Dear Members of the Class of 2020, 

Upon your graduation from high school, I would like to offer you my heartfelt congratulations. 

I'd also like to offer you some thoughts as you transition from high school students to adults. 

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First, from my perspective as your former teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed our time in the classroom together. You were earnest and dedicated students. You came to class curious and with the expectation to learn. 

You greeted me each day with warm smiles and upbeat attitudes. 

I have had the pleasure of teaching many wonderful students over many years at a number of different schools, I am being completely sincere when I say that as a group your class really is special. You are lucky to have had each other as classmates. You were consistently pleasant and respectful. You were kind and thoughtful. You often showed me a level of appreciation that I will never forget.

Even when you may not have always been at your best (and let's face it, no one if perfect) you quickly corrected yourself and got back on track. This is an important virtue.

You have a clear sense of right and wrong - never lose sight of that. 

 

If you don't mind reading a little bit more, I'd like to offer some thoughts, just person to person rather than teacher to student.

 

You've probably turned 18 by now (or you certainly will soon). By turning 18 (what an appropriate number) you have become full citizens. I urge you to take this serisously. Any society is only at it's best when the citizenry is educated, informed, engaged, and active. Your generation has had thrust upon you a series of events of historical significance. You have been presented with difficult circumstances and now you have a choice of how to respond.

While you were learning history, I'm sure there were times when you marvelled at the courage of those who responded to difficult circumstances with conviction and fortitude.

Now it's your turn. You have choices to make,

I implore you to make these choices with the same sense of characeter that has sustained you, thus far. Make every effort to educate yourselves, to be well informed, open minded, thoughtful, compassionate, and caring.

Empathy and humility are two important character traits that I have seen in you. Keep those traits alive and well in your daily lives. And in this vein, have the conviction to move forward and to do what you think is right. I am confident you will rise to the occasion.   

When we run into each other in the future (and I'm sure that we will), know that I will be happy to see you. I wish each one of you nothing but the best. Keep close to your hearts your faith, family, and the joys for the many blessings of this world and you can't go wrong.

Finally, continue to develop a lifelong love of learning and you will continuously be rewarded. 

With love and gratitude for our continued friendship,

Mr. Lupinacci

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Post Script:  I'm sorry these pictures are not as comprehensive as I would have liked. Apparently I took a lot more pictures when you were freshmen then when you were sophomores, but I did not have the intention of short-changing the Accelerated Algebra II class or the sophomore Geometry class. I had a great time with all of you - we learned a lot and had a lot of laughs - the best of both worlds.  

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