ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Jennifer Lopez cheers on her fellow graduates as they parade into the field house at graduation.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — Graduates of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute received a rousing send off Thursday as they grabbed their diplomas and headed into the next chapter of their lives.
“No one can tell us what lies ahead,” said graduate Ashley Pimentel. “But there is one thing I am sure of: high school graduation is just the beginning of the long journey that lies ahead.”
The class valedictorian was one of 179 graduates who took center stage before an excited audience in the school’s gym.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy kicked off the afternoon with a congratulatory message of hope and inspiration.
“I wish everybody congratulations and much success on your future whether you are going on to higher education, joining the military, the workforce or taking time to figure out your next step,” she said. “I wish you much happiness on behalf of the city of Lynn.”
Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham said high school graduates earn more than $500,000 more over a lifetime than those who fail to complete school.
She invoked the name of Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League.
“Gretzky was right when he said, ‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take,’ so take your shots and don’t be afraid to try,” she said.
Principal Robert Buontempo Jr., gave graduates three pieces of advice: take chances; use your words to bless yourself and others; and wished they always be surrounded by people who love them.
“Don’t listen to doubting voices,” he said. “The saying is true that doubt has destroyed more dreams than failure.”
Salutatorian Taylor Seger said the day everyone has worked towards is here.
“I’m still in shock graduation day has arrived,” she said. “Look at us now, four years gone in a blink of an eye. We are going our separate ways, whether attending college in the fall, joining the armed forces, or going straight into a trade. Some of us will become nurses, pharmacists, electricians and much more. No matter what we do, we can say Lynn Tech helped us in figuring it all out.”
Marissa Colon, class president, who received the loudest applause, said Tech students gave back to the community during their four years at the high school.
“We raised more than $9,000 for My Brother’s Table,” she said. “We also helped victims of the New Year’s Day fire on West Baltimore Street, and honored the first responders of 9/11.”
In his commencement address, state Rep. Brendan Crighton drew laughs at his acknowledgment that he is the least tech-savvy person of anyone at the ceremony.
The Lynn Democrat also drew a few tears when after introducing his parents and praising them for always being there for him, he asked graduates to rise and turn to the parents, grandparents, siblings, faculty, and friends and thank them for their encouragement.
“Their support has helped you get where you are today,” he said.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.