Published June 10, 2020

SENIOR Emily Vath was full of excitement after receiving her diploma during Lynnfield High School’s 61st graduation ceremony on June 5. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — A unique, resilient, gracious and impressive Lynnfield High School Class of 2020 officially soared into the future on Friday, June 5.

Lynnfield High’s 61st graduation ceremony was historic and will be remembered for decades to come. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic, the high school was forced to hold a three-hour drive-thru graduation ceremony because outdoor graduations are prohibited until mid-July. A second ceremony is tentatively being planned for Friday, July 24.

The 153 graduates’ families were required to drive around LHS and had to drop off the graduates at the corner of Pioneer Stadium near the snack shack. The graduates, who wore face masks due to the pandemic, walked over to a stage located at the football field’s end zone in order to receive their diploma.

Parents were allowed to stand near the fence in order to take a picture of their child. Similar to previous years, local photographers Bob and Lauri Priestley took complimentary photos of the graduates, including their daughter Harlee.

A committed class

Student Council President Emma Nardone welcomed the 153 graduates, their families and school officials to the ceremony. She thanked Superintendent Jane Tremblay, High School Principal Bob Cleary and High School Assistant Principal Brian Bates for “working tirelessly” to make sure the Class of 2020 could be honored.

“Although I’m sure that none of us expected graduation to look quite like this, I think that I speak on behalf of all of the students when I say that we are truly grateful to be here, sharing this moment with our parents, our siblings and the people we have spent the past 12 years of our lives with,” said Nardone.

Nardone said the graduates’ parents “are the reason we here today.” She said the Class of 2020 is comprised of “a group of students who are committed to each other and the world.”

“We are gathered here not only to reminisce, but to look to the future,” said Nardone. “Although we will always reflect on our time at Lynnfield with fondness, we must remember that we are celebrating more than the conclusion to our high school careers. We are celebrating the dedication that has brought us here, the same dedication that will propel us forward into a new and exciting beginning. Not only are we capable of embarking on this journey, we are prepared to thrive due to the ideals of compassion and curiosity that were fostered throughout our time at Lynnfield.”

Nardone said, “Graduating from high school is the first step into an uncertain future.”

“Instead of fearing this uncertainty, we should embrace it,” she said.

After Nardone concluded her speech, all of the cars in the procession started honking their horns in order to recognize her.

A unique class

LHS SENIOR Lauren Kustka proudly displays her diploma during graduation exercises on June 5.

Principal Bob Cleary said referring to the Class of 2020 as unique “would be an understatement.”

“The Class of 2020 is unique in their personality and their character, and unique in their experience,” said Cleary. “I’m sure we are all sick and tired of hearing about these unprecedented times and how much you have lost or missed out on, so I would like to ask you to look at this situation from a different perspective. Don’t look at this from the perspective of what you lost. Look at this from the perspective of what you have gained. This unique experience has given you a unique opportunity.”

Cleary recalled that previous LHS graduates have talked about “writing a new chapter” in their stories during past ceremonies. He said the Class of 2020 is in a different situation.

“You are in a position that no one else has ever been in before,” said Cleary. “No one has ever experienced what you have just gone through. You truly have that blank page, that clean slate. And while some of you might find that daunting, I would ask that you change your perspective and see this not as a daunting burden, but as an exciting gift. You have an opportunity to really make things happen and be an agent of change. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you, but now more than ever with everything that is going on in this world, the future of our world is truly in your hands. You get to shape it. You get to write the story. And while some people might be a little worried about that thought, I am very confident that the Lynnfield High School Class of 2020 is going to do an awesome job at being a force that steers us in a positive direction and writes a better story.”

In closing, Cleary said it has been “an honor and a privilege” serving as the Class of 2020’s principal. He also thanked the graduates’ parents, educators, local officials and the entire community for helping them “reach their potential.”

A resilient class

Valedictorian Lexi Allain thanked “everyone who made this graduation possible despite these unorthodox circumstances.”

“This senior class is so appreciative of your efforts trying to make the most out of this situation,” said Allain. “You did not give up on making this week special, and on behalf of all of us, thank you.”

Allain thanked the graduates’ families and the school system’s educators for the support they have provided over the years. While Allain said she has learned “numerous lessons” in and out of the classroom, she said, “I can confidently say I have grown the most these past three months.”

“Without being in school, we have gained something not even a common curriculum can teach us,” said Allain. “We have learned not to take any moment or any person for granted. We are enlightened at the idea that nothing in life is guaranteed, and no matter how much you plan or prepare for a moment, it just might never happen the way you expect. We can spend the rest of our lives living in the past, wondering how our senior year would have been or resenting those who do get to enjoy those activities. But the reality is, the Class of 2020 has something special: Resilience.”

Allain said “this tragic whirlwind of a time” has taught her and the rest of the graduates to “live each day with gratitude.”

“Be grateful to be able to wake up at 6 a.m. every day,” said Allain. “Be grateful to have a place that makes saying goodbye so gut wrenching. Be grateful to be able to go to the store and have a full aisle of toilet paper. In a time where we all question why us or why did we deserve this, we must be grateful for this opportunity to explore life lessons as we prepare for this next chapter in our lives.”

After Allain concluded her remarks, the ceremony’s attendees honked their cars’ horns in order to recognize her.

An impressive class

Senior Class President Megan Battaglia said the Class of 2020 has grown up quite a bit since they first met each other when they were in fifth grade at Lynnfield Middle School.

“I know I’m biased, but I think our student body is pretty impressive,” said Battaglia. “In our grade, we have a YouTube sensation, a first-generation high school graduate, seven college committed athletes, a self-made musician, two sets of twins, a set of triplets and a military enlistee to name a few. It is our will to succeed that has allowed us to break numerous school records in sports, push the boundaries in the arts and continue to strive academically as we change the world around us.”

Battaglia thanked the Class of 2020’s parents, families, teachers, coaches and mentors for supporting them throughout their journey.

“It is the foundation you built that has allowed each of us to soar,” said Battaglia. “That is a debt that can never be repaid.”

In closing, Battaglia thanked her fellow classmates for the support they have provided her over the past eight years.

“I am the happiest girl to be class president of a grade with a reputation of kindness and integrity,” said Battaglia. “I cannot thank each of you enough for making me a better person every day, and for the many everlasting laughs and memories we will share.”

Similar to Nardone and Allain’s speeches, the attendees honked their cars’ horns in order to recognize Battaglia.

Beyond proud

Superintendent Jane Tremblay said she has “tremendous respect” for the Class of 2020. While Tremblay said the Class of 2020 has learned a great deal of skills during their 13 years in Lynnfield Public Schools, she said everything they learned up until the closing of school buildings on March 12 falls “under the category of amateur hour.”

“It seems like overnight you were enrolled, without your approval, into a crash course and quickly mastered true personal sacrifice, disappointment and perseverance,” said Tremblay. “And you handled it with a maturity and a poise that has left me in awe and fiercely proud of each of you.”

Tremblay said the Class of 2020 represents “true grace, love and kindness, and so much of what is good in this world.”

“And this world needs you now more than you ever,” said Tremblay. “So go share your gifts. Be the change we need.”

In closing, Tremblay told the graduates she hopes they find love, peace and laughter in their lives.

Diplomas awarded

After Tremblay concluded her speech, she, Cleary and class advisors Christine Hebert and Morgan Rapacki presented diplomas to the Class of 2020.

Once the 153 graduates received their diplomas, Cleary congratulated them for concluding their high school careers.

“Thank you to the Class of 2020 and their families for putting up with so much and coming out in such great force,” said Cleary.