June 2006
Address to the Class of 2006
Senior Class President, Weston Sacco

"Dr. Palermo, members of the School Committee, faculty, parents, family, and friends.  We could not have made it to this milestone in our lives without your guidance.  Through our years at LHS, we have all of you to thank for leaving us truly inspired.

Yet my greatest inspiration is my brother Reid.  It was just three years ago, in this same place, on a night like this one, that my brother Reid and his classmates were receiving their deplomas.  They were headed out into the world to build on the results of all their hard work here at Lynnfield High.  But my brother was also heading into a battle with cancer and a battle for his life.  Two years later, my brother tragically lost that batte.

Reid was an outstanding student, a talented musician, and a friend to all at LHS.  But what is most impressive to me now is that although he had only a little time on this earth, that time speaks volumes about how he valued each and every moment and opportunity.  He made the most of every chance to learn, grow, and improve.  It was as if he knew that sometimes there is no such thing as "next time".  As it turned out, Reid ran out of "next times" and was not given the chance to reach his full potential. 

But each of us does have that chance.  Each of us must make the most of every chance to learn, grow, and improve.  Each of us has the duty to continue to learn throughout our lives so that we can reach the peak of our success in whatever field we pursue.  We have a duty to continue to challenge ourselves to reach our physical and intellectual potentials.  Each of us has the obligation to make the most of the chance we have been given to make our mark in the world.  This obligation is ours because we are all fortunate enough to be here tonight, with our opportunities ahead of us.

We also have the natural birthright to be happy.  Happiness can simply be hanging out with friends, relaxing at the beach, or going to a movie.  But happiness is also overcoming that challenge that you once thought was impossible.  It can be that feeling that comes when you have helped a friend or stanger in need.  It is the feeling that comes in knowing that you are faithful to yourself and to your friends.  Happiness can be found in almost every aspect of your life if you only let it.  So find it.  Make it important in your lives and for those around you.

Our years in Lynnfield have built upon our potentials to grow and expand.  We are at a critical point in our lives:  the present.  For this is our time.  This is our time to begin achieving our full potential.  Especially if we are willing to make the most of each and every moment and opportunity.

So let us make a commitment to ourselves that we will do whatever it takes to make sure that in five, ten, or fifty years from now we will be able to look back at those years with pride.  Let us live each day as if there may not be a next time.  Only when you appreciate each moment in life are you truly living.

At Lynnfield High, a zest for life and a need to reach our full potentials have become defining characteristics of the class of 2006.  As we make the transition to the next chapter in our lives, we must expand upon these characteristics.  There is no stopping us from realizing our full potentials by immersing ourselves in all that life has to offer.

I am not sure if the world outside Lynnfield is ready for us, but we are certainly ready for it.  Fellow graduates of the class of 2006, let's make our mark on the world!

Thank you."