Tuesday, May 28, 2024, all thirty-one participants of our Leadership of Greater Nashua class graduated! Wow, the past nine months have surely flown by. I was not certain what to expect when starting LGN. I knew that I would be outside of my comfort zone, being an introvert and all. That was my primary concern. One thing that I did not expect was how many truly wonderful people I would meet. Each session I became a little more comfortable as I learned about all of the fantastic professionals that I was working alongside.
There was a great deal of effort put into the course material and a wide variety of topics which were all equally valuable to us all. After being in this community for over twenty years there was still a significant amount to learn about the Greater Nashua area. This history here is remarkable. I think it is safe to say that we are all significantly more informed on what we are a part of and the resources that we have at our fingertips.
Watching everyone yesterday was a testament to LGN. Everyone outwardly showed how proud they were of the accomplishments that took place (both personal and professional). Alyssa O’Mara, our fearless leader, called every one of us up by name and presented our certificate to us alongside Wendy Hunt. Every single person had the most genuine ear to ear smile. What surprised me even more was how supportive the rest of the group was with applause, congratulations, well wishes and sharing the entire experience with the rest of their class. It was at this moment I realized that we all care about one another, we are no longer strangers, but friends.
After everyone received their certificates, Gena Lavallee and Michelle Welsh briefly spoke about our class project then a video/collage of our events and monthly sessions was shown. It was refreshing to look back on how much we all accomplished. One of the most powerful moments was when Aletta Brown, employee of Girls Incorporated, spoke. She thanked our class for choosing Girls Incorporated for our final project. She was sincerely grateful for our efforts in creating a STEM room for their facility. This room will be used and cherished for years to come. Knowing that we did something so significant for our community is rewarding.
Lastly, everyone indulged in a wonderful meal that was provided and socialized with family, friends, co-workers and LGN Alumni from prior classes. As we parted ways it was bittersweet, but there is no doubt that this was not Goodbye!
Written By:
Jennifer Moriarty
Nashua PD
