LYNN-As the first class of eighth graders at KIPP Academy Lynn prepare for graduation this spring, they have a host of decisions to make, from where to attend high school to what career path they want to focus on in the future.Many of these students have lived in Lynn their whole lives, coming from a variety of backgrounds. Most are minorities, and a high number of the students do not have a strong educational foundation beyond the classroom.Despite these forces working against them, KIPP’s 10-hour school day and disciplined structure has resulted in MCAS scores among the highest in the region, and a class of eighth graders seemingly poised and ready to take the next step toward success.Regardless of public opinion on his political policy and decision-making, Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. can be considered a Lynn success story. The St. Mary’s graduate went on to polish his academics at Providence College and served as a state representative and senator before returning to his hometown as mayor.The future collided with the present Wednesday morning, as Clancy, along with KIPP supporter and local business owner Joel Abramson, was on hand to speak to a class of those eighth graders, answering questions about his own journey and giving advice to students on how to become successful and give back to the community that they grew up in.”This is a great chance to have two Lynn guys come in and talk to these kids about being successful coming from the city,” said KIPP School Leader Josh Zoia, pointing out that Clancy is the first member of the city’s government to visit the school since its opening in 2004.Despite an obvious difference in style – Clancy’s informal laid-back conversation seemed to catch the disciplined students off guard – questions flowed from the classroom and the mayor answered with a combination of his own personal experiences and stories of others in the city.Clancy attempted to relax the students throughout his appearance, encouraging criticism – which he never received – and asking the group to call him by his nickname “Chip” rather than “Mayor Clancy,” a request that, like the negative feedback, never materialized.He answered questions about his childhood, growing up in a political family, education and his daily schedule as mayor. He spoke of the difficult decisions he has to make on occasion, and the stressful issues that seem to always come across his desk.He credited St. Mary’s with giving him the educational background to succeed, and explained his thought process in coming home to run for mayor after a lengthy political career at the state level.”I grew up on politics and government in Lynn, I was involved with it all of my life,” he said. “I was in a great job as senator, but I felt Lynn needed someone to make decisions and take the bull by the horn.”The underlying theme to Clancy’s speech was a focus on global education, as the economy has changed from the days of factory workers and labor specialists dictating the economy.”For generations in Lynn, labor intensive, low-tech jobs were the backbone of our economy,” he said. “But those types of jobs are now gone, and they aren’t coming back. That’s why what you do in (the classroom) with these teachers is so important, because you are now competing against kids from all over the world.”Abramson, a Lynn native who now owns Flagship travel in Marblehead, summarized both speakers’ messages as the program concluded.”The key to success is studying as hard as you possibly can as long as you can,” he said. “Turn off the TV, don’t rely on spell and grammar check all of the time. Always be curious, always ask questions, read as much as you can and learn as much as you can. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so you should always listen twice as much as you talk because you will learn something from everyone.”Students were appreciative of the pair’s appearance, and a good number of students told Clancy they would be applying to St. Mary’s next year, along with several p