With a toss of the cap, the senior class of Lee High School celebrated their efforts. Valedictorian Michael Demos, left, sent them off from their high school roller-coaster ride with words inspired by Motley Crue. See more photos here.

LENOX, Mass. — They're on their way. They're on their way. Home sweet home.

 

Lee's Middle and High School class of 2015 was certainly a "motley crew" as valedictorian Michael Demos characterized them. And on Saturday, the graduates trekked across the stage Tanglewood's Koussevitzky Music Shed to collect their diplomas. 

 

"When we started this class off, it seemed that all we needed was a laugh. And as the years have gone by, I'd say it's been bittersweet. I appreciate the roller coaster ride throughout our time together because it's had its lows by the highs are worth it any day," Demos, who wove Motley Crue lyrics throughout his address, said. 

 

He later added, "I think we all feel that we're ready to go home after our 12-year ride together and start our lives."

 

That class isn't going to be known for "being the most motivated, organized, responsible, mature, or studious," said salutatorian Sara Benjamin. But she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The students are "like one big family" and the senior year brought them even closer. Benjamin urged her classmates to try new things and use initiative to make the most out of the time they have.

 

"If there is one thing high school has taught me, it's that life's too short to have regrets. Some people say that good things come to those who wait. But, the problem with that mentality is that you never know just how long you'll end up having to wait. The person who waits for good things to happen to them could end up wasting their entire life away, waiting," Benjamin said. "I believe that this concept applies to high school as well. High school, just like life, is just a series of choices and opportunities. However, no one's going to come to your door and deliver these opportunities to you on a silver platter."

 

She said  it wasn't until her senior year when she tried her hand at theater and her only regret is that she didn't do it earlier. Too often people are afraid to try new things because they are afraid of failure, she said. She asked her classmates to avoid that mentality.

 

"No matter where you go or where you end up next year, always remember: if opportunity doesn't knock. Build a door. Because years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than any of the things that you did do."

 

Principal Gregg Brighenti told the students that when they are making decisions they should consider the potential impacts. He cited the butterfly effect to outline just how powerful helping somebody can be. 

 

Norman Borlaug discovered wheat and corn that can be grown in dry climate, which is estimated to have saved 2 billion lives. Following the butterfly effect backward, Brighenti credited Henry Wallace with saving 2 billion lives because as vice president he created the lab to make the hybrid grains and hire Borlaug. Wallace had a love for botany that was instilled in him by his mentor George Washington Carver. So, he too gets credit for the lives because without his influence, Wallace wouldn't have had the interest. Or, was it the farmer who adopted Carver, Moses Carver, who taught and inspired the ground-breaking botanist.

 

"Remember that your actions do matter," Brighenti said. 

 

While it may be "daunting" to think about those impacts, Brighenti said as long as the graduates remember their morals and their ability to reason and think through problems, they'll do fine. He asked them to good good deeds, be nice to others, and "go out there and make us proud."

 

When the 25-year reunion comes, Samuel Kelley has a letter they'll open and read. Kelley was chosen as class speaker after interim Superintendent Alfred Skrocki opted not to give an address, leaving the choice of speaker to the students.

 

Kelley read the letter that he hopes will be re-read at their class reunion 25 years from now at the Greenock Country Club. The students had all written in a journal in 8th grade and this week read it, so Kelley added the new letter to that book.

 

"Upon opening up the journals five years later, everyone in the room was laughing, smiling and reminiscing about times with old friends, strange events, and unforgettable memories. Many of us were left in disbelief about the things we were thinking at the age of 14," Kelley said.

 

He hopes the next letter is read in the presence of doctors, lawyers, teachers, and millionaires, when the class members are all in their 40s and their kids are entering high school. The letter features reminders of stories and classmates to have the same effect as the letters written in 8th grade.

 

"Dream big. I know that all of you have got one and I'm encouraging you to go for it. Have the confidence, take the risks, do it well, and remember how you got the job done because I will be asking you all about it in 25 years," Kelley said.

 

And with the announcement of scholarships, the chorus singing "Dust in the Wind," and the presentation of diplomas, the class proceeded out of the Shed and to the lawn where they were greeted by family and friend, who came bearing flowers, gifts, and a hug. 

 

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