ARLINGTON — Graduating from high school is challenging for any student, but for those at Weston High School the road has included more obstacles than most.

Student speakers Christian Meece and Arianna Greenhaw underscored that during commencement addresses to their peers in the class of 2016 at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center June 14.

“Some of us have faced the death of a loved one,” Meece said. “Some of us have faced poverty or homelessness. Some of us have faced abuse, and some of us have faced hunger and uncertainty. Our struggles have made us stronger and smarter. We did this while going to school, focusing on tests, interacting with our friends and living life in the best way we knew how.”

Meece said people will not know about their struggles, but will judge them by “what you do, how you act and how you conduct yourself in the face of adversity and change.”

Noting how much he and his classmates have changed since they started high school, Meece encouraged them to embrace change, even as they retain the lessons they gain along the way.

“What you have learned about life these past four years will last a lifetime and guide you in making decisions in the future, and this process will repeat itself throughout your entire life,” Meece said. “Everything you think now will likely be different in another four years, and the more frequently you realize this, the better it will be for you.”

He added: “We are never finished products. We are all works in progress.”

Greenhaw recounted how she came to Weston in the fall of 2015 not knowing if she would even graduate. “In the past year, I’ve been a single mother to my son, Nolan, who’s now a year old, and I’ve worked hard to get myself caught up in order to graduate on time with my class, all while working full-time,” she said.

Greenhaw credited her teachers with helping her balance her roles as a mom, a student and an employee, so much so that she admitted how much she’ll miss them and the rest of her school.

“This has truly been one of the best years of my high school career and my life,” Greenhaw said. “I have received more support than I could have ever imagined, not only from the teachers and staff at Weston, but from the best support team in the world, my family.”

Greenhaw deemed her family her “life coaches,” who also made it possible for her to pursue her dreams.

Will Nelson recalled not only his own small-town high school years, but also the start of his tenure as principal of Weston, as he sought to share the same reassurances with his graduates that he had received in both of those roles. “The students you see sitting on this stage have all been like a duck at some point, legs moving fast and furious below the surface, but above the water, calm and gaining momentum in order to move forward,” he said.

Nelson joined Greenhaw in crediting the staff and families of Weston with helping their students realize their academic potential. He praised the resilience, persistence and diligence of the students, whom he gave three pieces of advice: “Respect yourself,” “You can do this,” and “We are here for you.”

“Come and see us if you need help getting a job, or finding a place to live, or filling out paperwork to get into college or trade school,” Nelson said. “We know the systems available to help you and can connect you to them. Our care, support and concern for you do not suddenly stop tonight. We are and will be here for you when you need us.”