McCann Tech Graduates Ready to Face FutureBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
10:37PM / Wednesday, June 09, 2010
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The ceremony wasn't long, but the 111 graduates couldn't contain themselves Wednesday night past the first dozen or so diplomas.
The cheers, whistles, shouts and applause (along with beach balls and Silly String) burst from within the block of green and white and was soon taken up by family and friends who'd come to see the C.H. McCann Technical School class of 2010 graduate in the Amsler Campus Center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Every student was cheered, the only difference was in intensity.
It was the mark of a close-knit class that had ended its high school career with exceptional success in academics and athletics. But more, the class of 2010 had forged bonds as much through friendship as skill.
"Our achievements are many and great, but these are not what will come to mind when I reminisce about my years at McCann," said valedictorian Kristin Euchler. "What I will remember is the amazing personalities that combined to create great friendships which, in turn, resulted in countless fits of laughter and hilarious stories for times like these."
But the class could not have made it through not just the last four years but the last 18 years without help and guidance from parents and guardians, educators and friends, she said, urging her classmates to "give out hugs openly today" to family and thank teachers who'd given them insight — or a second chance.
She set the example by calling out to her mother and describing her father, math teacher John Euchler who presented her diploma, as the "greatest teacher ever." The class is now ready to take its sometimes uncertain steps into the future, she said.
"For our entire lives we've been walking a staircase with steps no higher than a few inches and now all of a sudden we've reached an enormous precipice with no handholds, fixed rope or summit in sight," said Euchler. "We are now more than we have ever been, alone — it's the scariest, most exciting experience we have ever faced."
"I foresee we will overcome the odds," she said, because "I know who I'm talking to."
It was a class that had much to be proud of, said Principal Kathleen Millard. "The support you have shown each other over the past four years but particularly this year, is to be commended. Thank you for challenging us each and every day."
Math teacher Patricia Taylor, who is retiring after 29 years at McCann, was given a round of applause. Millard aided in the awarding of diplomas with Superintendent James J. Brosnan and School Committee Chairman Daniel J. Maloney Jr., who reminded them that falling is part of learning. "Fear of failure is one of the greatest obstacles to creativity and problem-solving."
Rebecca R. Daniels sang the national anthem and the entire class sang the alma mater at the end of the ceremony. Class President Katelyn Cristofolini put together a slideshow of photos from class activities that was shown.
They had come a long way, said salutatorian Emily Serrano, recalling the uncertainty of freshmen year.
"We knew that we had a lot to learn still, but we were the type of class to make the best out of every situation, at least most of the time," she said. "I have met the best friends anyone could ask for here at McCann and some I wish I got to know before this year. I would not be standing here today if it wasn't for my friends."
Serrano urged her classmates to "go out every day and do things that make you happy, take chances, and make your own decisions because, in the end, you're the only person who truly knows what you want in life." |
