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Commencement 2009 where Auerbach revealed, “You are going to be very successful one day, but that success won’t come as a Boston Celtic. You will find something else to do and you will be very good at it.” Flynn said, “I gave it my best shot, but I simply wasn’t good enough…so I went to church and prayed to God, who directed me toward a life of helping people who need a voice. You may not be able to achieve all your goals in life or succeed in ways you hoped, but stay close to God and He will help you. Your life can still be very successful and satisfying. ” Class Valedictorian Dan Flanigan got a laugh from the audience when he spoke of his arrival at School as a Third Former: “I thought I’d made a mistake when I realized I had to be in Latin class at 8:15 on that first Saturday morning.” Dan also quoted Pope John Paul II when he reminded his classmates of all they had all learned from their four years at Portsmouth: “‘Be not afraid.’ Have the courage to dare, to get out there and try things. You will succeed and you will fail – many times– but it will be how you deal with both of these that will define who you are.” He closed by stating, “Portsmouth Abbey has prepared us well. We have made friends for life that we can call upon whenever we need them…someone will always be there for you, to lend a helping hand. Cherish your friendships, and always have the courage to dare.”
Complete transcripts of all Commencement 2009 speeches, as well a full listing of Prize Day awards can be found on our Website at www.portsmouthabbey.org/page/3044
Top: Peter Flanigan ‘41 (left) and teacher J. Clifford Hobbins following commencement exercises Middle: Dom Ambrose Wolverton, O.S.B. (left) and Dom Christopher Davis, O.S.B. enjoy the commencement address Bottom: The Flanigan-Skakel clan (from left) Teresa Flanigan ‘06, Peter Skakel (with his thumbs up), Megan Skakel, Harry Skakel ‘11, Kate Skakel, Michael Flanigan, graduates Dan Flanigan and Susan Skakel, George Skakel, Thea Flanigan, Patrick Flanigan, Luba Dumenco Flanigan, Nicholas Flanigan, Tim Flanigan’75, Peter Flanigan ‘41, and Luba’s mom Pierrette Dumenco.
summer BULLETIN 2009
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