This week approximately 1000 teenagers graduated from Newton’s two high schools.

Last night’s Newton South graduation was a wonderful breath of fresh air.  Gathering together with a few thousand real and in-the-flesh people to celebrate our kids’ accomplishments and the end of this chapter of their lives was a real treat.  From the endless sea of smiles in that crowd – of students, teachers, family, and friends it was clear that this was an especially joyful public event after being locked away in our private worlds for the last 15 months.

Congratulations to all of Newton’s graduating seniors (including my own) and best of luck with whatever happens next on your life’s journey.

I’d like to give a special shout-out to my neighbor and friend Imani Fonfield, Newton South’s student speaker yesterday evening.  Imani gave a wonderful, poignant, and moving speech (starting at 16:20) about “home” – about her mother and her being homeless as she entered the Newton elementary schools and then realizing 12 years later she had found her “home” – at Newton South, in the community, and in the world.  Congrats to you Imani for delivering that wonderful and no doubt difficult speech.   Best of luck at Harvard.  They will be very lucky to have you.

Feel free to give a shout-out below to your favorite Newton graduate.