Largest-ever Maharishi School class graduates

      The largest ever class to graduate from Maharishi School turned their tassles Sunday, at the Maharishi School assembly hall.

      Fifty-two graduates received their diplomas after hearing from two guest speakers with children in the class, Earl Kaplan, founding president of Books Are Fun, and Mayor Ed Malloy.

      Kaplan recounted his rise from a struggling appliance salesman to wholesale book magnate.

      ?About 12 or 13 years ago, I was financially destitute,? Kaplan said. ?I had a tofu business and an appliance business before becoming an entrepreneur.?

      Kaplan credited his father, whose practical advice spurred him toward getting a job with Reader?s Role Books of Canada and then Books Are Fun. He implored the graduates to consult with their parents in times of need and to listen to their advice.

      ?Parents have a lot of life experience,? Kaplan said. ?See what they have to say and then base your decisions. Parents give really good advice.?

      Kaplan compared the graduation and marriage ceremonies, observing that in both processionals the participants walk very slowly. He urged the graduates to proceed through the transition years from collegiate to professional at a slow pace.

      ?You don?t need to rush off and figure out how to spend the next four years,? Kaplan said, and then quoted New York Yankees hall of famer Yogi Berra, ?You got to be careful if you don?t know where you are going, you might not get there.?

      Malloy read a letter from city hall, in which he complemented the students on their wisdom and urged them to use it to benefit their community.

      ?Your graduation symbolizes your readiness to make a contribution to our community,? Malloy said. ?You now possess the knowledge to make decisions that will impact our society.?

      Graduate Erin Levi received the Pioneer Award, which is given each year to a student who excels in a variety of academic and extracurricular areas.

      The class of 2002 included one National Merit Scholar, Devi Mays; an all-state basketball player, Zach Silverman; a boys? and girls? state tennis champion, Naren Clark and Michelle Punj; and a third-place finisher at boys? state golf, Aubrey Deans.

      ?Do not listen to others who tell you that you cannot do something,? said co-valedictorian Devi Mays. ?When you are told something, question it. Have chutzpah. Ultimately it is you and you alone who has to live with your decisions.?

      Co-valedictorian Nandini Bakshi recounted the many changes that have occurred since the graduates were born in 1984. Three different presidents were sworn into office, there have been two wars, and the World Wide Web, disposable cameras and instant coffee were invented. Bakshi praised the school, dubbing it the ?Miracle on North Third Street.?

      ?Now is the time for the bird supported by 13 years of wisdom to go out into the world,? Bakshi said. ?Get ready world, the class of 2002 is here.?

      Student body president Michelle Punj officially handed over the title to incoming senior Alison Gritz.