PEABODY — Members of the Class of 2021 marked a huge step in their lives Saturday as 329 graduates crossed the stage on Veterans Memorial Field and received their diplomas as a representation of their achievements at Peabody High.
But it wasn’t just their academic, athletic or extracurricular achievements being celebrated after a year where keeping the community healthy meant sacrifices from every one of them.
“You stayed laser focused on your goals and you have accomplished something truly special,” Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt said. “By facing adversity head-on you and your classmates are better prepared, and stronger, for what lies ahead. Because the only constant in this world is change and the only certainty is uncertainty.”
Bettencourt wasn’t just there to congratulate the class but to thank its members too.
“Throughout our history young people have stepped up and answered the call to service and sacrifice in one form or another,” Bettencourt said. “Doing your part to keep your family, friends and classmates healthy during this pandemic is the calling of your generation. You have answered that call.”
And while answering that call the Class of 2021 had plenty of time to self reflect. Valedictorian Kira Shapiro learned a new definition of success.
“All of our grades, GPAs, test scores, they are quantifiable amounts,” Shapiro said. “They are standards created by society just like the definitions of success. Something as abstract as happiness and success cannot be created by these numbers. It is happiness itself that truly shows how successful one is.”
Finding happiness in the everyday things of life was a common theme of Saturday’s graduation and it carried over into class essayist Olivia Barrete’s speech as well.
“Although we lost a lot this past year I personally believe that we learned an extremely valuable lesson that we would have never learned otherwise,” Barrete said. “That lesson is never taking things for granted and living your life to the fullest.
“This past year I learned a lot about myself. But more importantly I learned how valuable some aspects of life truly are,” Barrete said. “Things like blasting music in the car with my friends during a late night drive, holding my baby cousin, hugging my family members, saying hello to my teachers in the hallways. I took all of these things for granted when in reality these were some of the most valuable moments in my life.”
And while their graduation will always be marked with a year of remote learning and struggle, there’s still plenty to look forward to for this group of Tanner graduates.
“A new and exciting journey awaits you,” Principal Steven Magno said. “The best years of your life are yet to come. I promise you. You are destined to do great things and I’m confident that we prepared you well. Your future is bright and full of hope. To quote the fictional character Andy Dufresne, ‘Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.'”