Newton North Class of 2017 Graduation: A Call To Action

NEWTON, MA — Newton North's Class of 2017 walked onto the field at the Newton North Stadium to Pomp and Circumstance as they have for years, wearing the classic graduation caps and gowns. As they turn the last page in the chapter of their high school careers they listened to advice from a city councilor, a school committee member a faculty member a student and their class president. The main theme: Listen, be curious, seek out differences and be the change they wish to see.

Then, with a handshake and a turn of the tassel and smiles plastering their faces, the graduates walked across the stage in the middle of that field with families looking on and cheering from the sidelines. They walked down the ramp and turned to place two feet on a marker in the grass, take one last photo and headed off. With a last pronunciation the cheers went off and - maybe some hats, too. And that was it.

If you heard the roar at Newton North Stadium that's because a couple hundred seniors just graduated from high school.

"Graduation shouldn't be a resting point," said student speaker Jordan Greene. "Let's keep moving forward," he said.

He was not the only speaker to call the graduates to action.

"The sky is not the limit, it's only the beginning. Go forward and #rocktheworld," said Newton School Committee member Angela Pitter-Wright.

And City Councilor Scott Lennon who just threw his hat in the ring to run for Newton Mayor advised students to come up with a strategy and act on it.

"Don't just settle on a course or path... execute it," he said, also taking a moment to remind students that the day was not only a huge accomplishment for them, but it was a pretty big day for their parents.

"It's probably one of the most fulfilling days of their lives, too," he said asking students to remember to take a second and thank them.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren, Superintendent of Schools David Fleishman, City Councilor Scott Lennon Faculty member Christopher (Chris) Murphy, and Senior Class President Emily Szeto also spoke.

Photos of Newton North Graduation 2017 by Jenna Fisher/Patch