Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 NEVER | FROM PAGE 1 Atkinson was supposed to be a member of the Saugus High Class of 1943. “Instead of dealing with the [COVID-19] pandemic, he left to join the Navy and partake in World War II. Tonight, at long last, at 98 years old, he’s here to receive his Saugus High School diploma,” Hashem said. Escorted by his son Paul Atkinson, of Methuen, the Lynn resident, who looks forward to celebrating his 100th birthday in November of next year, walked up to the makeshift stage to receive his honorary degree. After receiving the diploma from Hashem, Atkinson turned to face the crowd and doffed his World War II baseball cap in what appeared to be a salute to the Class of 2021. The graduates, clad in their red gowns, reciprocated with a loud standing ovation. Atkinson, who grew up in East Saugus, is the oldest of seven children – all of whom are still alive, according to Hashem, who read from a mini-biography. Atkinson is married and has five children and seven great-grandchildren. He served in the U.S. Navy from December 1942 to January 2, 1946. After the war, he returned home to work at General Electric as a Technical Engineer and GE sent him to MIT for training. “I spent 45 years there,” Atkinson said in an interview before the graduation ceremony. Atkinson attended the Great Lakes Training Center in November of 1942. He trained on the Higgins troop landing boats and was assigned to the USS President Adams. After receiving the wartime training, he was shipped out to the South Pacific and assisted with the invasion of troops at Bougainville Island, where his crew would bring Marines onto the beaches while under fire and bring wounded troops back to the ship. Atkinson spent six months on Bougainville as part of the liberation troops and was sent to participate in the liberation of the Philippines. He received MORTAR BOARDS WITH AN ATTITUDE: A few Saugus High School graduates got creative in decorating the tops of their caps at last Friday’s commencement exercises. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) A ROLLING CELEBRATION: This SUV parked outside Stackpole Field paid tribute to the graduating seniors. CLASS PRESIDENT: Emma Peacock presided for four years over the Saugus High School Class of 2021. TOP TWO STUDENTS: Left to right, Michael Kenny, who received Valedictorian honors as the highest scoring academic student in the Class of 2021, and the runner-up: Salutatorian Charles Denovellis. SON OF A PRINCIPAL: Keith Michael Monto celebrated his graduation day with his mother – Saugus Middle School Principal Myra Monto. TWIN SCHOLARS: Left to right, Christopher Denovellis, president of the Saugus High School Student Council, and his twin brother Charles Denovellis, the class Salutatorian. Both are members of the National Honor Society. numerous medals for his service, including the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. A CASCADE OF CAPS: At the end of the commencement exercises, the young graduates celebrated by flinging their caps skyward. HONORARY DEGREE: Retiring Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr., received an honorary diploma from Saugus High School Principal Michael Hashem.
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