McCann Technical Graduates Urged to Dream Big

	McCann Technical School graduated 114 students on Wednesday night at the Amsler Campus Center. Left, valedictorian Laura Lynn Netti bids farewell to the class of 2015. See more photos here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The graduating class of McCann Technical School was encouraged to remember its roots and dream big on Wednesday night.

"We all have the potential to do great things but don't forget your roots," said valedictorian Laura Lynn Netti.  "They are our beginnings, they our accomplishments, they are our struggles and they are our memories. The more we know the deeper and deeper they get."

The class had come together as a family over the past four years - sometimes squabbling, sometimes helping each other — but together overcoming obstacles to get to this day.

She urged her classmates not to let "the voices of others drown out your inner voice and most important, have the courage to follow your heart. ...

"We shouldn't be scared of the future, the future should be scared of us."

Netti's speech capped the graduation exercises at the Amsler Campus Center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

The cheers rang out — accompanied by the sound of cow bells — as the 114 students of the class of 2015 marched across the stage to be presented diplomas by School Committee Chairman Thomas R. Mahar and Superintendent James Brosnan. The noise became more raucous as the diplomas dwindled, signifying the end to the graduates' high school careers.

Class advisers Cynthia Roper-Patenaude and Perry Burdick were given gifts on behalf of the class by its officers President Drew F. Burdick, Vice President Laura E. Heritage, Secretary Elizabeth V. Culpepper and Treasurer Alycia N. Rando. Kylie M. Burns sang the national anthem accompanied by Robert A. Davis on the keyboard.

Mahar took a moment to acknowledge the staff, faculty and School Committee for their efforts.

"This night is just as precous to all of us as it is for you as we watch you receive your diplomas," he told the green and white clad graduates. "We're all proud of what you have accomplished both in the classroom and on the playing field ... We wish you all the best of luck in all your future endeavors."

Brosnan also said he was proud of them, and called on the graduates to "be loyal to yourselves, your family, your country" as well to their classmates and other alumni

The class got a suprise "visit" from automotive instructor Michael McCarron, currently serving as a sergeant first class with the Army Reserve in Afghanistan.

"Dream big, anything is possible," said McCarron, adding in a few "hooahs" in a video recording played on a screen in the gymnasium.

Principal Justin Kratz brought something of a prop with him to this year's graduation. He'd been thinking about his toddler daughter's request a couple years ago that he wear a pink shirt and a pink bowtie to work. Kratz felt he had to draw the line somewhere - and the bowtie made him uncomfortable.

So he wore the shirt but took off the bowtie when out of sight and forgot to put it back on before going home - and disappointing his 3-year-old daughter.

"Why, when it would have made her day, why I would not just wear a pink bowtie," he said. "I really started thinking about how a simple act can make someone's day awesome  ... my suggestion to you graduates is to actively seek out a way that you can make someone else's day — even it makes you a little uncomfortable — make their day."

Whereupon he pulled out the bowtie and put it on to the cheers of the graduates.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the alma mater and tossing of hats and glitter into the air before the new graduates exited the gym into the arms of family and friends.

"Hard work can get you anywhere  ... your drive and determination are what bring you to your goals," salutatorian Zoe Loughman told them. "How hard you work is the best standard of success no matter where you come from, no matter what you're good, at you can be successful if you are passionate and want to accomplish your task. ...

"You can't put a large box in a small box, well you can't but a full life in a small dream box ... Dream up  everything you want to do with your life."

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