A vocation, Old Colony Superintendent Aaron Polansky told Old Colony's graduating seniors, is more than just a job. "It's a calling, a mission, a purpose."

He encouraged the graduating seniors at Old Colony Vocational Technical School to follow their passions, whatever they might be.

He also gave tough words of advice. "Wanting something and working are two different things," he told the assembled seniors. "The world owes you nothing."

The tough part out of the way, he also caused laughter in the audience, doing something he's quickly become popular for amongst students: singing. On the heels of his popular snow-day cancellation cover of "Hallelujah", he covered "Don't Blink," originally sung by Kenny Chesney. Polansky's lyrics included phrases like, "You might just see your friendships change a lot, I did..."

Old Colony's English teacher Gina Despres, meanwhile, covered the importance of empathy. "Empathy means that you can look at someone who is nothing like you in every way - race, religion, background or political ideology - and still be interested in who they are and what they have to say." She encouraged the students to continue their empathy for others as they left for their next destinations.

Valedictorian and Class President Paul Soucy felt he didn't quite have the words to express himself at such a pivotal moment. "It was very hard to write this," he admitted. "The fact that we're graduating today has left me speechless." He thanked Old Colony's teachers and coaches, as well as the parents in the audience, for pushing the students. "Under your guidance, any aspiration of ours is a reality."

The class of 2017 included 132 graduates from Acushnet, Carver, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett and Rochester.