GREENFIELD — Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s 21 graduates were urged by speakers to “be a part of the conversation” and use their voices as the next generation of women leaders.
Commencement speaker and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee encouraged graduates to speak up and not let a lack of action define them.
“You will be challenged, you will be thrown left and right by different ideals and ideologies. Never allow yourselves to be judged on the basis of your silence,” Gbowee said. “You have something to say. Tell yourself, , # left single quote
‘’’: I have something to say.’”
Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist responsible for leading Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace that helped end the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003, added that the graduates can change the world with small actions as well.
“You don’t have to be extremely loud like some of us, but never be silent,” Gbowee said. “Step out and transform the world.”
Shelley Futter, registrar and assistant to the deans, told graduates during her opening remarks on Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic has made them “resilient, strong and well-deserving.”
“This may not be the traditional way to give a speech because our entire community is not here in person,” Futter said. “You have been forever made stronger and challenged by this unique time.”
Class President Yue Zhu, attending the ceremony through Zoom like half of the graduating class, said “maybe only fate can take the responsibility for half of the Class of 2021 being remote for this memorable event.”
The graduating class spans the globe, with graduates from as close as Greenfield to as far away as Shanghai, China. Six graduates are from Massachusetts, five of whom are from Franklin County. Two graduates are from New York while one is from New Jersey. One student hails from South Korea and the remaining 11 students are from various regions of China.
Despite the coronavirus separating them across continents, graduate Olamiposi Ajao said during her address that the class still found ways to connect with one another.
“Even with all of the difficulties, we made each other laugh, lifted one another up with texts and FaceTime calls, and we made it to this day,” Ajao said. “I know that I have a family in all of you.”
Before diplomas were awarded, a musical interlude featuring the school’s musicians was played over drone footage of the Greenfield campus.
Stories and experiences about each graduate were told as they were handed their diplomas, with students being described as coders, animators, musicians, thespians, athletes and leaders.
In her closing remarks, Futter told the graduates to believe in themselves and to help people around them because they are all “thinkers, doers and difference-makers.”
“Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your inner voice. Be a role model for others,” Futter said. “If you see someone being ignored, find a way to include them. Always remind people of their worth. One small act could mean the world to them.”
Olamiposi Ajao of Amherst; Rosa Newshore of Greenfield; Cassadie Scott of Erving; Kathryn (Kate) Swasey of South Deerfield; Serafina Walker of Greenfield; and Tessa Yohan of New Salem.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or at 413-930-4081.