Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 13, 2025 Superintendent’s Address By William D. Hart G ood evening! Let me begin with a big Thank You to everyone who’s with us here this evening: To our students we are celebrating. • To the parents, families, and loved ones who are here to watch our graduates walk across this stage and receive their Everett High School diploma. • To our faculty and staff who have educated, inspired, and delivered our students to this Stadium. • To our music department for their essential contributions to our graduation program and adding to its never-ending list of accomplishments. In fact, this year saw our Percussion Ensemble capture its first-ever Winter Guard International World Championship title — one of the many accolades and achievements our students Everett Public Schools. • To State Senator DiDomenico, who has a long and distinguished career in public service and a proven track record of delivering legislation that supports and protects students and educators. • To State Representatives McGonagle, Ryan, and Garcia, who came to Everett directly from the State House, where they worked all day on important legislation and the state budget. • To School Committee Chairperson Samantha Hurley and the members of the Everett School Committee, who, without your overwhelming support, I would not have been able to steer this disEverett Public Schools Supt. William D. Hart. earned throughout this school year. I also want to thank and express my deepest appreciation to the members of our esteemed Platform Party: • To Mayor DeMaria, the leader of our city and a key contributor to everything we do, and hope to do, within the trict on a path of excellence — and who inspire me to work tirelessly on behalf of our students and families. • To our City Council President Stephanie Martins, and the members of the Everett City Council, your support of the Everett Public Schools, gives us real hope for expanding new opportunities across our schools. I also want to acknowledge the school district’s partners and stakeholders, including: • The Everett Police and Fire departments, whose professionals are essential to providing a safe learning environment for our students and staff. • The dozens of individuals, business, civic organizations, and institutions that support Everett High School students with scholarships, internships, and opportunities that promote access and student achievement. And last, but certainly not least — thank you Principal Lynch, Vice Principals Murphy and Sutera, and the entire Everett Public Schools staff, along with the many city of Everett departments who put considHART | SEE PAGE 22 Salutatorian Address By Kelly St. Fort G ood afternoon Family, Friends and Faculty, It is an Honor to stand here before you today as this year’s salutatorian. First and foremost I would like to thank my mom whose spirit and resilience has shaped who I am today. Mom, you are incredibly strong and beautiful, I could not be up here today without your unwavering support and determination for a better life. I would also like to thank my father for the sacrifices he’s made that have led me to this very moment, and my older siblings Sandy, Ericson and Bianca for their wisdom and guidance through it all. When I came to the United States at three years old after the 2011 earthquake in Haiti that left everyone in devastation, I wasn’t aware of the gift I had been given: a chance to start over. It’s easy to lose sight of that gift as life moves on. We get stuck on the superficial things in life like social media, Money and fame that we forget that we have so much love to share with the world and so much life yet to live. Today marks the end of our time in Everett public schools but it also marks the start of our impact into the world around us. I want everyone here today to leave with the understanding that life is what you make it. You do not have to accept the cards that you have been dealt, but instead have the courage to change it to the way you envision. As I sat down to write this, I struggled to find something that would connect us all. I realized that we are connected by the invisible forces that make us who we are.We’ve seen each other almost every day for the past 13 years, and in that time, we’ve shaped each other in ways we may not even realize. At this point in our lives, nothing is more meaningful than the relationships we’ve built—because these are the people who will be there to witness and celebrate life’s biggest milestones with us. It truly is the friends we made along the way. I’d like to shout out Milena Antonio who deserves to be up here just as much as I do. Your accomplishments are extraordinary, NYU has gained not only a conscientious student but a humble and vibrant young adult and I cannot wait to see what you achieve. To my fellow haitians I would like to tell you this Kèlkeswa kote ou ale apre jodi a, pa janm kite yo bliye ke ou se Ayisyen. Kenbe tèt ou byen wo nan tout sa w ap fè. Pa kite yo bliye ke nou rezistan, nou entelijan e nou se yon fòs. As the late Chadwick Boseman would say “to be young, gifted and black” let today be Kelly St. Fort, Class Salutatorian a testament to you all of the power of minority groups. That once given a chance, an opportunity to thrive, we will soar. Sometimes it can be overwhelming thinking of all the possibilities there are out there. Many of us want to be teachers, doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians and so much more. What happens when you want to be all? The answer is simple. Be all. Never shy away from opportunities and do not take what life has to offer for granted. Say yes to the things that scare you and if you’re not scared anymore conquer another obstacle. Be aware of the FORT | SEE PAGE 23
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