Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 31, 2020 Senior Class President Address – Kiley Ronan “Class of 2020, we never needed the best of anything, but we made the best of everything.” Editor’s Note: The following is the text of the address delivered by Senior Class President Kiley Ronan at Saugus High School’s 149th Commencement Exercises last Saturday [July 25] at Stackpole Field.) G ood morning, teachers, students, family and friends. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Kiley Ronan, the senior class president. On behalf of the senior class, I would like to thank all the people inSABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY Call for a Quote 617-387-7466 Or email Rocco@sabatino-ins.com We cover: * Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available volved in making Saugus High School excellent. To the administration, for keeping order within our school and making the tough calls when needed, we thank you. To the faculty, who put their students fi rst and who sacrifi ced to ensure that we were getting the most out of our education, we thank you. To the staff , who work tirelessly to plan events and do everything they can to support us, we thank you. To each member of each family represented in the senior class, who have aided them in their success with love and support, we thank you. To Alongi and Serino, you two have worked so hard and dedicated so much of your time for our class, which has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated, we thank you. Mom and Dad, I would not be standing up here today if it wasn’t for you guys. Thank you for encouraging me and believing in me. And for everyone here today, thank you all for coming out to celebrate. Now to my class, Class of http://www.sabatino-ins.com SABATINO 564 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-7466 Hours of Operation are: Mondays - Fridays 9am to 5pm Saturdays by appointment only 2020. We are special. We entered the world in the midst of 9/11 and are venturing into adulthood during a pandemic. Never in our wildest dreams did we see us ending high school this way and, although it’s a month and 20 days later than expected, here we are. We did it. Congratulations, Class of 2020. In the past, senior year would entail a lot of lasts: last fi rst day of school, last sports game, last improv show and so on. And that remains true for us. However, our senior year also had a lot of fi rsts. First PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: Class President Kiley Ronan said that while many traditions were lost with the old Saugus High School building’s closure, this year’s graduates were the first to have drive-in celebrations. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) ever graduation parade, fi rst drive-in senior video, and the fi rst time for a graduation like this. We are historic in so many ways, one of them being that we are the last class to graduate from the original Saugus High School. I can’t even tell you how many people approached me with “You must be so excited to be in that new school?” Truth is, the building never mattered. Although it may be old and run down, it’s a special place that holds all our memories from the last four years. Nothing will replace sneaking Dunks coff ee into school in the morning or piling into Bon’s room for the air conditioner. Our school was never perfect, but it had character – heaters that sounded like something was living inside and buckets on the fl oor catching the leaks from the ceiling. Ahhhhhhhh, Saugus High School. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the new school will be great with its fancy outdoor classrooms and multiple bathrooms with doors on the stalls, but it will always lack the authenticity of the old school. When that got torn down so many traditions went with it – one of them being Color Day – all those late nights spent painting or putting together dances. They say it doesn't matter where you are, but who you are with that makes life special, and that’s how it was with Saugus High. It wasn’t the quality of the school; it was the teachers, students and people inside. We cherished our time there but who would’ve known it would be cut so short? Things changed quickly for our class, but it taught us many life lessons along the way. I know some of you are thinking, “Who cares about life lessons? We missed out on prom and so much more.” I’m here to tell you that as much as we lost we have also gained. We gained confidence to know that we can survive and thrive when life changes so quickly. We gained the opportunity to show our community we can be innovative when things don’t go as planned. We are smart and strong and able to address issues face-toface with dignity. We’ve experienced change and adapted. We’ve dealt with adversity and overcame it. Class of 2020, we never needed the best of anything, but we made the best of everything. Every person graduating today should be proud of their resilience and ability to stay positive, I know I am. Don’t ever doubt your ability to persevere. Things are not put in your way to stop you; they’re put in your way to test you. So pass the test! Be unstoppable! Too often we spend our lives waiting. Seems we are always planning for better days ahead and missing out on the moments we are in. When you think about it, life is just time. Days, months and years strung together. That is one lesson the Class of 2020 learned this year, the value of time. Learning this at such a young age is a gift. It means we can refl ect, change how we think and really begin to enjoy each moment. So take that gift and apply it every day; don’t wait for tomorrow. There’s this misconception that everybody has: the idea that living the longest means you got the most out of your life. However, I think Abraham Lincoln’s words hold more substance; he said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” So live for today and remember paths are made by walking, not waiting. Class of 2020, you are special. You have spent the last four years preparing for this day, and although it looks a little diff erent, here we are. So celebrate today, enjoy it, admire all that you’ve done and all that you’ve accomplished. But get ready! The world you’re about to enter in is going to challenge you, but it’s nothing you’re not prepared for. Graduating high school is just the beginning of all you will do. One of my favorite quotes from “Grey’s Anatomy” explains it best: “This is your starting line. This is your arena. How well you play? That’s up to you.” Go out, play hard, and by the end make sure you’re able to say you gave it your all. Congratulations, Class of 2020! It has been an honor being your class president for the last four years, and I wish you the best of luck in all that you do!
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