MORRISVILLEClass of 2011 feels like family
Posted: Friday, June 17, 2011 5:36 pm
Morrisville High School might be small, but it has a lot of heart.
Whether students were new from China, like valedictorian Jia Zhang, or lifelong Morrisville residents, such as Catherine Leather, the small graduating class felt like family.
" ‘To thine own self be true' is a quote by William Shakespeare that was taught to me in my freshman year," Catherine said during her salutation speech at Friday's graduation of 58.
"This quote in particular caught my attention because I believe that it exemplifies Morrisville. This school is unique and always remains true to itself...We are less of a class and more of a family in the bonds that we share. We've grown with each other, but now it's time to let go and we are each taking our separate paths.
"So wherever those paths may lead us, I hope that we remember where we came from and all the great people that helped to get us here," she said.
Bill Ferrara, the district's acting superintendent, recognized the graduates' achievement, but didn't forget those who helped make it happen — the parents.
He asked the graduates' parents to stand to have their hard work praised with applause by him and the audience.
Then, his words focused on the dozens of students, of which 85 percent are heading towards higher education.
Ferrara encouraged the graduating class to cherish the memories made at Morrisville High School, "but please don't let them be the highlight of your life," he said.
He advised them to turn their dreams into reality and have a "winning philosophy."
"Believe in yourself," he said. "That you have what it takes to be successful."
For many of the grads, Friday's 113th commencement ceremony was as much about their family as it was them.
"We have been practicing for this day our whole lives. Our lives and schooling have been filled with people who were there to guide us and to help us make the right decisions," Catherine said.
She acknowledged that the graduates are scared of "entering the real world where deadlines truly are deadlines and we have stricter rules than no flip flops."
But she's optimistic of the class' success in the future.
"This class of graduates is filled with immense ambitions and dreams that I have no doubt every one of us can accomplish because we are all determined and hardworking people," she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Jia, who referred to her classmates as "future doctors, lawyers accountants, Noble-prize winners, teachers, artists, members of the 20 Million Dollar Club, nurses, athletes, rappers and most importantly, free-minded individuals," she said during her speech.
3 comments:
Yes yes yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Don't forget where you came from but reach as far as you can for everything you ever dreamed of. It is all possible with hard work and support from your family and friends. Congrats graduates. You looked awesome last night and your parents are just beaming right now!
That's pretty special when you think of all the crap the school board has put these "lazy" students through. Why would anyone support the SOC group that wants to break up this school district and this "family"?
Congrats MHS Class of 2011. Watching you graduate Friday night and listening to you talk about the importance of your class, your school, your town being family made me proud. Remember your roots. Remember blue and gold. Remember MHS. Remember Morrisville. You are a great group of young adults with wonderful futures ahead of you. Go off on to your next adventures and succeed. Then come back and continue to give back to the small historic town you will always remember as home.
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