DANVERS — Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School honored 343 graduates last week in its 2021 graduation ceremony.
“If I could describe the Class of 2021 in one word, it would be ‘grit,'” said Superintendent Heidi Riccio in the ceremony. “This last year was tough, and our students have worked hard to reach this moment. Beyond grit, I would like to express the need to be a good human. I ask that you hold that door open for someone, you get to know your neighbor, you learn another person’s culture, you gain an appreciation for another’s differences and you seek to understand others.”
State Sen. Joan Lovely, herself a graduate of the school, gave the keynote address, commending the students on their perseverance through a difficult year.
“I know getting here hasn’t been easy. Over the last year, you have faced challenges unlike any class that came before you, and yet despite those obstacles you have persevered,” she said. “Every single one of you should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments. For each and every one of you, your diploma is key for your next step, whether that is heading up to a two- or four-year program, or heading straight into the trade you learned here at this amazing school.”
Of the graduating class, 75 percent have plans to pursue either college or apprenticeship training, 23 percent will enter the workforce immediately and 2 percent have enlisted in the military.
At the June 4 commencement, Salutatorian Ellie Clark of Swampscott spoke to her fellow graduates about the importance of patience.
“Patience is, in essence, all about doing everything you can to achieve your goals and understanding that you may not see the fruits of your labors immediately,” she said. “While instant gratification is becoming increasingly common in our world, most things in life still require this kind of patience, and that’s why it’s so important.”
Valedictorian Molly McDonald of Swampscott encouraged her classmates to find a way to make an impact on the world.
“Entering Essex Tech in 2017 as overwhelmed, wide-eyed freshmen, we are now graduating in 2021 as strong, confident young adults,” McDonald said. “Collectively, we have the opportunity to determine the future of this planet, to determine what kind of world we want to live in and to determine how we can each make a difference.”