The Tupper Lake Middle-High School’s graduation ceremony packed the gymnasium to the brim, as family and friends gathered to celebrate the class’ achievements and hard work before the district’s newest alumni embark on their next chapter in life.

Undoubtedly, the next chapter will be unique for each student — and that’s something to embrace. It was something Middle-High School Principal Chris Savage spoke to the graduates about in his remarks.

“As you leave high school and begin your next chapter — college, work, travel or just taking time to figure things out — you’ll be pulled in many directions,” he said. “You’ll be encouraged to look ahead, to move quickly, faster and keep chasing the next big event. But don’t forget those simple truths we talked about way back when. Now matters. The people in front of you matter. And doing good, even in small ways, matters.”

It was a full-circle moment of sorts for Savage, who was in his first year as Middle-High School principal. He was previously a teacher, and taught many of the graduating seniors — when they were in fourth grade — something that he said made speaking to them Friday extra special.

Samantha Flagg receives her diploma from Board of Education President Jane Whitmore at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“Here’s something I sincerely hope you will remember: Come home from time to time,” he said. “This small mountain town may seem quiet compared to where you’re going, but it gave you something special. These mountains surrounded your childhood. They gave you room to grow up with a little more space, a little more freedom and a strong sense of mind. In a way, they protected your childhood just by being there.

“So come back to walk the trails that feel like old friends,” he said. “Come back to see the people who cheer for you long before they knew where you’d end up. Come back and see your old high school principal, who will always be interested in what you’ve been up to and all the incredible things you’ve accomplished.”

Class President Jack LaQuay said his title was more than just that — it was a chance to get to know his classmates better. He spoke of the power that humor and laughter have to connect with people, get to know them better or simply just brighten a tough day someone has been having.

“I’ve come to know you by the sound of your laughter,” he said. “That’s how I remember people. Not by what they wore or their GPA, but by the way their laughs cut through a stressful day. You made me laugh too, constantly. … I’ve kind of made it my mission to sneak a little bit of humor into every conversation, not because I crave attention (LaQuay smiled and paused and laughter broke out) … but mostly because I know how powerful that can be.”

Salutatorian Campbell Casagrain said while high school is sometimes called “the good old days,” she wanted her classmates to keep the perspective of living in the moment with them into adulthood, and that in turn will help to ensure that their juncture in life right now isn’t leaving the good old days in the rear-view mirror, but the start of something even better.

Tupper Lake Central School graduate Addison Brown blows bubbles at the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“I don’t want high school to just be the best time of our lives,” she said. “I think these years get called ‘the good old days’ because they were fully present in the moment. What I mean by that is that we’re not overthinking every move. We’re not constantly worrying about the future. We are just there — laughing, trying, growing up, messing up and learning from our mistakes and people around us. My parents have always told me not to stress too much, and that’s something I really hope we can all take into the future.”

Valedictorian Emma Kavanagh encouraged her classmates not to let other people’s expectations drive their choices, and that in order to live a fulfilling life, one just has to stay true to what makes them happy.

“You don’t have to change the world. You don’t have to win awards or impress anyone,” she said. “You just have to live a life in a way that feels meaningful to you. Be yourself, be awkward, be weird, be loud, be cringe, take photos of your food that no one will ever see, sing in the shower. … You don’t have to leave a mark on this world. You don’t owe anyone greatness. You just need to live a life that feels like yours because you owe yourself happiness. I don’t have any wisdom, I’ve barely started living myself, but that’s my advice.”

This year’s guest speaker was Adam Boudreau. A Tupper Lake Central School District alumni, he now serves as the President of Kentile Excavating and serves as a trustee for the Adirondack Community Foundation. He provided the graduating class with a number of principles that have served him well in life. His first was that people are important.

“Without someone to share it with, success is nonexistent,” he said. “It’s why we do what we do.”

Campbell Casagrain rises to give the 2025 salutatory address at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. At right is 2025 valedictorian Emma Kavanagh. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Boudreau said that the hard work of earlier generations gave him the opportunity to start a bit higher on the ladder than some, and it was his obligation, in turn, to ensure that generations after him start even higher.

“Support the people who supported you in the wider world,” he said. “Be kind and understanding, and if you are doing well, reach down and help somebody else up.”

Another principle was to learn how to work through, literally and figuratively, adversity. He said that one time when he was a teenager, he had driven back to Tupper Lake late one night from New Jersey. The next morning, he called his boss — his uncle and then-owner of Kentle Excavating, Bill Kentile — to let him know he would be taking the day off to catch up on his sleep after the long trip. Kentile told Boudreau that if he wasn’t there in 10 minutes, he wouldn’t have a job. Boudreau made it to work that day.

“It’s an important lesson and his response probably changed my life,” he said. “You are going to have to learn how to work — tired, sore, hurt and sick. When our company assembles for work before 6 in the morning, there is no such thing as a no-show, and we have never had to develop a company policy on missed days.”

He said that, like it or not, the world will not stop and pause to consider excuses, problems or deficiencies people have. Rather, it will keep on moving. The personal choices that people then make, with that reality in mind, will determine the quality of life they are subsequently able to enjoy.

Senior members of the chorus sing at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Boudreau said that when stress inevitably presents itself, the best thing one could do is to finish up their day, turn off their phone, stay hydrated and eat a healthy dinner before getting a full eight hours of sleep.

“That is the human equivalent of a hard reset,” he said. “I guarantee you wake up the following morning with a new lease on life.”

Boudreau recommended being deliberate about who one spends their time with, and seeking out those who are driven and live purposeful lives, while avoiding friend groups who are consumed by drama and infighting. And when one is brought down by bad circumstances, a skeptic, cynic or a bully? Boudreau said the only backup plan that’s needed is to get back up.

“You smile, you kill them with kindness and then you simply outwork them,” he said. “You hustle. You grind. You do not take your foot off the gas. When the dust settles and you’re still standing, they may or may not come to like you — but they will certainly respect you.”

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Sadie Tower, left, and Eli Dukett give introductory remarks at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

See more graduation photos at https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2025/06/tri-lakes-high-school-graduations/

Sarah Higgins receives her diploma from Board of Education President Jane Whitmore at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Guest speaker Adam Boudreau, a Tupper Lake High School alum and President of Kentile Excavating, speaks at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Kyler McClain receives his diploma from Board of Education President Jane Whitmore at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Tupper Lake Central School graduate Jaeda Wigley is embraced by her family at the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Carsyn Maroun receives his diploma from Board of Education Member Mary Ellen Chamberlain at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School graduation on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Members of the Tupper Lake Central School’s Class of 2025 throw their caps into the air at the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)