Only Kid on Cuttyhunk Is Graduating [PHIL-OSOPHY]

From time to time, you'll hear me thank the three loyal listeners on Cuttyhunk. It's one-third of their population and there's some really exciting news to share with you.

Monday, June 17 is a very special graduation day for 13-year-old Gwen Lynch, the last student–for that matter, the only student, on Cuttyhunk Island, who was educated in a one-room schoolhouse. From what I could find, there are three or four one-room schoolhouses still in existence in Massachusetts.

There's a total population of about 10 on the island community of Cuttyhunk, about 12 miles south of New Bedford. In the summer, the population grows to about 500, and Gwen's mother, Lexi, is in charge of renting the summer cottages there.

Gwen is going to join me at about 9:30 a.m., before she receives national attention, because comedienne Jenny Slate agreed to be Gwen's commencement speaker! I'm not sure who is invited to the ceremony, but rest assured her proud family, parents Duane and Lexi Lynch, her brother Carter, teacher Michelle Carvalho and friends will be cheering on Gwen Lynch. I'll also be honoring her accomplishment on WBSM 1420.

Gwen plans on giving her graduation speech that will look back at the good old days and to the future ahead on the mainland when she continues her journey at Tilton Boarding School in New Hampshire, with the help of a lot of financial aid.

After she graduates, there are no more students, so the school will be converted into a STEAM Academy, where students will study for a week at a time with Ms. Carvalho.

Join me for this special broadcast from a "place to do a whole lot of nothing."

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.