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.