Sunshine, excitement,
and joy filled the air

Many unforgettable moments were added to the collection of memories for the Class of 1999-memories that will be cherished on their journey through life.

Commencement festivities began on Friday, May 21, with the Baccalaureate Mass, which was highlighted by the phenomenal performance of the Assumption College Chorale. Later in the evening, students and their families sat by candlelight and enjoyed the Baccalaureate Dinner in the Plourde Center. Senior leadership awards were bestowed, and the crowd was touched by the emotional and heartfelt speech delivered by Senior Class President Aida Lembo.

"For just a moment, I want you all to take a look around you. Go ahead. Take a look. Look at these faces that you didn't know just a short time ago. The ones who helped you when you were sick, who stayed up and talked with you even though they had an exam in the morning. The ones who picked you up when you tripped and made sure that you would never fall. The faces who you can call your friends. The friends who are hurting just as much as you are right now. Remember these faces and that the love they feel for you is greater than the distance between you, because love goes with you no matter where you are. And even though we might not have the face, the memories will always be treasured in our hearts."

Commencement day radiated emotion and enthusiasm. The commencement speaker, Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, Jane M. Swift, received an honorary degree as did Reverend Richard Ryscavage, S.J., the executive director of the Office of Migration and Refugee Services, for his extraordinary efforts in the worldwide Catholic community. Kate Hoey, Class of '99 valedictorian, imparted a profound and illuminating speech that inspired and provided guidance for her fellow classmates.

"Over the last four years, you may think that you have read every word ever written and have typed into papers every word in the dictionary. But there are always those key words you hear over and over again-words to remember-words to live by. Here at Assumption College, three words guide us: Learn, Achieve, and Contribute. Now if we take these words and put them into action, they will tell the story of our education. YESTERDAY, WE LEARNED. TODAY, WE ACHIEVE. TOMORROW WE CONTRIBUTE. This is simply how a character education is built-one step at a time, one word at a time.

However, as we slowly come to realize, life is not this simple. There comes a time when we have to demonstrate the character which developed all through our school years. Knowledge will give us the strength to do this. A Catholic education will give us the moral strength to get through it by guiding us with three more words: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now we can take these words and add them to our character story. YESTERDAY, WE LEARNED THE WAY. TODAY, WE ACHIEVE THE TRUTH. AND TOMORROW, WE CONTRIBUTE TO LIFE."