weston graduation 2012
TRANSCRIPT
POMP&CIRCUMSTANCEWESTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2012 GRADUATION
7A Thursday, June 28, 2012
CLASS of 2012of 2012ofby Christopher Burns
Weston Forum Intern
Near 100-degree heat didn’t keep Weston seniors from gradu-ating in style Thursday, June 21. With the help of free water bottles, fans, misters, and a large, shady tent, the Weston High School 42nd Annual Commencement went off without a hitch — although there were a few reports of the heat claiming a victim or two.
The steamy-hot ceremony began with a procession of gradu-ating seniors being led out of Weston High School by the staff of Weston High School, other school administrators, and the Board of Education. The students had been taking refuge from the heat inside the air conditioned auditorium in the school.
Music director Sal LaRusso and the high school concert band opened the ceremony with the tra-ditional “Pomp and Circumstance” before future Norwich Academy ROTC Cadet Philip Rainone led the crowd in The Pledge of Allegiance.
Co-president of the Weston High School Student Council Sarah Schwartz gave the wel-come address. During it she made clear who was to thank for the excellent caliber of Weston High School graduates, saying, “This is an exciting time in which we can look into the future and feel as though we have been properly equipped with the right tools to be innovative, independent, criti-cal thinkers in our society. We all [have] Weston High School, our teachers, administrators, and our parents to thank for that.”
Student speaker Charlotte Berger talked about the posi-tive atmosphere her classmates brought to Weston High School and she acknowledged they rarely did anything the “usual” way.
“Leave it to the Class of 2012 to start our senior year Irene style, with massive hurricane winds that literally brought the house down, and ending on the hottest day of the year. How does Mother Nature plan such a fitting begin-ning and end for our class? We, who would literally and figura-tively start our year with a bang, and end it with people passing out from the insanity of this heat wave. Welcome to the Class of 2012, where normalcy is never an
option,” she said.Damian Long, an English
teacher at the high school, gave the faculty address. His speech contained two pieces of advice to the graduating class.
The first was simple: Unlike a recent viral video advocat-ing “tough love” principles, Mr. Long said he prefers a more “Mr. Rogers” approach. “You are spe-cial,” Mr. Long told the gradu-ates. “It would be easier if you weren’t ‘special,’ but I can’t tell you you’re all the same, that I have the key you need to unlock the door to a happy life.”
The second presented a more contemporary piece of advice. “Go somewhere without your phone,” Mr. Long said, “Then look around and take in what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. Be there, and only there. And then tell someone about it.”
Graduates William Richling, Charlotte Roth, and Tess Maggio presented a musical interlude dur-ing the ceremony, performing the Stevie Nicks classic “Landslide” for their classmates.
Salutatorian Lisa Maddox expressed relief at not having to answer “The Questions” anymore (where are you applying to col-lege? Which is your first choice? Etc.). But now, she said, she and her fellow graduates are facing the bigger question of what to do with the rest of their lives.
Valedictorian Samantha Briggs, who gave the final commence-ment speech, reminded her fellow classmates what responsibilities they have after high school ends. She said, “We are ready for the big world that lies ahead of us. Up until this point in our lives we have been a part of the generation that lives according to a set of rules, and we are now becoming a part of the generation that will make the rules. We will decide the path that the future follows.”
Diplomas were handed out by Superintendent Colleen Palmer and Phil Schaefer, chairman of the school board.
Drawing the ceremony to a close, Brian Lamy co-president of the Student Council, said he was very proud to have gradu-ated with the Weston High Class of 2012. “We are a class of high achievers and I know that we will be the generation to put a ding in this universe.”
Bryan Haeffele photos
Top, Weston graduates are all smiles at the commencement ceremony Thursday, June 21.
Above, Nick Klokus and Sebastian Valin give an enthusi-astic thumbs up on their way to the graduation ceremony, held under a tent outside Weston High School. They are followed by Jacob Knopping, Eric Weeks, and Kendall Kolenik.
Left, Callie Silver receives her diploma from Phil Schaefer, chairman of the school board.
See the full text of all speeches and more
photos online at theWestonForum.com
8A Forum, Weston, Conn. June 28, 2012 8A Forum, Weston, Conn. June 28, 2012 8A
SAMANTHA BRIGGSValedictorian
“We acknowledge that the recognition of full rights to all people, regardless of sexual
orientation, religious beliefs, race, or anything else, is no longer a progressive mindset, but a
just mindset. And I have faith that as we move on from Weston we will carry these beliefs and the drive to stand up for them with us
and change the national discussion. Just as we took our roles as seniors seriously, I know that we will take our roles as influential members
of society seriously.”
photos by Bryan Haeffele
JESSICA RILEYClass President
“Although I will miss our community more “Although I will miss our community more “than you can even imagine, I believe it is now
our job to spread what the town of Weston has taught us to others. We need to spread the importance of teamwork, and sense of
community. I wish my classmates the best of luck in whatever path they choose to follow.”
CHARLOTTE BERGERStudent Speaker
“Today, we are celebrating together. With this, perhaps more than anything else, is the lesson
we learned — that as separate individuals we are, at most, mildly effective. But together
we were able to combine our talents into a powerful arsenal of educational excellence,
athletic achievement and community spirit.”
LISA MADDOXSalutatorian
“When you meet people, they will not remember what you do for a living or what your major was in college. What they will remember is the kind of person you were. Our actions and our character make the most lasting impressions on others. Make
those impressions count. Make sure people remember you for the right reasons. Who you are in this moment and who you are 10,000 moments from now might not be exactly the
same, and that is okay.”
Above, graduate Xander Landen is con-gratulated by Colleen Palmer, superinten-dent of schools.
Right, Lisa Wolak, Weston High School principal, receives a hug from a graduate as Dr. Palmer looks on.
Abigale Chepolis and Chris Chao turn their tassels.
June 28, 2012 Forum, Weston, Conn. 9A9A
Erin AckermanPennsylvania State University, University Park
Chloe AlbertDid not submit information
Ayman AliUniversity of Connecticut
Phoebe AllenBarnard College
Christian AmedenKeene State College
Katherine AngelidisUniversity of Vermont
Jacqueline AseltaBentley University
James AustinVillanova University
Christopher BabinecBoston University
Lucas BarberEarlham College
Bryce BarkerIndiana University at Bloomington
Jennie BearSyracuse University
Charlotte BergerUniversity of New Hampshire
Andrew BerneggerUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst
Evan BlitzerUniversity of Michigan
Alessandra BonafideGettysburg College
Samantha BriggsCornell University
Matthew BrooksStonehill College
Kaylie BucaroPace University, NYC
Elizabeth CannonDid not submit information
Chloe CanterSt. Mary’s College of Maryland
Melina CanterJames Madison University
Michael CertomaBinghamton University
Christopher ChaoUniversity of Connecticut
Abigale ChepolisBucknell University
Brian ChestlerUniversity of Pittsburgh
Lili ClementIthaca College
Mary CorcoranIthaca College
Anne CovinoMaplebrook Transition Program
John “Jack” CurranNew York University
Emily CurtisMichigan State University
Ari DabushDid not submit information
Nicole DeCanioWellesley College
Austin DelaneyThe University of Arizona
Bradley DeMarcoConnecticut College
Charles DeMarcoUniversity of New Hampshire
Isabel DitkoffDid not submit information
Julia DiMarcoJames Madison University
Sabrina DiPasqualeSyracuse University
Nichole DugganBoston College
Jordan DunnUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst
Devin DysonIthaca College
Rachel EddyUniversity of Miami
Taylor Ellis-SayeghThe University of Iowa
Daniella EmanuelUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Rachel EmberlingUniversity of Vermont
Tess FaganDickinson College
Sean FarrellGap Year
Sara FayngolzMuhlenberg College
Lauren FergusonUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville
Anthony FestaRollins College
Carolyn FigliolaSusquehanna University
Morgan FolgerUniversity of Maryland, College Park
Rachel FraadeDuke University
Connor FradetWestern Washington University
Ryan FriedrichsenHigh Point University
Jensen FrostGettysburg College
James FurbeeUniversity of Michigan
Jennifer GageElon University
Alexis GandalTulane University
Andrew GardellRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Amanda GautierDickinson College
Jessica GershTulane University
Anne GlasserUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Nikki GoldbergCornell University
Schuyler GoldmanscherHampshire College
Hannah GoodmanWesleyan University
Aaron GreenfieldUniversity of Connecticut
Jacob GreismanColgate University
Cameron HagenBoston College
Forrest HamiltonRISE Transition Program-Sacred Heart
Brendan HardemanDid not submit information
Jocelyn HarrisLawrence University
Alana HassanUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Lucy HazanUniversity of Connecticut
Alissa HornungUniversity of Virginia
Brock HortonUtah Valley University
Lindsey HoverBoston University
Lianna HurshSyracuse University
Joshua HyattUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Connor JohnsonUniversity of Vermont
Connor JonssonMiami University, Oxford
Evelyn KaczmarekMcGill University
Mia KamisarBucknell University
Nidhi Esha KaushikThe University of Alabama at Birmingham
Matthew KeeneyThe College of Wooster
McCall KelleyUniversity of Rhode Island
Nicholas KlokusDid not submit information
Jacob KnoppingLafayette College
Kendall KolenikSaint Joseph’s University
Fallon Estelle KoproskiWestern Connecticut State University
Johanna KorshUniversity of Southern California
Zachary KraftBucknell University
Catherine KravchenkoTufts University
Jacqueline KrenSavannah College of Art and Design
Natasha KurankoDid not submit information
Jesse LaicoQuinnipiac University
Brian LamySavannah College of Art and Design
Alexander LandenTufts University
Matthew Stephen LesnerDid not submit information
John LawlessUtah Valley University
Cathryn LedwickDickinson College
Chloe LeedsWesleyan University
Shaun LesniakWestern Connecticut State University
Stuart LinverColumbia College
Samuel LoebUniversity of Connecticut
Kate LongstrethFlorida Gulf Coast University
Noriko LouisonTufts University
Nina LowBoston College
Rachel LugossyGettysburg College
Conor MaccabeDid not submit information
Lisa MaddoxColumbia University
Kristin MageeUniversity of Michigan
Tess MaggioYale University
Margaret MaretzBoston College
Rosemary “Ellie” MartinTrinity College
Carey MarvinUniversity of St. Andrews (Scotland)
Campbell McClintockMcGill University
Margaret McCuskerUniversity of Vermont
Andrew McGlynnDid not submit information
Averill MeadowWashington University in St. Louis
Jake MelvinDid not submit information
Filipe MessederSavannah College of Art and Design
Lyle MitchellWesleyan University
Max MolinskyTulane University
Caitlin MorrisseySacred Heart University
Morgan MurrayUniversity of Virginia
Kara NaydenVanderbilt University
Daniele NickelPennsylvania State University, University Park
Catherine NohreWilliams College
Nora O'DonoghueGap Year
Jason PerlikBoston University
Scott PerlikJohns Hopkins University
Christopher PiscatelliDid not submit information
Kelly QuinnElon University
Philip RainoneNorwich University
Sage RatnerIthaca College
Madeleine RatteUniversity of Pittsburgh
Stefan RehrEmerson College
William RichlingNew York University
Jessica RileyUniversity of Vermont
Carolina RiveraDid not submit information
Peter RobbinsUniversity of Denver
Lena RomaldiniUniversity of New Hampshire
Carlye RosenUniversity of California at Los Angeles
Gabriel RosenBucknell University
Elizabeth RosenbergIthaca College
Charlotte RothVirginia Commonwealth University
Alexandra RuizVillanova University
Kelsey SacaneUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
Sofia SantacaterinaDid not submit information
James SanzoneOhio Wesleyan University
Forrest SavageUniversity of North Carolina at Wilmington
Ryan SavageUniversity of Mississippi
Louis SavitzDid not submit information
Eric SchanzerUniversity of Michigan
Jack ScheufelePhilip Andover
Bridget SchwartzTulane University
Brooke SchwartzMcGill University
Samantha SchwarzSavannah College of Art and Design
Sarah SchwartzUC Berkeley
Monica ShragerMulti Skilled Assistance, St. Vincent’s
Carleigh SherUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Jordan SiffWashington University in St. Louis
Hanna SilverCornell University
Matthew SilvermanNorthwestern University
Sage SilversteinUniversity of Delaware
Michael SilvestriUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
Vincent SimboliMcGill University
JD SimonsThe University of Arizona
Benjamin SmithVillanova University
Hannah SmithSkidmore College
Andrew SobelsonCalifornia College of the Arts
Madeleine StanleyTulane University
Chase SteinkeMiami University, Oxford
Jake StraussNew York University
Madison SudenAdelphi University
Eric UrenaSouthern Connecticut State University
Olivia VaccaroEckerd College
Sebastian ValinSouthern Connecticut State University
Ava vanDaalenFranklin and Marshall College
Eric WeeksUniversity of Connecticut
Robin WillisGap Year
Erika WollmanPennsylvania State University, University Park
Kaidy WollmanPennsylvania State University, University Park
Colin WylerHumboldt State University
Cara ZembschKeene State College
Juliet ZirnWashington University in St. Louis
Nicholas ZirnUniversity of Michigan
Arielle ZwiebachDid not submit information
WESTON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
BRIAN LAMYStudent Council Co-President
“As many of you know, my dream is to “As many of you know, my dream is to “become the CEO of Apple by the age of
45. Some would say that’s impossible, but four years ago, some people could not
have imagined the things I have achieved in high school. It is all about taking the steps to reach your dream. Dream big,
every single day. My mom always taught me that you need to have goals, because
what is life without something to look forward to?”
LISA WOLAKWHS Principal
“The one word I would use to describe you, the Class of 2012, is joyful. I was
privileged to see that joy every day. You loved to dress up for different spirit days, blare music in the entrance of the school,
and play ping pong in the lounge. You loved to celebrate. Whether it was in the classroom, on the field or on the court,
on stage or in the pit, you brought joy to whatever you did.”
DAMIAN LONGFaculty Speaker
“You’re going to be part of this human family for another three-quarters of a century. It’s important to look forward and to create new things, but it’s also
important to marvel at the wonders that human beings have already created, to
let those old stories spark something new in you. Do that. It will never be time
wasted.”
Bryan Haeffele photos
Above, from left, Billy Richling, Charlotte Roth, and Tess Maggio perform “Landslide.” Below, Melina and Chloe Canter applaud a fellow graduate.