ECSTATIC Lynnfield High School graduates toss their mortarboards in the air at the conclusion of commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 on June 6. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The threat of thunderstorms and overcast skies did not stop the Lynnfield High School Class of 2025 from taking flight into a bright future during the 66th commencement ceremony at Pioneer Stadium on June 6.
The 66th graduation ceremony in LHS history began with the 138 graduates walking onto Pioneer Stadium while “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar was played by LHS Concert Band under the direction of first-year Band Director Eric Blackman. The Chamber Singers performed a moving rendition of the “National Anthem” led by Choral Director Doug Hodgkins.
LHS Principal Patricia Puglisi welcomed the 138 graduates, their families, friends, faculty, staff and school officials to the 66th graduation ceremony.
“Looking through your senior quotes in the yearbook, there was one quote that stood out to me,” said Puglisi. “Five of you quoted Winnie-the-Pooh, who is the author of this quote: ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’ On behalf of the faculty and staff, we have been lucky to have you as our students. Fortunately, we do not have to say goodbye because you will always be part of the Lynnfield High School community. Best wishes to all of you.”
“Enjoy every step in the journey”
Student Council President Ella Hayman thanked Puglisi, LHS Assistant Principal Mike McLeod, faculty, staff, families, friends and school officials for supporting the Class of 2025.
“It is because of this community that we are able to be here tonight,” said Hayman. “Your unwavering support does not go unnoticed, and we are all incredibly grateful for everything you have done for us.”
Hayman said it was “hard to believe” that graduation would be the last time the Class of 2025 would be gathered together. She said many of the graduates have been classmates since they were in kindergarten.
“We competed together in gym class, raced each other on the playground and shared snacks at lunch,” said Hayman. “We played make believe and dreamed of being princesses or the next Tom Brady. But more than anything, we could not wait to grow up. We were 5, but we wanted to be 10. We wanted to sit at the back of the bus, and be the oldest in the school. We wanted to be taken seriously and be seen as leaders.”
In addition to looking forward to becoming 10, Hayman said the graduates eagerly anticipated becoming middle school students and later high school students.
“Throughout it all, we could not wait to get older,” said Hayman. “‘I can’t wait’ may truly be the phrase we have said most these past four years. I can’t wait to be an upperclassman, I can’t wait to drive, I can’t wait for prom, I can’t wait for senior year, I can’t wait for graduation, I can’t wait for Ella to stop talking so I can get my diploma. It’s okay. I can’t wait either. But we have spent so much of our childhood looking forward to what comes next that we forgot to appreciate everything around us. Now suddenly, we are standing on the brink of adulthood, feeling like we were just five on the playground building fairy houses.”
Hayman encouraged the graduates “not to live with one foot in the future.”
“Whether you have everything planned out or you have no clue what you want to do with your lives, every single person here is capable of incredible success,” said Hayman.
“But as you work towards your success, do not get lost looking for the finish line. Enjoy every step in the journey. Celebrate the small wins, and learn from the mistakes. For now, appreciate this moment, this graduation, this accomplishment, because soon this moment will be a memory, and it will be a memory you cherish forever.”
The ceremony’s attendees gave Hayman a round of applause.
“We have accomplished so much”
LHS Valedictorian Rachel Lim thanked Puglisi, McLeod and the high school’s faculty and staff for supporting the graduates over the past four years. She also thanked the graduates’ families and friends for supporting them over the past four years.
“Your willingness to be a shoulder for us to lean on, genuine care for our well-being and unwavering love have not gone unnoticed whatsoever,” said Lim. “I also want to personally thank my own parents, who have always supported me no matter how annoying I could be; my older sister, who I can always confide in; and the other members of my family, most of them overseas in Korea, who have rooted for me from thousands of miles away.”
While Lim said she was “excited to graduate,” she acknowledged that commencement exercises marked a new beginning for the 138 graduates after all of them have “spent a lot of time in this town.”
“From history field trips into Boston to football games to Doc O’s Cookie Fridays to Prom and more, we’ve shared a lot of experiences together, begun to understand who we are as individuals and made great, lasting memories and friends,” said Lim. “But what’s next?”
Lim said the graduates “will continue to grow” in the coming years because “there’s nowhere for us to go but forward.”
“I don’t think your younger self could’ve imagined that you would come this far and change and learn so much,” said Lim.
While Lim said the Class of 2025 has “already faced scary challenges,” she said the graduates were able to get “through them in one piece.”
“I know we can be tenacious people, and because of that, I just want to express my hope for us to enter our uncertain futures without too much worry,” said Lim. “We have accomplished so much — discovered so much about ourselves, those around us, and the world — and we’re off to accomplish even more. We have exciting futures ahead of us. I look forward to finding out where everyone ends up. I’m sure I’m looking at future lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, researchers, stay-at-home parents, teachers, athletes, engineers and artists. It’s time for us to go off and find what we’re truly passionate about, or to pursue the passions we’ve already found. I hope we can all recognize how important it is for us to take this grand opportunity to essentially make whatever we want out of our lives. So, to conclude, in spite of the slightly daunting fact that we don’t know exactly what will happen in the next few years of our lives and beyond, I trust that we can go forward with overflowing excitement and eagerness, wisened by both our struggles and successes, ready to take on life’s next challenge.”
The ceremony’s attendees gave Lim a round of applause.
“Appreciate the ride”
Senior Class President Michael Murphy thanked families, teachers and school officials for supporting the graduates throughout their academic journeys.
“From elementary school teachers to high school principals, and, most importantly, our parents and loved ones, it would not have been possible without each and every one of you,” said Murphy.
Murphy said the LHS Class of 2025 has had a number of accomplishments over the past four years, and said “what a ride it has been.”
“If you ever wondered what greatness looks like, just glance around,” said Murphy. “In our class, we have four Division 1 athletes who’ve trained like champions, four Ivy League-bound scholars who’ve put in the late nights and deep focus we all aspire to have. Musicians who can light up any stage they step on, and a photographer who didn’t just capture our memories — but made them art. This isn’t just a graduating class — it’s a legacy in the making. And just as unforgettable are the thinkers, dreamers, friends and glue guys — each leaving a mark no résumé can capture. As we move forward, we remember that hard work pays off, perseverance matters and the little things mean the most.”
Murphy encouraged the graduates to “live in the moment.”
“Throughout high school, we were so focused on what was next — getting into the best colleges, chasing goals, planning for the future — that we sometimes forgot to enjoy how incredible the present was,” said Murphy. “To quote my dad’s favorite movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ We let some of the best years of our lives pass us by without fully appreciating them. But when we look back, it’s the little things that stand out. These were the moments that made high school special. Now we’re heading into another amazing chapter, and if there’s one thing we should do differently, it’s this: Take time to enjoy it. College is about trying new things and finding out who we are — so every now and then, pause, breathe and soak it all in.”
Murphy encouraged the graduates to “not forget where we came from.”
“The laughter, the lessons, the late nights and the little moments — they’ve all shaped who we are today,” said Murphy. “We’ve worked hard, we’ve pushed through challenges and we’ve learned to appreciate the ride. Whether you’re heading off to college, into the workforce, the military or just figuring things out in your mom’s basement, know that this isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning. So here’s to the Class of 2025: May we chase our goals with determination, face adversity with strength and, most importantly, never forget to stop and enjoy the moment.”
The ceremony’s attendees gave Murphy a round of applause.
End of an era
After Superintendent Tom Geary certified the LHS Class of 2025, Puglisi presented diplomas to the 138 graduates with the assistance of senior class officers.
“It is my pleasure and honor to present to you the Lynnfield High School Class of 2025,” said Geary. “Congratulations.”
After the graduates received their diplomas and Lim asked them to move their tassels from the right to the left, the Class of 2025 threw their mortarboards in the air, officially marking the end of their Lynnfield High School careers.