McCann Awards Diplomas to 112 Graduates, Class of 2009

By Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
08:39PM / Thursday, June 11, 2009

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Photos by Paul Guillotte McCann valedictorian Alexander L. Segala tells his classmates to set sail.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — C.H. McCann Technical School graduated 112 seniors on Thursday night in Williams College's Chandler Gymnasium with cheers and the blasts of air horns.

The green and white clad graduates entered the steamy gym to click of cameras from parents, family and friends along the bleachers and upper balcony in the cavernous setting. Graduation programs fluttered, doing double duty as fans in the steam gym.

"We are leaving our harbor today, we are entering in the vast world," said valedictorian Alexander L. Segala. "We will no longer be tied up to docks but rather free to roam. The waves will be bigger and the catch greater."

But the class of 2009 will be taking along a boatload of equipment garnered from its four years at McCann, he said. "Our knowledge, skills and passion ... nothing great in the world has been done without passion."

In trying to decided what to say to his classmates, the aspiring engineer researched and spoke with teachers, classmates and friends. On the reasoning that someone's already said it best, he listed off a selection of quotes, some obviously inside jokes like "if you want to win, put the stub in" that evoked laughter and cheers.

He reminded them that in a time of recession that had "a very valuable tool - we have a trade," but before launching into their futures they should "savor this moment for everything that it is."

"Remember, every ship at sea returns sometime ... explore, dream, discover."

Salutatorian Hannah K. Nuvallie saw life not as an ocean, but as a mountain that had to be climbed: "I reach the summit one step at a time ... each day I am closer to my goals and my dreams."

Inspired by watching a video in class on climbing Mount Everest, she imagined freshman as arriving at camp, getting to know what path to take (for her, culinary arts) and the people climbing with you and the teachers who would guide the way.

Sophomore was base camp; by junior year, "we were already halfway up the mountain," becoming mentors to younger students. The senior year, nearing the summit and watching as those "those four years has dwindled to an end."

"We've reached the top of the mountain," she said, and can now look down to see how far the class has climbed, and for some it's a little scary to take the next step.

"I like to think that we're staring down at at the base of an even larger mountain that we'll be able to successfully tackle because of the direct result of all that we've learned at McCann Tech," said Nuvallie.

Superintendent James J. Brosnan said here were two things the class will take away: "Their success and their comradeship. They forged a very very special bond these four years a bond that not only guided their success but something they can depend on their whole life."

He urged them to continue that commitment to each, to keep the bond strong.

Northern Berkshire Vocational School Committee Chairman Daniel J. Maloney Jr. awarded the diplomas. Rebecca R. Daniels sang the national anthem accompanied by Robert A. Davis. Gifts were given to Principal Kathleen Millard and class advisers Wendy Champney and Melissa King-Tinker.

Maloney recalled how looking through his wife's yearbook he noticed the comments on the pictures about the "best-dressed," "most likely to succeed," "shyest." If there'd been one on his yearbook picture, he said it would be "not the smartest person in the room," a comment he was sure was all to true this evening.

But, he continued, "The smartest person in the room will change depending upon the expertise that's needed ... we all have natural talents and abilities in some areas and we all struggle in others."

He encouraged the graduates to continue their learning in all areas, not just in their selected vocations. And to find a career they're not only good at but that makes them happy as well.

 "To be really successful, you not only have to work hard and you have to work smart and be able to adapt with the world," said Maloney.

"You have to learn something new every day," he continued. "Education is a lifelong process, education will prepare you for the future."

After the diplomas were hand out, the graduates moved their tassels from right to left at the request of Segala to signify their passage from the North Adams vocational school and the gym erupted in cheers, applause and, yes, air horns.

"You've been a joy to have at our school. We will miss you," Millard said in closing, her voice breaking. "My job as principal has been such an enjoyable one because of you." 

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