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Taconic Hills graduates embrace the occasion with humor, thoughtfulness
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| Graduates start to throw confetti near the end of SaturdayÕs ommencement ceremony. (Molly Salisbury/For Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
By Molly Salisbury
CRARYVILLE — On Saturday morning, in brilliant orange and white, the 146 members of the Class of 2009 wore their school colors proudly as they received their long-anticipated diplomas.
“This is the pinnacle of our childhoods,” said Valedictorian Andre Bergeron.
High School Principal Michael Teator, whose last day at Taconic Hills is Tuesday, had a bittersweet message. “At times you will encounter failure. If anyone can handle the ups and downs of this crazy life, it is you.”
The auditorium was packed to overflowing 15 minutes before the event even started. Senior Class President Christopher Callino performed his role as master of ceremonies with aplomb.
He praised the seniors, calling them “involved, outspoken and intrepid,” and commended their “interest in the school’s administration.”
Salutatorian Kristi Schroder made reference to the student body’s move from the old Ockawamick school in Claverack to the new consolidated Taconic Hills school. She remembered that at age 8 she was most excited about having two playgrounds (at the new school).
Her advice to the graduates: “Keep your eyes open, challenge yourself — the world is a playground!”
During his exuberant address to the class, Bergeron thanked the school for his success. “The teachers are amazing. The teaching staff is the backbone of integrity in this school,” he said.
In a poignant moment, he and two other seniors, brothers Kyle and Ryan Brousseau, surprised Taconic Hills teacher — and Kyle and Ryan’s mother — Signe Brousseau with a bouquet of flowers and a round of applause.
Bergeron, who will be attending Cornell in the fall, played a solo on his saxophone during the jazz ensemble’s performance. The ensemble was a highlight among highlights. The musical selection and the playing were very impressive.
Superintendent Mark Sposato introduced guest speaker Roger Schlueter.
Schlueter, a 1990 Taconic Hills grad who “made good,” works for “Major League Baseball Production” as a videographer. He described graduation as “a sentence ending with a series of exclamation points mixed with question marks.”
Schlueter emphasized that graduation is a bona fide milestone, and that the students should take time to celebrate.
As the diplomas were handed out, one “intrepid” student stripped to his skivvies. The administration shook their heads as the audience roared. Paper airplanes flew and horns tooted indiscriminately as the seniors started to let loose.
During his address, Teator reminded the excited graduates: “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things … 21st century America belongs to you. Take good care of it.”
“This is the pinnacle of our childhoods,” said Valedictorian Andre Bergeron.
High School Principal Michael Teator, whose last day at Taconic Hills is Tuesday, had a bittersweet message. “At times you will encounter failure. If anyone can handle the ups and downs of this crazy life, it is you.”
The auditorium was packed to overflowing 15 minutes before the event even started. Senior Class President Christopher Callino performed his role as master of ceremonies with aplomb.
He praised the seniors, calling them “involved, outspoken and intrepid,” and commended their “interest in the school’s administration.”
Salutatorian Kristi Schroder made reference to the student body’s move from the old Ockawamick school in Claverack to the new consolidated Taconic Hills school. She remembered that at age 8 she was most excited about having two playgrounds (at the new school).
Her advice to the graduates: “Keep your eyes open, challenge yourself — the world is a playground!”
During his exuberant address to the class, Bergeron thanked the school for his success. “The teachers are amazing. The teaching staff is the backbone of integrity in this school,” he said.
In a poignant moment, he and two other seniors, brothers Kyle and Ryan Brousseau, surprised Taconic Hills teacher — and Kyle and Ryan’s mother — Signe Brousseau with a bouquet of flowers and a round of applause.
Bergeron, who will be attending Cornell in the fall, played a solo on his saxophone during the jazz ensemble’s performance. The ensemble was a highlight among highlights. The musical selection and the playing were very impressive.
Superintendent Mark Sposato introduced guest speaker Roger Schlueter.
Schlueter, a 1990 Taconic Hills grad who “made good,” works for “Major League Baseball Production” as a videographer. He described graduation as “a sentence ending with a series of exclamation points mixed with question marks.”
Schlueter emphasized that graduation is a bona fide milestone, and that the students should take time to celebrate.
As the diplomas were handed out, one “intrepid” student stripped to his skivvies. The administration shook their heads as the audience roared. Paper airplanes flew and horns tooted indiscriminately as the seniors started to let loose.
During his address, Teator reminded the excited graduates: “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things … 21st century America belongs to you. Take good care of it.”
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