LYNN — The friends and family of 270 graduating students at Lynn Tech celebrated their commencement at a ceremony at Manning Field on Monday afternoon.
For some of the students, it was “a very bittersweet feeling,” which was how Amaya Williams described what she experiencing emotionally as she lined up for the ceremony.
“I’ll never see half of these people again, but I’m also happy because I’m moving on with my life,” Williams said.
With Salutatorian Ryan Aguilar serving as master of ceremonies, the speakers congratulated the graduating students on their achievements.
“I would like to begin by acknowledging those of you who spent five years with us,” Principal Fred Gallo said, referring to the discovery class that started as eighth graders at Lynn Tech. “Here you are five years later as our first discovery students to graduate as seniors.”
The ceremony’s commencement speaker was Jae Holland, a member of Lynn Tech’s Class of 1999 who is the director of fan services and entertainment for the Boston Red Sox.
Holland reminded the students about the importance of networking in his speech and encouraged them to never give up on their dreams.
“Everything I have done in my adult life has come through or by way of serendipity,” Holland said.
Right before the diplomas were handed out, Holland advised all of the graduating students to give back to the school’s future graduating classes. Then, he led by example and surprised all of them by giving each of the graduating students two tickets for a Red Sox game on Monday, June 24.
