Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 15, 2020 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. A “Shout-Out” for Bill Palmerini We didn’t receive any nominations this week for “An Extra Shout Out.” So, we will defer to recommendations offered by the pride of Saugus High School at a recent School Committee meeting held through Zoom Video Conference. School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge asked Class of 2020 Salutatorian Ronald DiBiasio which teacher – high school or any other level – had the most influence on him. “The person who comes to mind is my fifth grade teacher – Mr. Palmerini,” Saugus High’s second-ranked student answered. “One thing that stuck out was weekly that we had to recite and memorize poems. And I think that 100 percent helped influence my skills set – public speaking and memorization.” “I can vouch for that. I can vouch for that,” this year’s graduating class Valedictorian, Matthew Lanney, interjected. Whittredge asked Lanney whether he would provide the same answer if he were asked the same question. “Oh, absolutely. Undoubtedly,” Lanney replied. Sounds like a class act when you have the two top graduating seniors publicly praising a faculty member who left such a positive impression on their lives at such a young age. There were some chuckles overheard when DiBiasio mentioned Palmerini’s influence in the classroom. But during my time as editor of The Saugus Advocate, I’ve heard similar praise for the Veterans Memorial Elementary School teacher who has spent more than three decades as a Saugus educator – all of it in the fifth grade. Palmerini is homegrown. He is a lifelong town resident and 1982 Saugus High School graduate. And I was impressed a couple of years ago from what I observed during an elementary level robotics program, a class he was co-teaching with Computer Literacy teacher Jaclyn Hunter. All of the kids were engaged. From what I hear, there should be more teachers like Bill Palmerini. During this period of remote learning, I hear scuttlebutt that some folks don’t like it that he goes the extra mile for his students. That he goes way beyond what his contract calls for. Isn’t that what education is all about? Sounds like the type of teacher I looked up to when I was in high school a half a century ago. ASKS | from page 11 class before A.P. Calculus, I could probably relax and be fine. But if we’re talking about A.P. Calculus, no. There would be no slacking off in that class. I think, for the most part, school does come naturally for me, but it kind of just varies on the subject – about which ones come easier to me than others. Typically, the Science classes come very easy, the Math classes (outside of Calculus) – History classes really come easy to me, because I really love History, but English – I really did have to pay attention in English. I think that is my weakest link. When I took Spanish, Spanish came pretty easy to me. That’s because I have been around Italian my whole life and was able to pick up on it very easily. Q: English is your most difficult subject? A: Yes. I love books. I love poetry. It’s more of my essay writing skills sometimes that are not that great. If you talk to my English teacher, you’ll hear, “What are you talking about? You’re pretty good.” And I feel like I’m not very good. So, probably English is my struggle area where I really got to buckle down. But I still do well. That’s why my teachers don’t agree. Q: Is there much pressure to being the top student in your class? Or is it something you don’t think much about? A: Oh, there’s a lot of pressure. I thought about it constantly, constantly, mostly during this year. Before this year, there wasn’t much. It all intensified during Senior Awards Night last year when basically the top three of the Class of 2020 were announced. That is when it got real, if you know what I mean. At that point, the pressure started getting into high gear. Q: After two months of virtual classrooms and other distractions because of the Coronavirus, how do you stay focused? A: I know I don’t really want IN WITH THE NEW: Had there not been an outbreak of COVID-19, Matthew Lanney and the other graduating students from the Saugus High Class of 2020 would have moved into the High School wing of this new Saugus Middle-High School that was ready for occupancy after April vacation. But this year’s Valedictorian and his classmates spent their final months of school doing their classwork at home. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) to do this [schoolwork] now because I’m in my home, but I got to say to myself, “Look, I want completion. I want a grade. I want to graduate.” Just by knowing that if I put in the effort, I’m going to get a grade – that kind of keeps me focused. To be honest with you – once we closed down – you wonder, “What’s the point?” My year was over. All the grades IT LOOKS WORSE THAN IT WAS: Here’s a rollover crash with a happy ending. The driver of this car suffered no injuries despite knocking down a light pole near 21 Hammersmith Drive shortly before 2 p.m. on May 7. The driver was entrapped in the vehicle.. The driver apparently lost control of the car momentarily and overcorrected, hitting the curb and light pole, causing the airbags to deploy, according to police and fire reports. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Michael Layhe). Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with the mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. A virtual Memorial Day Observance It’s not too early for folks to start thinking about Memorial Day, which will be observed on Monday, May 25. Because of social distancing, there won’t be any parade or gathering at Veterans Park or Riverside Cemetery – no special program that would draw the crowds to pay tribute to the Saugonians who gave the ultimate sacrifice. But Saugus Veterans’ Service Officer Jay Pinette sent this message along: “The Saugus Veterans’ Service Office invites you to join us in honoring, remembering, and respecting the sacrifices made by our brave men and women. All are encouraged to decorate their homes, doors, or windows with patriotic spirit leading up to Memorial Day on May 25. Through these actions, we can Honor Those Who Served, show our appreciation and honor the service and sacrifice of our fallen heroes.” That would be great. Food pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. But they have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. “For the protection of our volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact & crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing prebagged groceries,” says Wendy Reed, Clerk of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, who also oversees the operation of the all-volunteer food pantry. “We understand clients may receive SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 13 were announced, and I’m the Valedictorian, so what’s the purpose anymore? But I know I can get a grade just by putting in the effort. But, also, I’ve got a lot of time on my hands. And I wouldn’t want my teachers to be upset with me, because I have a really good relationship with them – with all of my teachers – and I wouldn’t want them to be upset with me while I move on from Saugus High. Q: So, why were you still taking tests this week? Isn’t school out at this point? A: I took A.P. exams: A.P. Calculus and A.P. Literature. If I do well on the exams, those are college level courses that I get credit for that I won’t have to take. Q: How should the Saugus High School Class of 2020 be remembered. What should be their legacy? A: Don’t say we’re the class that didn’t get a high school graduation. Don’t remember ASKS | SEE PAGE 15
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