Gloucester Alumni

By Douglas A. Moser
Staff writer, Gloucester Daily Times

Graduating senior Fitz Lufkin faced the sometimes daunting task of performing an annual ritual while trying to be original. So like many public speakers, he talked about himself, calling on his classmates to become active citizens.
"I've been active (in the community) and I wanted to get people thinking about being active," he said following yesterday afternoon's commencement.

In his valedictorian's speech at Newell Stadium, Lufkin invoked former President Thomas Jefferson, former South African President Nelson Mandela and Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci to urge his classmates, as they leave the island, some for good, to be "active and participating citizens."

As 333 seniors said goodbye to Gloucester High School, on the best day anyone could ask for, some of their younger friends wondered what next year would be like.

"It's exciting, and I'm proud of them. But it'll be my turn next year to graduate. It's a lot of nerves," said Travis Ellyson, who will be a senior in the fall, as he sat on the field with the remainder of the high school band.

The seniors' friends who will return next year took the opportunity to tease their classmates during the ceremony.

"It's good to see them make it, even the ones you never thought would," said a chuckling Angelo Ingaharro, who will be a junior.

For many parents who lined the fence and packed the bleachers under a clear cobalt sky, the day was as transformative for them as it was for their children.

"It's like coming back from Vietnam: I'm in shock," said William Stewart, who went to see his son Andrew graduate. "It's the greatest day of my life. It was a lot of pushing, but there's a reason for it. You can't go anywhere without a diploma."

Jim Spilman, whose daughter Lisa graduated yesterday, agreed.

"She's done tremendously well," he said of Lisa. "She's had her ups and downs, but she graduated with highest honors and won scholarships. I'm very proud of her."

Seniors gathered after the ceremony in clusters around the field, posing for pictures with family and friends, and said the reality of what had happened was just sinking in.

"It doesn't feel real," said Kaley Marston, who is starting at UMass Amherst this fall, but has not decided on a major. "I'll miss the whole class together. Everybody is pretty connected throughout our school years, not just in high school."

"It was nerve-racking to actually know that it's me," said Susan Garron, who plans to study military law this fall at North Shore Community College, and eventually at Endicott College in Beverly. "But now I feel great and a lot of relief."

And then it was over, by about 3 p.m., when all the names were read and all the air horns were bled dry. Rose petals littered the field and the sweet smell of cigars, brought by some seniors to celebrate their achievement, hung in the air as families and friends poured from the homeside stands past the fence.

The grounds crew swooped in to pick up the seniors' chairs and helpers collected the gowns - maroon for the men and white for the women - all to be tucked away until next June.