LYNNFIELD — The high school said goodbye to the class of 2023 in a graduation ceremony at the stadium field Friday night.
Ava Zalvan was the last of 135 graduates to receive a diploma and heartfelt handshakes from School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg and Superintendent Kristen Vogel. The graduates walked off the stage to cheers and enthusiastic applause.
But Zalvan wasn’t the last “graduate” to be applauded. That reception and a standing ovation were reserved for the recipient of what Vogel called “one last diploma” — Principal Robert Cleary, who is retiring at the end of the month after 31 years in Lynnfield, 21 of them as an administrator.
“That was very touching and super nice,” Cleary said after the ceremony. “This is supposed to be about the kids. This is supposed to be their time. But obviously this has been a special place and I’ve had a wonderful time here, so that was really nice.”
The ceremony was short and sweet, having been moved up an hour to dodge advancing thunderstorms and heavy rain that had been predicted in the area.
Cleary, a Lynnfield High alum, opened the ceremony by saying that while the school celebrated individual achievement the night before at Awards Night, Friday’s ceremony was to celebrate the class of 2023’s final group achievement, graduation.
He noted that the class has more than 40 students with a GPA of 4.0 or higher, but class achievement goes well beyond academics.
“The class of 2023 is outstanding,” Cleary said. “They are certainly talented and driven. But I can honestly say that this is one of the nicest classes that I’ve ever had. Maybe it’s because we are all walking out the door together, but I have to admit that the class of 2023 will always hold a place in my heart.”
He thanked the class for “their contributions to LHS, and always making my job as principal a little bit easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.”
Student Council President Genna Gioioso recalled her first day as a freshman, when she was “too terrified to even look a senior in the eye.”
“The last thing I would have believed is that I would become student council president and be tasked with making this speech tonight,” said Gioioso. “This really highlights how Lynnfield fosters a supportive environment that encourages all students to venture outside of their comfort zones.”
Valedictorian Madison Daigle gave a thoughtful nod to Cleary.
“Mr. Cleary, I am sure I speak for my classmates when I say I am so grateful to be a part of this graduating class, because I cannot imagine Lynnfield High School without your presence,” she said. “We wish you the best in retirement and thank you for making Lynnfield High School an academic, but still enjoyable and safe, environment for us all.”
Daigle wrapped up her remarks by challenging her classmates “to use this period of change to reflect on where you want to dedicate your time, and not just force yourself to do something because you always have.”
Class President Sahil Akhter called for a round of applause for Cleary for being the “foundation of LHS.”
“I speak on behalf of everyone here today, that we will miss you dearly and your impact on this school has not gone unnoticed,” he said.
He also asked for a moment of silence in memory of Sonny Tropeano, an elementary-school classmate of many of the graduates, who died in 2015 from a rare form of cancer.
“It is not right for me to make this speech without mentioning one special person,” Akhter said. “Let’s all take a moment of silence to remember our dear friend and classmate, Sonny Tropeano. It is crazy to think that it has already been almost eight years since he passed, but not a day has gone by where I have not thought about him. I know he is looking down on all of us today with a smile on his face.”
Akhter said he hopes the futures of the new graduates “hold endless possibilities and limitless success.”
“As we embark on this new chapter, let us go forth with a sense of purpose, knowing that we have the power to shape our own destinies and make a difference in the world,” he said. “Finally, thank you for granting me the privilege to call you all my friends.”
