Mount Everett Graduates Called on to Give Back to CommunityBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
01:34PM / Saturday, June 04, 2016 | |
Valedictorian Justin Makuc called on his classmates to become responsible for others as their community had been for them. More photos later today.
LENOX, Mass. — Mount Everett Regional School's 56 graduates had the benefit of all the opportunities and guidance of the small school and it's supportive community.
Now it's time to build on that foundation, and give back.
That was theme at the school's graduation exercises on Saturday morning in Tanglewood's Shed.
"We owe thanks to all those who have gotten us this far, but we also owe them something more than that," said valedictorian Justin Makuc from the stage. "We have benefited greatly from people whose goal was to help us, and now it is our duty to help others in the same way."
Makuc, who will attend the College of the Holy Cross this fall, pointed to his own family as providing the encouragement and support he needed to succeed. But all the graduates needed to be thankful for the investment the school staff and wider community had invested in them.
"It is easy to think about how our skills will help us profit in the future ... it is harder but much more important to think how our skills can help the community," he said.
Rather than simply considering material gains, helping others can be just as rewarding.
"I can assure from my experience it comes with deep satisfaction and true happiness for all parties involved," Makuc.
The class had already provided an example for the grades that will follow, but volunteering one and all to a last-minute parade in cap and gown through Undermountain Elementary School on Friday.
Principal Glenn Devoti said each class he talks about is so accomplished, he "feels like a broken record" at graduation. This year, however, he was struck by the students willingness to provide an example to their youngest classmates.
The procession through Undermountain had many teachers and graduates in tears, and pupils ecstatically jumping up and down and high-fiving the soon to be graduates.
"The elementary students went absolutely nuts," Devoti said, joking he was glad he wasn't the principal at Undermountain when the graduates left. "It meant so much to those kids that you did that, so my message to you is to hold onto to all those things that are important ... But in this life, when you get a chance to do something for somebody, do it just like you did yesterday."
Salutatorian Sean Smith said the high school had provided a firm foundation as each member of the class began to develop his or her identity. The support they received, their experiences good and bad, their achievements and setbacks, had all informed who they are.
"It is essential to understand that every well-built house stands upon a concrete foundation," he said. It can be added to, renovated, burn down. "No matter how it changes, no matter what happens to that house, the foundation upon which it was built will always remain.
"If you wish to know who you will be, do not look beyond your reflection."
Self-awareness is critical to developing character, as well as knowing how others percieve you, said Smith, who will attend Roger Williams University.
"You must be satisfied with who you are and with what you do for it is yourself you have to live with for the rest of your lives."
The various scholarships and awards were presented to the graduates by department heads, Devoti, guidance counselor Kimberly Conant, and graduation adviser Neal V. Barbieri as the audience cheered and applauded.
The 56 diplomas were awarded by Devoti, Dean of Students Kurt DeGrenier, Southern Berkshire Regional School District Chairman Carl Stewart and Superintendent of Schools David Hastings.
The Mount Everett Wind Ensemble performed the members' musical choice "Star Trek Into Darkness" and the chorus sang the class song "Bridge Over Troubled Waters. The ensemble also accompanied Samantha Twing in performing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Hastings congratulated the graduates but warned them "this was the easy part of your life." He told them their teachers and counselors had never given up on them, that they hadn't quit and that he was confident they would persevere through any challenge.
"You're going to be facing difficulties, especially in the military and other places where you're going to want to quit," he said. "I want you to remember one thing: the way out is the way through."
But it was Makuc who would charge his classmates to not only better themselves, but the world.
"Let us go out and become the kind of people who are responsible for the progress of others," he said. "For practically our entire lives our community has invested in us and it is at this point that we truly can begin to return the favor."
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