Mayor Dominick Pangallo Addresses Salem High School Class of 2023

On June 2, 2023 Mayor Dominick Pangallo addressed the graduating Salem High School Class of 2023 at their commencement celebration. The full text of Mayor Pangallo's remarks to the graduates is below.

Teachers and staff, family and caregivers, fellow public servants, distinguished guests, and, of course, to the Class of 2023: welcome and thank you for the privilege of being able to speak with you on this momentous day.

There’s an old saying: you break it, you buy it. But that’s not always true. Sometimes, we buy things we didn’t break. When you walk across this stage and down those stairs, you’re buying into a world that needs a lot of mending. A world with a climate in crisis and tremendous inequities. With an economy pitted against you and a society up-ended by a historic pandemic.

It’s a world you’re being asked to buy into – but it’s not one you broke.

It’s not fair of any of us to ask it of you, but you are the generation to meet this moment. Whether your future path is to higher education, a career, a family, service to our nation, you’re rising to it.

As I look around this room tonight, as I hear from your teachers and family and friends about all that you’ve accomplished to get to this point, I’m certain, I’m inspired, and I’m moved: you are the future that can set it right. You have the capacity, the passion, and the power to change our world.

I only ask three things of you as you step up to this occasion.

First, step up with confidence that your city, that Salem, will always have your back. Whether you grew up here or you’re new to our city, this is your hometown and we always will be.

Second, stay optimistic. When you have a tough decision to make, have the mindset that doesn’t ask yourself “What’s the worst that could happen?” - instead, ask yourself, “What’s the best that could happen?”

Last, give yourself grace and permission to fail. Give yourself space and second chances and permission to make new mistakes, and then give those to the people around you, as well. Be kind to yourself and to those in your life.

To the Class of 2023: you’ve endured much. You’ve persevered through incredible challenges. And you’ve earned this. Thank you for the honor to be able to join you for this momentous day, and, on behalf of the City of Salem, congratulations!