s Class of 1971 Joan Luise Hill addressed the graduating class and said that everyone in the audience has witnessed miracles over the past year.
Between a vaccine being made in less than a year and finishing school during a pandemic, Hill prided the Class of 2021 on its resilience and determination.
“What a year. Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief that we can not only see the finish line, but you guys have finished the race,” Hill said. “We can all be miracles for each other.”
Hill encouraged the graduating class to bring their own gifts to the world, and said they are worthy enough and strong enough to make a difference in the world.
“When you dream, give it your all,” Hill said. “Don’t dream small because if you think it, you can be it.”
St. Mary’s was one of the few schools in the state that held in-person learning for the entire year, which the Board of Trustees Chair William S. Mosakowski classified as making history.
“You came to school throughout the year, you competed and you spent your senior year together,” Mosakowski said. “Thank you for your resilience, your flexibility, your durability during this year, and for your discipline and your comradery through a pandemic.”
Mosakowski told the graduates to seek a meaningful and happy life, saying “when you give happiness, you get it back.”
The St. Mary’s Class of 2021 ended the ceremony with their annual cap throwing, as their faculty wished them the best of luck.
“Be yourself,” Hill said. “Yes, everyone else is already taken.”
