Heavey’s Baccalaureate Farewell

As Tabor’s 2024 Baccalaureate Ceremony approaches, the School by the Sea prepares to welcome a distinguished and familiar voice to the podium. English Teacher John Heavey has been invited to deliver the traditional speech, one that he notes will resonate with the fabric of tradition and the spirit of giving. With a blend of excitement and respect for the gravity of the occasion, Heavey is poised to provide an address steeped in emotion and expectation.

Mindful of the ceremonious weight of Baccalaureate, Heavey acknowledges the seriousness of this spiritually tinged event. “This is a high-stakes situation,” he notes, recalling the powerful speeches of predecessors, including parents of alumni and retired faculty members. These individuals have set a high bar, with their speeches, bringing a sense of community and legacy to the ceremony. In the light of their profound messages, Heavey contemplates the weight of his own words, aspiring to offer the graduating seniors something memorable and significant as they stand on the precipice of a new chapter in life. “What do you tell a graduating senior as they're going out the door?” He ponders, adding with laugh, “Something they can kind of catch hold of and maybe remember from more than a half hour or so.”

Known for his engaging narratives, Heavey intends to weave a story that will captivate and inspire. He admires the simple yet impactful speeches of past speakers, like Former English and Drama Teacher Mark Howland’s anecdote-laden homage to caring for others. “He told a wonderful story about his father to segue into a wonderful yet simple speech about taking care of others. It really was a very important thing.” Such narratives have not only shaped Tabor's Baccalaureate history but also left indelible impressions on its community.

This year's Baccalaureate holds personal resonance for Heavey as he, too, is in transition, retiring alongside the graduating class. This parallel journey amplifies the significance of his message, as he prepares to set the tone for the final, earnest moments of Tabor's graduation festivities.

Reflecting on the space where this speech is delivered, Heavey fondly remembers the Wickenden Chapel. “There have been so many different moments in the Chapel. Very sad, very happy, very joyous. It’s a space that is just loaded with institutional memories, with my memories, with my associations,” he reflects, remembering the Chapel Talks that both of his own sons—Sam ’08 and Cal ’12—gave. “They both kind of talked about the same thing, what it was like growing up as a ‘fac brat’ on campus, the fun and excitement. This was their world.”

His connection to Tabor is profound, having raised his family within the school's nurturing environment, an experience that has impacted him deeply. For 30 years, Heavey and his wife raised their children on the Tabor campus, moving here when his children were under the age of four. “There’s a real tightness to the community here,” he notes, thinking about the all-inclusive boarding environment that involves teaching, coaching, rehearsals, and more. “It’s exhausting and pushes you to the max,” he admits, “but I really, really enjoyed it.”

When asked about his Baccalaureate speech, Heavey hints at a theme centered around the antithesis of today's often grim news headlines. “I’m an active Boston Globe reader,” he explains, “and very old school; we still get the Globe delivered to our place every day.” As an avid reader and consumer of news—he also frequents CNN and the PBS News Hour—he feels compelled to guide students towards the power of giving—giving of themselves in a world that seems increasingly focused on taking. Drawing from personal experiences, including his volunteer work and the impactful Juntos program at Tabor, he plans to stress the importance of generosity and service.

As Tabor bids farewell to a beloved member of its community, Heavey's address is anticipated to be a fitting tribute to the school's ethos of community and service. His aim is not to lecture but to leave the students with a singular, enduring message that will guide them as they step forward into their futures.

Ensuring his speech is succinct and impactful, Heavey's approach echoes the advice of Mrs. Sughrue as she advises students giving their Tabor Chapel Talks— “Keep it short and sweet.” His decision to eschew poetry in favor of storytelling signifies his intent to connect authentically with his audience, offering them stories and insights that are both relatable and reflective. Heavey's speech is sure to encapsulate the heartfelt legacy he leaves at Tabor.