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When Class Speaker Mara Burke called the Westford Academy Class of 2017 “that class,” in her presentation overlooking a sea of classmates, June 2, a chuckle among family members could be heard.
The students apparently had beat their own drum since middle school, but brought a great deal of pride to the school, as well, according to Burke.
“Before we even entered high school, we acquired the label, ‘that class,’” she said, listing a number of events that made the group notorious to educators and parents.
Westford’s 396 seniors were transforming into young adults during the town’s traditional graduation ceremony on the Trustees Field at Alumni Stadium, where many of the school’s trustees were in attendance.
In her speech, Burke pointed to the many achievements members of the class had accomplished, including the well known fundraising efforts of three seniors who formed the non-profit group, “Peace, Love, Cupcakes,” and in the blink of an eye Burke reframed the Class of 2017’s reputation from notorious to humane.
Over the four years of high school, Lauren Flynn, Olivia Overington, and Dorothy Goodwin raised $28,000 to build two new community wells in Senegal under the auspices of the African Well Fund.
“If that makes us ‘that class,’ then I’m glad to be a part of it,” said Burke, who along with Mark Dunne was voted the 12th grade’s “most worthy member.”
Three members of “that class” will enter the military. Dariel Carrasco will join the Army National Guard, Melissa Mead, the Army Reserves, and Brendan Hull, the Marines, according to the WA Ghostwriter.
Three white balloons and one pink were released to the sky in honor of the late Erika Gould who would have graduated June 2. Gould died at age 7 of a brain tumor.
Burke likened the 2017 class members’ four-year journey to a roller coaster ride, noting a new set of roller cars was at the gate waiting for the graduates to make a choice.
“While we can’t all be Martin Luther King Jr.,” she said, “we can all make a difference.”
Then Burke called upon her classmates who spent Memorial Day weekend together in Orlando, Florida at Disney World, to spin their arms in the air as if on a roller coaster ride.
Burke asked retiring WA dean, Michael Parent, to join her in the exercise at the podium before paying him a tribute.
“And finally, to the great Mr. Parent,” said Burke, “we are grateful you chose our class to be your last.”
The dean, as well as Kevin Regan, retiring principal of the Day Elementary School, received recognition and praise from Superintendent Everett V. Olsen, Principal James Antonelli, and WA Trustee Geoffrey Hall who said his father, Albert “Skippy” Hall, also a WA trustee, had announced the retirement in 1937 of William C. Roudenbush, a 25-year WA Principal. Parent had been a WA administrator since 1982.
“Tonight I’m announcing your retirement,” said Hall, as he reminded the hundreds of students, parents and family members that continuity connects the past to the present.
Regan served the Westford School District for 38 years.
Trustees
WA Trustee Herb Cogliano addressed the numerous scholarships given away.
“This year, approximately $100,000 in scholarships were awarded,” said Cogliano.
Antonelli opened the ceremony with a Tom Brady analogy to underscore the potency of love and why employing it can lead to achievement. The Patriots quarterback and his teammates overcame a 25-point deficit to win 34-28 during the 2017 Super Bowl game against the Atlanta Falcons, said Antonelli. Some thought Brady had been motivated to win by a desire for revenge toward National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, who had suspended Brady from four football games in a controversy that has come to be known as Deflategate. Accused of deflating footballs during a 2014-15 playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, Brady maintained his innocence.
“It turns out he wanted to win the game for his ailing mother,” said Antonelli, who referenced a Feb. 6 commentary written by Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen. “There’s something much sweeter than revenge. It’s called love,” Antonelli said.
Olsen spoke about “core values” of honesty, integrity, kindness and caring.
“Life is all about relationships, connecting and caring,” he said.
But then Olsen reminded the graduates to advance a theme he has established throughout the school system and ingrained in Westford students.
“Always look to innovate,” he said, “be creative and make your mark in life.”
Two students who are likely to follow that advice were valedictorian Vennela Mannava, bound for the University of Chicago in Illinois, and salutatorian Amanda Sijiao Li, who will attend the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Class President Daniel Koerner carried on a theme that stressed the importance of love in his presentation.
“Of all the lessons I’ve learned here, the most important thing I’ve learned is perspective,” he said. “Make sure you tell the people you care about, you love them. Tell them everyday.”
Then reminding his classmates to enjoy life by “leaving it on the dance floor,” Koerner said, “Mr. Antonelli, I present to you the Class of 2017.”
UPDATE on 6/9/2017 – The name of Geoffrey Hall’s father was added to this story and James Antonelli’s speech was attributed.
