LYNN — The 266 graduates of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute gathered at Manning Field on Friday at 9 a.m., with a relatively cool breeze still in the air. It didn’t take long for the temperature to soar into the 80s.
As the graduates used their programs as fans to cool themselves off, a series of speakers reinforced to them that life happens quickly, school is easy compared to the challenges they’ll face going forward, and they’re going to have to resolve not to let setbacks and negativity doom their dreams.
Valedictorian Krystian Callor told the class that its journey is just beginning — a theme repeated several times over the course of the morning.
What the class has done so far, Callor said, “only represents three chapters in our life story. Turn the page, and it’s blank.”
Callor wrapped up his speech by invoking an often-used quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, which seemed to sum up the themes of the day.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why they call it ‘the present,’” he quoted.
Mayor Jared Nicholson also spoke, and echoed the idea that graduation does not represent completion.
“This is the beginning,” he said. “Not the end.”
“I feel confident in saying that you are all leaders,” Nicholson added. “All Lynn Public Schools graduates are leaders. We worked together through a pandemic, and we all found new ways to learn.”
Senior Class President Shirlie Arreaga spoke of her mother, “who took a big risk coming to the United States 20 years ago because she thought we could have a better life.
“I wear the cap and gown today for my parents, as they never had a chance to wear one,” she said.
“These have been four years we won’t forget,” she added. “We are all here to celebrate new beginnings. Our world is in our hands.”
Salutatorian Autumn Domey, in her address, said that Tech was a place where she “was able to try many different paths and try to find out what was right for me.”
A few of the speakers recounted struggles along the road to graduation — a theme that principal speaker Mikki Wilson, chief energy officer of Dot Connector Consulting of Lynn, also reinforced.
Wilson, a Tech graduate, said the graduating students have the power to live their lives on their own terms.
However, Wilson, whose company “solves real problems for real entrepreneurs,” warned the class there would be moments that seem difficult to overcome.
“When I graduated, I left the school and the minute I was outside, my parents patted me on the back and said ‘congratulations,’ and went back to work,” Wilson said.
For students who may feel neglected on such a momentous occasion, Wilson said, “We are here, and we are proud of you.”
She also shared some advice her father gave her that has served her well over the years.
“Be a good person, do the right thing, and take care of business,” she said.
“You are now the CEO of your own life. There is purpose in your attention,” Wilson added. “Go out and make your mark in the world. Go get ’em, Tigers.”
