Patrick Sweeney thought he ranked third in his class when he graduated with 227 of his classmates from Holyoke High School North on June 4. As he was preparing to register for college classes at HCC recently, however, he discovered his high school records were not complete. One of his high school courses was inadvertently not logged in his high school transcripts due to a clerical omission. After he contacted the school to correct his records, he learned his final GPA was actually higher than previously calculated—earning him the title of co-salutatorian for the HHS North Class of 2023.
“While we all regret he was not able to stand in front of his classmates during their commencement ceremony in June to deliver his salutatorian address, we are thrilled that he is willing to do so today,” said HHS North Principal Lori McKenna before Patrick gave his speech to an assembly of family, friends, and school staff on Tuesday, July 18. It may have been six weeks after the fact, but his heartfelt sentiments resonated with his audience.
“Patrick’s transcript is truly impressive,” Mrs. McKenna said in her welcoming remarks. “He is a member of the Performing and Media Arts Academy. He has a passion for writing and wants to make a career out of this passion. He led the work of The Herald and the Annual while a student at North. He also took several courses through our Early College Program as well as Advanced Placement Classes. He is leaving Holyoke High School with enough college credits to complete his associate’s degree at HCC in just over a year. Patrick is the epitome of positivity, and he is beloved by his classmates and the faculty of HHS.”