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SWAMPSCOTT: Graduation speeches stress the familiar

By Cate Lecuyer
staff writer
Published: June 8, 2009

SWAMPSCOTT — History teacher Jon Flanagan gave the Swampscott High School Class of 2009 one last quiz during yesterday's graduation ceremony.

He asked them to identify the following quote:

"I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it, as well."

Students guessed Gandhi, and President Barack Obama.

Uh-uh. It was former President George W. Bush, during his 2001 inaugural address.

The reason for highlighting that particular quote, Flanagan said, is because, "Your actions must be consistent with your words."

"It is your words and actions that define who you are and where you stand," he said.

He also apologized to the graduates for the state of the economy.

"We, as adults, have not done a very good job," he said. "On a national, state and local level, we have failed you."

He compared the world they're about to enter to his own life growing up in the 1980s — when concerns were centered on war, credit excess, foreclosures, the stock market and corruption of leaders.

"Does any of this sound familiar?" he asked. "Unfortunately, what has defined your generation has defined mine as well. Unfortunately, the line between right and wrong has been blurred."

Yet this generation is full of success, as well. Valedictorian Carolyn Shasha's speech highlighted an accomplishment in technology that the '80s can't claim.

"We can do some pretty nifty things that we once only dreamed of," she said. "We can communicate instantly with almost anyone, by only using our thumbs."

They'll enter into the next chapter of their lives, downloading new music onto iPods and filling their Facebook wall with new friends, she said.

But class president Sarah Gardiner remarked on the timeless quality of Swampscott. Many of the stories told by parents and teachers, she said, sound remarkably similar to the stores told by students today.

"Three square miles has a certain charm," she said. She encouraged her classmates to experience and explore life, and know that if or when they return to Swampscott, it will always be a familiar place.

"We can leave, see the world, take advantage of new opportunities," she said. "And come back home."

Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.

Graduation at a glance

Best reason for not being late: Commencement speaker Michael "Harry" Upham claimed he made it just in time, after printing out his speech.

"It took a grueling 47 hours for it to emerge from the printers," he said. "I'm never using the high school library printers again."

Lightest moment: Graduates have been asking themselves many questions now, Upham said. Among them: "Was I really supposed to wear pants under this gown?"

Best prop: In August 1996, class president Sarah Gardiner and the rest of her kindergarten class received painters caps with "2009" printed across the front. "I have one," she said, placing it on her head.

Local talent: Graduate Breegan Houlihan, who sang the song "Never Alone" by Jim Brickman

Most salient quote: "I know that one day you may miss high school," Upham said. "I know this age-old mantra to be true — because I've been to the senior center. You're only young once."

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