MORE GRADUATION PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
HADLEY — After taking his place behind the podium at the Hopkins Academy graduation Friday, Michael Burgess took an unusual approach as guest speaker.
“I feel kind of awkward because my speech is geared toward you guys,” the Hopkins middle school math teacher began, referring to the soon-to-be graduates sitting behind him.
So Burgess spent the rest of his time on stage turned away from the audience and looking into the eyes of the 54 Hopkins seniors, some of those ears teary, many of whom he taught and mentored several years earlier. His address took the form of one of the intimate conversations he’s known for – having been a “rock” to many students during their six years at Hopkins, according to graduate Abigail Gardiner.
“He’s the man we would all go to when we were in a pickle or just needed a pick-me-up,” Gardiner said, when introducing Burgess. “Thank you for being so down-to-earth with us.”
Burgess’ soft-spoken words centered on the importance of love and openness.
“I want to thank you guys for your energy … the honesty you bring with you in your eyes – not just with your words, your love and even your naughty tendencies that you all have from time to time,” he said.
Love, Burgess said, is the most important asset the young men and women have.
“Take your love with you. Use it. Use it as your shield, as your weapon. To drop others’ defenses. To enrich your life and to enrich the lives of others,” he said. “I love you guys – congratulations.”
The graduates’ academic, athletic and artistic achievements were also touted during the ceremony.
Principal Brian Beck pointed above the balloons and streamers that decorated the Hopkins gym to the many banners that celebrated the school’s athletic successes. In addition to helping win some of those titles, the Hopkins class of 2016 enjoyed the greatest percentage increase in their math MCAS scores in the entire state, Beck said.
Beck said the students’ resilience and work ethic will bring them success. “Your ability to handle and overcome failure is what will set you apart,” he said.
Two-thirds of the graduates were presented with local scholarship awards Friday and many of them received several prizes.
Class Treasurer Jennifer Marion Moss won 12 individual scholarships, the greatest number of any of her peers. Her awards include $2,000 from the Hopkins trustees as well as awards recognizing her achievements in band and in French, math and English classes.
In his remarks, valedictorian Thomas Kowal Safron said that the academic and extracurricular excellence achieved by the class was a result of hard work and a lot of support from parents. “All of you have done so much for each and every one of us,” he said.
Though parents did everything from offering sage counsel to acting as “five-star chauffeurs,” Kowal Safron said that there are other people to thank.
“The most important people we on the stage have to thank is ourselves,” he said.
Kowal Safron challenged his fellow graduates to be mindful of the need to act as global citizens and to go forward and help others. “I have faith that my classmates can go out and take what Hopkins Academy has given them and make the world a better place,” he said.
Class President Emily Young offered what might be considered a startling piece of advice for the young millennials.
“As we move forward, let’s remember three principles – be yourself, do what makes you happy and put the cell phone down,” she said.
Documenting every moment on Instagram or complaining on Twitter can cause one to lose sight of what’s important, Young said.
“I’m not saying cut technology completely out of your life,” she said. “Just remember that life is short and to live in the moment … like our time at Hopkins has taught us, time flies.”
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.