LYNN- Fecteau-Leary Principal Maura Durgin-Scully presented 33 diplomas Thursday morning to the graduating class of 2022.
Pharell Williams’ “Happy” blared from a PA system on Manning Field as family members gathered and took their seats. When “Pomp and Circumstance” came on, the 33 graduating students walked down the field. As their parents applauded, a “congrats grad” balloon flew loose into an overcast sky.
Durgin-Scully kicked off the ceremony with opening remarks, thanking the staff, school committee, and families of graduates. Then, Deputy Superintendent Deb Ruggiero delivered a speech in which she said that she was impressed by the strength and determination that the class showed in their years as alternative high school students.
“Today represents the challenging work you have completed during your time in school. Your path to the stage this morning has been quite different than a lot of students graduating this week. As a student at Fecteau-Leary high school, you have taken the road less traveled. Many of you have faced situations that several of your classmates could not comprehend, but, in the end, you have been able to meet your challenges and achieve,” Ruggiero said. “When I think about who our Fecteau-Leary students are, I see you as the strongest and most resilient students in Lynn.”
Before Ruggiero brought Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler to the mic, guidance counselor Erica Campbell announced that graduate Paloma Camacho Almanzar earned a four-year John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for her high academic achievement on her MCAS exams.
Tutwiler wished Mayor Jared Nicholson a fast recovery from COVID and said that he was speaking on the mayor’s behalf. Then, Tutwiler shared his “three be” formula for speech making with the class and invited them to create their own formulas for life.
“For those of you who are unfamiliar, my ‘three be’ formula is: ‘be good, be brief, and then be seated.’ Those are my three be’s, they are always the framework around which I build public speaking engagement, no matter the topic, no matter the audience. Allow me to challenge you today to develop your own three be formula. Not for speech making, but for your lives beyond high school,” Tutwiler said. “Develop a set of principles easy to keep front-of-mind to reflect on that are always the framework around which to build your life as active contributory citizens, your own fail-safe formula.”
After the graduates received their diplomas, Durgin-Scully announced that foreign language teacher Griselda Mercedes would be leaving to pursue work as a flight attendant. She also gave one final charge to the graduates, concluding the ceremony.
“I must commend you for getting here today. It’s already difficult in itself to finish high school, but some of you have faced the loss of loved ones to COVID, some of you, your homes, some of your parents have had no employment or wages. Still, you attended school while working full-time and supporting not only yourselves, in many cases, but your family emotionally and financially,” Durgin-Scully said. “Graduation is always my favorite day of the year, but this year seems especially fantastic, because you, the class of ‘22, despite all the trials and tribulations of the past 28 months, managed to get to the finish line.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected].
