Spirit of the Class of 2024

An aspiring boxer made himself known as a jolly, energetic student whose signature moment was doing cartwheels to entertain and inspire his Saugus High Classmates 

By Mark E. Vogler

Elias Joseph Diaz probably had more fun than anyone in the Saugus High School graduating Class of 2024 during last week’s senior activities – doing cartwheels at will – going head over heels in his graduation gown.

He did it on stage at the Saugus High School Scholarship and Academic /Services Awards Night on May 29.

And he did it again two nights later on the turf of Christie Serino Jr. Memorial Stadium, minutes before the opening processional Pomp and Circumstances March to begin the 153rd Commencement Exercises.

And after receiving his diploma on stage, he did it for an encore, to the surprise of Superintendent Michael Hashem and Saugus High School Principal Brendon Sullivan.

Diaz said that was his special way to make graduation night and graduation week memorable.

Diaz listed his after graduation plans to study Physical Therapy at Salem State University.

“Next year, I want to go to Salem State online so I can travel and train for martial arts,” he told The Saugus Advocate last Friday.

The cartwheels come easy to Diaz, who participated in wrestling and wants to become a boxer.

“I do it in the hallways and everything, whenever I feel like it,” Diaz said.

His superintendent and principal smile, but don’t say much about the cartwheels. They both looked uneasy when Diaz did one on stage after receiving his diploma.

Hashem is thrilled to see the spirit of the Saugus High Class of 2024 and remarked about it during his commencement speech last Friday.

“You have had many memorable events, but the one that will stand out for me the most occurred just the other day,” Hashem said.

“Wednesday night at the awards night, I was truly impressed with your classes’ excitement and support of one another as you claimed scholarships and awards. It was a wonderful evening and I was so pleased to see everyone sharing such an amazing moment,” he said.

Diaz got his classmates cheering loudly when he went up on the stage in the High School auditorium and did a cartwheel after receiving his Scholarship Award.

The crowd loved and expressed their approval.