SAUGUS — In the last School Committee meeting held before the Class of 2024’s graduation from Saugus High School, committee members offered the seniors their well wishes, advice, and congratulations.
“I’d like to thank everybody for their hard work and accomplishments, and wish the seniors well,” Committee member John Hatch said. “This is a great, great new page that they’re turning, and an exciting adventure that they’ll be going into… They should know that they have so much support here, and always will.”
Committee member Stephanie Mastrocola told the soon-to-be graduates that when they walk out of the doors of Saugus High School, they should circle back and reflect on the journey that made them who they are and, most importantly, who they will become.
“I encourage you to be kind, but most of all, respectful. A good leader appreciates others and can agree to disagree. Success will always follow you if your heart and mind remains open. Use your voice wisely, and remain of good character. Whether you’re college-bound, headed into the workforce, or joining the military, always be proud of who you are,” Mastrocola said. “I’ve spoken to many of the students, and every time I walk away, it makes me proud to sit up here and represent them. Be proud to be a Saugus Sachem, and congratulations on your journey.”
Vice Chair Thomas Whittredge joked that Mastrocola stole his speech, and offered a piece of advice to the graduating class.
“Stay off social media,” Whittredge said. “You don’t need strangers’ approval for anything that you do in life.”
Committee member Ryan Fisher also extended his congratulations to the seniors. Fisher said that although he is impressed by the school’s senior class each year, this one specifically had “really taken lemons and made them into lemonade” over the last several years with “everything that’s been going on.”
“I definitely feel like this class… has shown just a lot of great adaptation. Any time something knocked them down, they turned it into a plus,” Fisher said. “I think they have life skills that people two, three, four times their age don’t have, so their future’s very bright.”
Superintendent Michael Hashem also shared his congratulations to the graduating seniors for “everything they achieved and everything they overcame.”
The Class of 2024 is set to graduate on May 31.
