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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 13 Valedictorian Address – Matthew Lanney “If it’s one thing I will remember about this class, it will be our sense of unity.” Editor’s Note: The following is the text of the address delivered by Senior Class Valedictorian Matthew Lanney at Saugus High School’s 149th Commencement Exercises last Saturday [July 25] at Stackpole Field. G ood morning, ever ybody, First, I would like to thank the Saugus School Committee, Superintendent David DeRuosi and Saugus High School Administration for their efforts in these unprecedented times. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Saugus High School Faculty for dealing with us for the past four years; you each deserve an award. Finally, I would like to thank my family, and specifically Grampy, who left us in 2013, but taught me the “fighting spirit” and is the single greatest inspiration in my life to this day. Semper Fi, Oorah. With the thank yous out of the way, now I will turn to all of you sitting right in front of me, the Class of 2020. Congratulations, everyone! We actually made it! We have so much to be proud of! First, I am going to be absolutely upfront and honest – I had no clue what I was going to say when I sat down to write this thing. I thought to myself, “What even is a valedictory address even supposed to be about? I’ll answer that question: It’s a farewell address. But is it supposed to be five easy steps with pictures on how to be academically successful like a WikiHow page? What am I, THE VALEDICTORIAN’S VIEW: In his address Valedictorian Matthew Lanney told his fellow graduates that they’re “the most special class of students that ever graced the halls of Saugus High School” – succeeding in the end, despite obstacles. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Google? And I also thought, “I have to not be the relatively boring and plain guy I typically am.” Now I’m going to be completely truthful – this was the hardest assignment I have ever been assigned – to leave a lasting impact on everybody, you, the graduates who are here. As I started to build an idea for this speech back in February, things started to change in the world. I started hearing about this virus, and then all of a sudden, the country was at a standstill. As global events progressed, seeing everyone’s reactions, I knew exactly the direction I wanted to go with this. Initially, I began writing this speech in April, and then by June, I was editing this speech during downtime at work; and I finally had a speech I was ok with, so bear with me. I always knew that our class was special. There was something about “us” from the beginning, but I could never really figure it out. Was it our kindness and inclusiveness? Was it our sense of humor? We just always seemed to blend together in such a satisfying way, but I seriously could never figure out. Why? It never came clear to me. And then the pandemic hit. What started off as a minor inconvenience quickly became the decimator of something that is so precious, significant and important to every American high school student – our senior year. These memories were painfully and mercilessly ripped away from us, and it hurts. I personally never felt a pain quite like this one, losing the things I had been looking forward to for the past four years. It is still hurting, and it most likely will continue to hurt. However, we must look at this now from the other end – we are the most special class of students that ever graced the halls of Saugus High School. When we could have just given up because it was the end of our year anyway, we continued to press on in remote learning. We still participated in a virtual spirit week. We were all in contact with each other, offering forms of support in any possible way. What does that say about a group of people? We united. And after analyzing this, I can now pinpoint what it was that was so special about us – our unity. We have had a strong sense of unity since the start of high school. Freshman year, we united to win the Penny Wars, a diffi cult feat for any freshman class. Sophomore year, we united in the new “Sophomore House,” where we all had to adjust to a new organization of the school. Junior year, we united to take home best decorations at Color Day, another diffi cult task. As for senior year, we united to prevail in Color Day, and we united to win every category of Spirit Week, by a landslide. And when times got tougher than anyone could have ever predicted, we united once more, in a way that no class has ever done before. And fi nally, we united once again in the wake of social unrest and took the situation head-on. We stood in the face of uncertainty, and we conquered it. Did we have to sacrifice things? Yes, but with these sacrifi ces we have gained an improved sense of optimism and confi dence. And in the end, here we all are. We’re getting diplomas, are we not? I’m still standing here speaking, am I not? If it’s one thing I will remember about this class, it will be our sense of unity. We are most certainly, one class. In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” We did exactly that. We adapted. And we succeeded in the end. This speaks volumes to what kind of adults we are becoming. The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Prayers and praise for SHS 2020 Here’s to the Saugus High School Class of 2020 whose 160 members made town history last Saturday (July 25) when they – under the protection of social distancing while wearing facial coverings – received their diplomas at Stackpole Field as the school observed its 149th commencement exercises. This was a special class that was bound together more tightly than any previous class in recent memory because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. From what I observed over these past four and a half months, it’s a class that’s been blessed with some of the town’s best and brightest young minds who persevered and showed great strength, determination and courage in overcoming adversity so they could enjoy a limited celebration and move on with their lives – many of them as future leaders in Saugus. I fi gured the best way to pay tribute to this group of graduates is to reach out to the School Committee and put the question to them: What makes this class special? I heard back from four of the fi ve members. School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge “If I had to sum up the class of 2020 with one word, it would have to be resilient! “The kids had the best part of their senior year torn away from them by a worldwide pandemic. No senior week, no senior BBQ, no luau, no prom and no chance to take that walk across the stage with the very classmates they have been with since elementary school. “But, instead of complaining and giving up, or having a drive-by graduation like other districts, this group decided to ride it out and wait to have their graduation in late July, creating a few new traditions along the way! That’s what being resilient is all about and that is what being a true Sachem is all about! I wish the class of 2020 the best of luck! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for this group of young leaders!” School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski “The SHS class of 2020 will go down in history as one of the most unique classes of graduates in history. They missed out on so many senior class experiences that every student looks forward to...but still received their diplomas on Saturday and are ready to face a whole new world of experiences that they have prepared for the last 12 years in school. Go out and conquer the world and let nothing stand in the way of your dreams…” School Committee Member Dennis Gould “Having the opportunity to meet many of the senior class and watching them at senior drive-in night and then at graduation, it was apparent to me that this class is diff erent and special. “They persevered after a very tough stop to their senior year, with the fun weeks that should have been ahead of them that would have been the most memorable with senior day, prom, etc. “The seniors showed true caring for each other at their graduation and every student’s speech was very mature and showed how they overcame the obstacles put in front of them. “Truly a special class!” School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher “The Class of 2020 had every reason to throw in the SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 14 We clearly demonstrated the ability to adapt to a situation and overcome it. You should be proud to someday answer the question “Hey, what year did you graduate?” with the answer “2020”. Now, Class of 2020, we must apply the lessons from the past four years we have learned about ourselves into our futures, and this lesson applies to each one of us. You will succeed. I got here. I’ve had this dream to be speaking to you right now since I started high school, and despite everything, every obstacle before the pandemic, I got here. Whatever your “here” is, you will get there. Know that when times get challenging, you have the ability to take control and conquer it. You will have done it before, in a situation unlike anything the world had ever seen. And for my classmates, they may be able to take our senior year, our activities and our time together, but no one can ever take away our new lessons and our newly formed identities. Remember who you are and what you learned about yourself during these times. They can take away anything, cancel everything, but one thing that will never be taken away – is Sachem Pride. Always be proud of what you have achieved and look forward to everything you will accomplish. I wish each and every one the best in your future endeavors. I love you, Class of 2020, and always remember, We Are One 2020.

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