MELROSE — The weather held for Melrose High’s Class of 2025 last Friday night as 241 seniors graduated during the annual commencement exercise outdoors at Fred Green Memorial Field.
From Samy Abidi to Mina Zheng, the graduates celebrated their accomplishment together as a class, marching onto the field at 6 p.m. to “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar. Heavy cloud cover could not dampen the spirit of the occasion.
Clio Moock sang the National Anthem and later in the program the Melrose High Honors Chorus sang “Where You Lead I Will Follow.”
A Melrose tradition, diplomas were given to students by the person they chose to do so.
In her address, Class President Catherine Kavanaugh told her peers, “Throughout high school, you’ve all shown up for your classmates at sporting events, robotics competitions, and drama productions. You’ve all cheered together at pep rallies. You’ve all talked to new people and made friends in class. And you’ve all been part of creating our united class community graduating today. Because of that we are not only leaving here with our high school diplomas, but also with lasting friendships, life lessons on kindness and compassion, and with Melrose being a place that we can always fall back on and a place we will always be able to call home. Thank you and congratulations to the Class of 2025.”
Co-Valedictorians Hannah Haseltine and Katherine Urchuck took turns addressing classmates.
Haseltine said, “As we all step into the next chapter of our lives, it can be easy to lose sight of who we know ourselves to be. So, Class of 2025, we urge you: hold tightly to your authenticity, inspiration, passion, resilience, and drive. Remember your adaptability, tenacity, and versatility in the face of conflict; your diligence and intelligence when there’s a problem others say can’t be solved. Never lose your exuberance, silliness, and kindness. As we all head in different directions, let these truths ground your next steps. Bring these things with you wherever you go, and the world outside of MHS will be better for it.”
Urchuk continued, “Today, you must remember that you are not alone—physically, or in the metaphorical sense that seems to be the message of every chorus song I’ve sung for the last 7 years. The scariest part of not being alone, however, is knowing we are seen, from our highest highs to our lowest lows. In those moments, my instinct—and probably yours too—is to stop trying, to remove ourselves entirely from accountability; therein, failure is inevitable. There is no inherent shame in failure. There is, however, shame in not trying. And never, ever be afraid to step on a few toes to reach your goal— that’s why we wear steel toed boots on the robotics team. In my four years on the team, and now as co-captain, I’ve written grants; designed robot mechanisms; driven our robot at the World Championship in Houston (twice!); and redesigned said robot mechanisms. “Redesign’ seems to suggest I failed the first, second—nth—times around, right? But, truly, the real failure would have been refusing to iterate—on the robot and on myself. Class of 2025, do not be afraid to try and fail. Learn from your failures. And when you succeed, raise the bar for yourself.’
Haseltine picked it up from there. “I am confident that each and every member of the graduating class can name at least one particular area on this campus that has become their safe space. Whether it be the cozy corner of a favorite teacher’s room, the stage in the auditorium, or the track at Pine Banks, it’s probably seen you through a lot the past four years. A place in particular I can think of for myself is right where we are today: Fred Green. I have served as color guard captain at MHS for the last two years, and have practiced and performed on this field countless times over the last four years with the marching band. As I stand here today for one last time as an MHS student on Fred Green, I cannot help but remember all of the memories I have made on this very field. I hope to one day be able to reflect as a member of the UCLA marching band about performing in the Rose Bowl with as much gratitude and fondness as I have for the Melrose marching band. Today may be the end of this chapter on this field, but it’s the start of something new.”
Urchuck said, “The year 2025 now holds a new connotation for many in the audience. When in fifty years personal memories become entangled with what is currently history in the making, do not let the year 2025 be tainted by what you could not control. It is our responsibility to take back not only this year, but our futures—for our families, our friends, and the future versions of ourselves we deserve to meet.”
Haseltine concluded, “So, class of 2025, take this moment to look around. I know I need it. Make sure you thank someone today. Hug someone a little tighter. Feel all the feels. You’ve worked hard for this moment. Don’t let it pass you by.”
Simaya Terrell gave this year’s METCO address.
“I am proud to say I was a METCO student for 8 years. To me, METCO is more than just a program — it’s an opportunity, and for that, I will always be grateful,” said Terrell.
She continued, “I’ve always loved cheer, partly because of the movies I watched like bring it on. Those films often showed diverse cheer teams, and I hoped high school would be the same.
“If I could go back and talk to ninth-grade Simaya, I’d tell her: ‘Be confident. Prepare yourself.’
“Yes I made the team #MHSVC4L—but for three years, I was the only person of color on it.
“I had to stand my ground regardless of any discomfort. I was able to get used to being the only person of color on the team. I had to constantly explain parts of my life that others didn’t understand. I felt pressure to over-explain things, and my parents worried for me—not because of who I was, but because of how the world might treat me because of my skin.
“Three years may not sound like a lot, but it felt like a lifetime. Still, my senior year changed everything.
“I was able to get two of my friends—both African American—to finally join the cheer team. One was also a METCO student, and the other was a Melrose resident. I made sure they knew about tryouts ahead of time and had all the information they needed. Being the only person of color for so long I was able to make my coaches aware of things others may consider ‘black girl problems.’There were things like my hair. My team had a signature style: Half up, Half down. I have very different hair so my styles would be different. There were times I had my bow in a place different than everyone else’s and I was able to explain why there was a difference to my coach. When my friends joined the team my coach never gave them a problem when it came to traveling to and from practice all the way from Boston or having a different hairstyle than the rest of the team. I was able to bring awareness and show diversity and inclusivity during my senior year of cheerleading and pave the way for many more to come.
“That moment meant so much to me. For the three years I was on the team without anyone that looked like me I constantly dealt with people saying things to me or giving me looks. I always wondered “Do they see this as weird?” I had nobody around me and normally no one would want to be in an uncomfortable situation. From being the only person of color in my classroom in fourth grade to finally seeing faces like mine on my cheer team—it felt like a full circle moment. That’s what made my final year as a cheerleader unforgettable….
Terrell said, “I know that I solved a small problem for myself as a METCO student by having more people of color around me
“From being the only person in fourth grade to having three girls on my cheer team it felt full circle.
“That experience shaped my time as a METCO student more than anything else.
“That’s why the METCO program matters so much. Representation in classrooms and on sports teams is not just nice to have—it’s necessary. Children deserve to feel seen and understood wherever they are.”
Melrose High Principal Jason Merrill said, in part, “Be the person that always works hard. Work as if someone is chasing you. This is free and it takes no talent. Earn your job every day or someone else will.
“You will all have opportunities to make a difference in our world… you already have. You’ve taught me as much as we have taught you. The time will come for all of you to change something or someone for the better, be ready and take advantage of these moments.
“When you are looking for the leader in the room; find the best listener, not the loudest voice. We spend too much energy trying to convince people how to think instead of just listening. Everyone seems to want to be the one to tell everyone what someone else is doing wrong and judge them. Instead be curious, be patient, practice tolerance, listen, forgive, and give grace. A friend, who is here tonight, shared with me yesterday that a strong leader gently pushes while a boss has to constantly pull. Be a leader, not a boss.
“Adversity… is part of life. Life gets hard. Life is gonna punch you in the mouth and it might have already, how are you gonna handle it. It’s how you deal with it that really counts. Tough times make tough people, tough times don’t last, tough people do. What you do in the face of adversity will dictate how you handle every adverse situation in life. Be resilient. If you crumble, fold, or complain – people are watching you, your classmates and co-workers, your friends, your family, and they will believe that is how you respond to tough times. Learn to accept that it is part of life. Work harder, find the positive in something, the silver lining, ask what more you can do, ask how you can be a better member of that team. Be that person.
“I hope that you aspire to build a life, not just a living. Years from now no one will remember your possessions. They will talk about how you treat people and how you made them feel. When you define what success looks like, don’t focus on money but rather the impact you have on others. As you get older, you stop chasing big things, and start to appreciate the little things more. The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. And it’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy. I hope you find humility, gratitude, and patience.
“I’m going to end the same way that I ended your first class meeting; Work Hard, Be Kind, and Be Respectful and the rest will all fall into place.”
John Arena gave this year’s Farewell Address.
He told his fellow graduates, “As we head into the unknown and leave this place we call home, it’s easy to look around and feel behind—or ahead. I just want you to know that life’s GPS has it’s own unique plans for you. Please take this lesson with you..
“Someone graduated at 23, but didn’t find the right job until 29.
“Someone else skipped college and built a business by 21.
“One married young and divorced young.
“Another waited—and found a love that lasted.
“The point is: You’re not early.
“You’re not late.
“You’re right on time—exactly where you’re supposed to be.
“So, stop comparing your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty.
“Don’t wish the traffic away.
“Don’t rush the red lights—they’re there for a reason.
“There won’t be another moment exactly like this one. Look around—you’re in it. Don’t let it slip past. Smile. Hug someone. Take it all in.
“Stop waiting for the ‘right’ time. Now is the right time.
“Be bold enough to begin, even if you’re afraid, especially if you’re scared.
“Because courage doesn’t always feel like strength.
“Sometimes it feels like fear.
“So, do it sad.
“Do it angry.
“Do it tired.
“Do it afraid.
“Because the clock doesn’t stop ticking.
“Class of 2025, as you move forward, remember your roots. Remember the people who believed in you. And most of all—enjoy the traffic. Embrace every unexpected turn. Trust the detours.
“The road ahead may be uncertain, but don’t just ride along. Take the wheel. Drive with courage. And when the traffic hits, don’t forget to savor it.
“Congratulations to every single one of you.
“Class of 2025, let’s not just begin the journey—let’s make it unforgettable.”