By Tom Dalton
MIDDLETON — The class of 2008 at North Shore Technical High School got a lot of good advice at last night's graduation, and even some words of wisdom about smart toilets.
Graduation speaker Alan November of Marblehead had the audience laughing at a story about a $2,000 toilet he tried out in Japan that came with computer chips connected to both the doctor's office and the refrigerator. The toilet, he said, provided instant information about the state of a person's health.
"Good morning, Alan," he said, pretending to be the computerized voice in Japanese refrigerators. "May we suggest more fiber today."
The senior partner of November Learning, an educational consulting firm, told the students that smart toilets really exist and that they had better be ready for a future of dramatic technological progress.
"There are going to be some changes," he said. "We are only at the beginning — the very, very beginning."
Although it was unintentional, one of the student speakers seemed to have an answer for November. He praised the education he received at the regional vocational school and the lessons he learned from teachers and staff.
"We leave North Shore Tech with the knowledge and confidence to take on the world," said Drew Morrissey of Gloucester, the co-president of the senior class.
Before delivering his farewell address, Morrissey received the prestigious School Committee Award from George Harvey, chairman of the 16-community North Shore Regional Vocational School District School Committee. Morrissey, an honor student, actor and computer whiz, won a gold medal in computer networking at a regional competition this year.
Salutatorian Melissa Woodhouse of Danvers received the certificate of academic excellence from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
The top student in the senior class, Kristina Davis of Danvers, delivered the valedictory address. She is one of several North Shore Tech students who qualified for SkillsUSA, a national leadership and skills competition for technical education students, which will be held next month in Kansas City.
The senior class left its mark on the school, staff members said. They volunteered at a food pantry and raised $1,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims. This week, they presented an ailing senior class adviser, Richard Newman, with $600 in savings bonds to benefit his 2-year-old son.
"This was a very giving class," said teacher Nancy Dashcund.
Graduation at a Glance
Class gift: 50-inch flat screen TV
Class size: 99 graduates
Co-presidents: Victoria Asaro and Drew Morrissey, both of Gloucester
Best voice: Jennifer Abbott of Middleton, who led singing of the national anthem
Best quote: Speaker Alan November: "Do not burn your bridges with your parents. You might be moving back."
Bravest employee: Dick Levesque, director of buildings and grounds, who stood on a ladder on the roof to take a photo of seniors tossing their caps.
