The Class of 2022 makes its way from Athol High School to the athletic field where graduation ceremonies were held Friday evening. For the Athol Daily News/Greg Vine
Athol High School Principal David King addressing the Class of 2022. For the Athol Daily News/Greg Vine
Class of 2022 Salutatorian Reilly Polana speaking to her classmates. For the Athol Daily News/Greg Vine
Breanna O’Donnell, Valedictorian of the Class of 2022, wishes classmates well as they head off into the future. For the Athol Daily News/Greg Vine
For the Athol Daily News
Published: 6/5/2022 4:37:21 PM
Modified: 6/5/2022 4:35:11 PM
ATHOL — Last Friday evening, as the sun set on the horizon behind the podium set up on the athletic field at Athol High School, it was also setting on the 12-year educational journey of 74 AHS seniors. Comfortable temperatures and a sense of anxious anticipation embraced both soon-to-be graduates and those who had gathered to see them handed their diploma.
In his commencement address, high school Principal David King admonished the seniors to abide by what he called “the four core dispositions for success.” These included empathy, patience, openness and the ability to listen.
At the top of the list was empathy, which he defined as “the ability to see the world of another person by feeling what they are feeling … or walking a metaphoric mile through their metaphoric shoes.”
Empathy, he said, requires a desire to support those around you.
“It involves building and maintaining positive relationships, even through the most stressful of times.”
Quoting from Webster’s dictionary, King said patience “was the ability to remain calm when dealing with a difficult or annoying situation, task or person.
“If you haven’t already figured this out, this world is made up of imperfect people. This includes me, you and all of the people you’ll have interactions with in this next chapter. It’s important to appreciate the uniqueness of each person. When it comes to developing and maintaining healthy relationships with individuals, it takes patience.”
King also urged the graduates to be open — or receptive — to new ideas, opinions and arguments.
“Openness contrasts to the idea of judgment,” he said. “We all have the potential to do great harm when making judgments of others. When you judge others, you discredit their experiences and their beliefs, and you assign your own meaning to the life they have lived.
“Instead of judgment, embrace openness. With it, you will have the ability to make a world of difference.”
In conclusion, King noted, “Research shows that we actually spend 80 percent of our time listening when in the process of communicating with another. Yet, it is the least practiced communication skill. Listening is also key to building strong relationships with others.
“As productive and positive listening occurs, you provide the greatest gift in the world: to be heard. Isn’t that all we really want? — to have an opportunity to share ourselves and our experiences, our thoughts, worries, hopes and our dreams with another person.”
In closing, King said, “Soon, graduates, if you can find a way to embody patience, empathy, openness and listening into your next chapter, then I am confident I will be reading about the story of your success.”
King was followed to the podium by Class of 2022 Salutatorian Reilly Polana, who thanked her family and friends “for supporting me throughout my years here,” as well as the teachers and staff who “encouraged all of us to trust in ourselves.”
Reflecting on her four years in high school, Polana related, “Although I feel my time was well spent, if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would learn to cherish the present time more. I had always found that I was either thinking of my past mistakes or worrying about my plans for the future. When I was, I so desperately wanted to grow up. Now, as I am older, I would just like to be a kid again.
“The best advice I can give to you, and wish I had given myself, is appreciate the moment you are in. You cannot change the past and you cannot move forward to the future; you are only allowed the present moment. So … be a kind person, work hard, and hold onto your loved ones as much as you can.”
Polana closed with a quote from actress, director and producer Kerry Washington: “Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.”
Valedictorian Breanna O’Donnell told those gathered, “I would like to take a moment to recognize all the losses and hardships many of us faced because of the pandemic, but also stand here today to congratulate every single one of you because we all made it through, despite everything.
“I have witnessed countless members of our class take on many responsibilities despite any struggle they were going through,” said O’Donnell as her voice choked with emotion. “Whether it be juggling multiple jobs, multiple sports, internships, dual enrollment, and so much more. When I look at our class and all of the people in it, I am inspired by all of you and am beyond excited to see what the next chapter or our lives will hold.
“I have full confidence in our class, whether going into the workforce, college, the military, trade school, or any other route, we will make the best of it because our class is filled with some of the most amazing, hardworking, inspiring individuals I know. Thank all of you for shaping these four years.”
The presentation of awards followed, with Principal King noting that nearly $139,000 in scholarships would be distributed to members of the Class of 2020.
School Committee Chair Lee Chauvette then presented a diploma to every member of the class, each of whom then stepped off the stage and into a future full of challenges and promise.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com
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