Monomoy Grads Reminded Of Value Of Humanity

HARWICH – In a competitive age when personal success might be seen as only coming at the expense of others, and when artificial intelligence threatens to displace individual creative thought, Monomoy Regional High School graduates heard an important reminder at Saturday’s commencement exercises: value humanity.

Principal Jen Police urged graduates to nurture their relationships, encouraging and cherishing the people around them.

“In a world that often praises independence, it is important to remember that interdependence is not a weakness, but a strength,” she said.

In his address to the Class of 2025, Superintendent of Schools Scott Carpenter recalled the moments when his life was changed by technological advances, in light of a New York Times Magazine article that indicated that many of today’s college students will be relying on artificial intelligence to do coursework.

“In high school, I didn’t have a Chromebook, the internet, Google or ChatGPT. I had to go to the library and actually open books to do research papers,” he said. “I had to write those papers on my own without prompts from AI, and was required to use a typewriter.”

Acknowledging that AI is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool in many fields, Carpenter said he worries that society might be “beginning to lose sight of the intellectual and personal benefits of a productive struggle.” Learning isn’t about finding the right answer every time; it is a journey of understanding fueled “by making mistakes. And in doing so, it fosters greater resilience and problem solving skills,” he said. Carpenter urged graduates to take pride in their future work and make it fully their own.

“Today marks a huge change in each of our lives,” Valedictorian Lucy Bates told her classmates. With nervousness and excitement, graduates say goodbye to familiar friends and surroundings and begin a new chapter. “We’re all growing up. We aren’t the little kids getting on the bus anymore. We’re young adults with so much more ahead of us.” Each member of the Class of 2025 had different experiences growing up, and while she worked hard to graduate at the top of her class, “this moment, this award, this title, it doesn’t define me,” she said. With each graduate writing their own story and experiencing high school differently, many more formative experiences are ahead.

“I want you all to remember that this is our only life,” Bates said. “You can challenge yourself and also take the time to laugh and have fun. Some people burn themselves out chasing success and they forget to enjoy life.”

Salutatorian Emily Layton urged her classmates to remember something else: the power of showing up. On days when getting out of bed seemed like an accomplishment, she and her classmates persevered, showing up consistently and making a best effort. Doing so builds character and helps a person to build a life, Layton said. Success isn’t about achieving awards and titles. “It’s about effort, persistence, the quiet decision every day to keep on trying.”

In choosing a single word to describe the Class of 2025 in his student address, Tamer Khalil chose “mosaic.” Some students were part of a group, others were individuals, “yet every piece put together formed what some believe is the best class to pass through Monomoy,” he said.

Class President Paige Nash passed on some advice she’s heard throughout her life: be the bigger person. Doing so means forgiving others or apologizing when at fault, she said. “The Golden Rule is radical. It asks you to show love in a world that doesn’t always offer it back. It is about choosing empathy when it would be easier to be petty,” Nash said. “You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to have it all figured out; none of us do. But if you can walk out of this school into the next chapter of life and choose to live by the Golden Rule, you’re already doing more than most.”

The commencement ceremony, held indoors because of inclement weather, included musical presentations from the high school select choir, the Reflection Awards given by students to noteworthy teachers, and the Ad Lucem awards. And with a proclamation by the superintendent, the 152 members of the Class of 2025 turned their tassels and became Monomoy alumni.