Graduation Day: Always a Day to Remember

Most high school graduates are happy to be high school graduates, but there is a finality to it that hits about mid-August. What one has done yearly since the age of five or six is now turned into, “what’s next?” There will be different people, different locations, and different expectations. “Once a Tiger always a Tiger” may be true, but there seems to be no Tigers anywhere to be found. It’s a whole new experience. Welcome to at least semi-adulthood.

But on this day, May 19, it’s not a day to ponder the great unknown. Today is a day to celebrate a major life milestone with the people who took the journey with you … your classmates.

Graduations of 27 are almost of unheard of in this day and age of “more is better.” This class is close because they are few, and it is there we will begin. They are all dressed in traditional black and gold, carrying pink roses to their special people, be it parents, grandparents, friends, or teachers.

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Lanie Szewczyk, class salutatorian, welcomed the crowd. She thanked the special people that encouraged these graduates and made their journey easier in various ways. She ended with the class motto, “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.”

The class valedictorian, Josiah Denney, addressed the crowd next. He thanked all the people that had encouraged these graduates along the way.

Then, tapping into the wisdom of Shrek, he made the point that ogres are not one-dimensional creatures, instead he compares them to an onion. He says, “They have layers. You peel them back and you find something else.”

These graduates are layers of individuality to be discovered too. They are all unique as they grow and the layers are peeled back. Josiah encouraged them to embrace and celebrate their special gifts.

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Art teacher Joe White was the commencement speaker. He told of a trip to McDonald's, and the difficulty the harried employees had in getting a fast food order right. This often lends itself to frustration and anger for the customer. Instead, he finds it an occasion to appreciate that the employees, trying to get it right, have accepted the obligation.

The obligation requires seeking gainful employment and not thinking the job needs you; it requires you to take care of your family; and last, asking God to bless you and give you strength to fulfill your obligation.

With that, the scholastic achievements were handed out, then this class of 27 were given their diplomas. With a toss of their mortarboards, they went out into the sunshine to meet and greet family and friends on this auspicious day.

They will remember this day as a good day as they step out into this complex but exciting world. At this moment they have become New London School alumni. Welcome to the club!