William Hart – Supt. of Everett Public Schools Graduation Remarks

Good morning!  A heartfelt thank you to everyone for being here this morning. Thanks to

• Students, Families, and Faculty.
• The Platform Party: Mayor DeMaria, State Senator DiDomenico, and State Representatives Ryan, McGonagle, and Garcia
• School Committee Chairperson Jeanne Cristiano and the members of the Everett School Committee
• City Council President, Attorney Robert Van Campen, and the members of the Everett City Council

And, finally — thank you Mr. Lynch, for welcoming us here for this memorable occasion. I am honored to be standing here as Superintendent of the Everett Public Schools, with our amazing seniors, the faculty who prepared and mentored you academically and socially during your years at Everett High School, as well as our distinguished guests, administrators, and the staff who invested so much positive energy into preparing for today’s Graduation Exercises.

There is NO other gathering like this gathering. One in which our community is so fully represented, at the same time, in the same place, for the same reason — to celebrate you, the young men and women in caps and gowns who comprise the Everett High School Class of 2024.

You are surrounded by thousands of people who love you and care about you. Your parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, classmates — as well as the elected officials and distinguished guests seated behind me.

And, of course …

• The teacher who helped and guided you in ways only you can describe.
• The coach who motivated you to achieve more success than you knew possible.
• The educator who inspired you to reach your academic goals and college dreams, or who opened your eyes to a career.
• The club advisor who provided you with an outlet to express yourself.
• The Everett organization or business that awarded you a scholarship, or perhaps offered you an internship or a valuable work-place experience.
• The friends you shared your high school experience with.
• And, most importantly, the relatives and people who have loved you, cared for you, and championed you.

At no point during the other 364 days of the year can you find a better representation of the inherent goodness we hold as individuals, as a high school, as a school system, as a community, in this great city of Everett. Our strength is on full display — inside this stadium of champions. On this field, in these stands, on this stage. That strength will carry you forward as Everett High School graduates and it will propel us forward as a community.

Graduation Day embodies the awesome obligations and limitless possibilities of public education. As leaders and educators, we strive not only to educate and prepare you, but to inspire you. We want to serve as springboards, not merely stepping-stones, as you get ready to take on your next challenge — be it higher education, a career path, military service, the workforce, or a combination thereof.

You Are Ready!

In you, we see strong, intelligent, and thoughtful graduates. In us, I hope you see and feel the strength and admiration of an entire city — one that is not only happy for you but extremely proud of you.

Congratulations.

You Did It!