Congratulations, MHS Class of 2008!

Happy Medford High School graduates leave Tufts University’s Gantcher Center after their graduation ceremony on Thursday night.

Mayor Michael McGlynn made the following remarks at the Medford High School graduation at Tufts University’s Gantcher Center on Thursday, June 5, 2008:

Superintendent Belson, Headmaster Krueger, Vocational Director Mahoney, fellow School Committee members, faculty, family members and the class of 2008. It is with great pleasure that I bring to you the congratulations and best wishes of all the citizens of Medford upon the occasion of your high school graduation!

You now enter a world that is far different from that of your parents’. Today’s world is marred by terrorism, discontent, war, and conflict. As an American, much is expected of you. As an American, you are the shining example of how the education of our youth is so important to the future of this country. As President Kennedy once said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our most fundamental resource.”

Each of you holds within yourselves unique qualities that can benefit the future of our planet. You must set goals for yourselves, take responsibility for your actions, learn from your mistakes, and finally never give up on your dreams. You can attain your goals as long as you are willing to work hard for them.

Now, more than ever, the world yearns for young leaders who will have a positive effect upon the future destiny of us all. We look to you to help to improve the quality of life for all people. We look to you to tackle the difficult challenges and to use them as opportunities for constructive change.

Your graduation brings you to a new stage in your life, a stage filled with so many choices and possibilities. As the famous writer, e.e. cummings once said, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Some of you may choose the medical field where you will try to eradicate AIDS or cancer or autoimmune diseases from this world, while some of you may choose the environmental field where you will work to put an end to global warming. Some of you may enter the public safety world where you will work to keep all people safe, or the enter the educational field, and become the teachers of tomorrow, and some of you will choose international relations where you may help to work towards a more peaceful enviroment for all. Every generation has the moral obligation to improve upon and provide better opportunites for the next generation. Whatever you do, make sure you give it your all! Remember, those who will not lead, will be led. Your education should not end upon receipt of your diploma; rather learning should be an ongoing process.

As I look out, I see in your faces the mirrored hopes and dreams for the future of our city, state and nation. You are wonderful examples of the american spirit. It is up to you to use that spirit to influence the future of our great country and in some measure this world. You may have to think outside of your comfort zone in order to make a difference in this world. While at Medford High, you received a special gift, it is called “Mustang pride”…that blue and white that runs through your veins. “Mustang pride” means you have self-respect, confidence and a belief in all that is good.

You are off to a great start! May the future bring you much success and happiness! Thank you and God bless the USA!