Arlington Catholic's Graduates Ready For Tomorrow's Challenges

For graduate Abigail Horgan, the feeling of the first hello as a freshman at is the same as the feeling of her last goodbye as a senior.

Horgan, valedictorian of the class of 2011, told her classmates at graduation on Friday that the feeling is of fear, uncertainty of what the future may bring the new graduates. But she is ready.

“Embark on the journey with confidence,” Horgan told her classmates. “Know that we are ready for whatever life can throw at us.”

On Friday, friends, teachers and family members packed Bentley University’s Dana Athletic Center in Waltham. Some yelled when their graduates walked on stage. Others shed a few tears.

Graduates walked proudly up front, donning blue robes and smiles. Some wore sashes and pins coming clubs and activities, medals of their accomplishments at Arlington Catholic.

Commencement speaker Peter Filichia, a theater critic, reminded graduates of how fast life passes by. It looked as if he had just walked across a similar stage himself, he said.

“I was a graduate in ‘64 and now I am 64,” said Filichia, an Arlington Catholic High School graduate. “It went fast, kids. It always does.”

Filichia challenged graduates to use this summer to get internships and meet people in the field they want to pursue. Though it sounds crazy, he said, working for free could be the best thing the class of 2011 could do right now.

“Some people say, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’” Filichia said. “I’m here to tell you that’s not really true. It’s what you know and whom you know. Yes, it is. If you know somebody, you may be able to get a good job. But if you don’t know anything, you’re going to get fired.”

Salutatorian Lia Tamburello reminded her classmates that high school was not without its struggles. “As we have overcome these obstacles, we have learned more about ourselves and just how strong we are,” she said.

And though some struggles are beyond anyone’s control, Tamburello said, “Remember we can choose our attitudes and actions in response to them.”

“We must not get discouraged when things get tough,” she added. “We must persevere.”

Principal Stephen Biagioni had a few last words of advice to his graduates.

“Go forward. Make good choices. Follow your dreams,” he said. “And as you do so, always act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.”

—Check back after 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 29, for a photo gallery capturing more moments from Friday's graduation.