PVMHS Senior Convocation - See pages 14 & 15 ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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PERMIT #67
Peabody, MA POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 2, No. 23
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www.advocatenews.net
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978-777-6397
Friday, June 9, 2017
The Pride of Peabody PVMHS graduates the Class of 2017 By Melanie Higgins
The sky's the limit! Last Friday, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School seniors took a momentous step in their lives and graduated from the school system they’ve called home for the past 13 years. Going forward, seniors will go to college, pursue a trade, serve in the military, or maybe take time off and pursue other avenues. This year’s class was composed of over 400 students from every kind of makeup. But no matter where they came from or where they were going, these young people were one thing on June 2 – graduates. Decked in splendid colors of blue and white, cheerful grads strode down the high school track in a victory lap to collect their diplomas. The mayor, superintendent of Schools and other city officials and dignitaries shook hands and posed with students for photos, who often embraced them in thanks for their support. Meanwhile, throngs of parents and family members, some clutching flowers, leaned against the chain-link fence, eager to catch a glimpse of their grad.
CONGRATS PHS CLASS OF 2017: In a moment of elation, over 400 Peabody Veterans Memorial High School graduates throw their caps in the air after a June 2 ceremony. See photo highlights on pages 11-13. (Advocate photo by Ross scabin)
“Having gotten to know so many of you, I am confident that the future is in excellent hands,” Mayor Ted Bettencourt said to the class earlier. The night before, Peabody’s
deserving students received honors for their hard work and dedication to serving their community and making it proud. At convocation, select students received awards
A Heart of Gold
for top grades, community service, leadership, athletic achievement and more. In keeping with tradition, the city also presented its top students with the George Pea-
body Medal, which it awards for the top eight students with the highest grade point average.
PRIDE | SEE PAGE 2
Lady Tanners fall in second game heartbreaker to Woburn, 10-7
Caring Peabody teen runs 50 races in 50 states for charity By Melanie Higgins Peabody has a hidden gem. Alyssa Shashaty, who earned her diploma from Peabody High School last Friday, has done what few others have – run 50 5k races in all 50 states in five years, and raising a fair bit of money for charity along the way. Shashaty has done a lot for others in her time as a resident, not least of which is her recent accomplishment of running races across the country to raise money for charity. She genuinely wants to help. The
GOLD | SEE PAGE 2
Alyssa Shashaty leafs through pages in her book commemorating her 50 runs.
Peabody’s Sarah Buckley beats a Lowell defender to the ball in last week’s opening-round playoff win. Buckley scored four times to help the Tanners to a 10-8 comeback victory against their 11th seed opponents. The Lady Tanners came up short in their subsequent challenge, however, falling to 3rd seed Woburn Saturday, 10-7. See story and photos inside on page 10. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps)