|
August 17 2009
Congratulations to Summer Class of 2009
 More
than 200 guests were on hand Monday morning to celebrate the
graduation of 50 Schenectady High School students. The
summer Class of 2009 was announced and commencement exercises
held less than one week following the completion of summer
school and Regents exams.
It may have
taken these students a couple months longer to get there but it
was clear by the broad smiles on all of their faces, that these
summer graduates and their families could not have been any
prouder than they were walking in to this August graduation.
 Summer
School Principal Sal Capitummino kicked off the ceremony by
welcoming the graduates. Just three days before,
Capitummino was still making phone calls to inform students that
they had passed the exams and would be graduating. He told
a story about when he called a student late in the week and he
could hear the young man's mother in the background shouting
from the top of her voice, "Alleluia Jesus." Capitummino
said it's moments like that which make him want to be an
administrator.
Capitummino
referenced the words that hang above the auditorium, "Enter to
Learn, Go Forth to Serve." He explained that when the
building was built in the 1930's, those words meant get your
education and then go serve in the armed forces. "Today
those words have a different meaning," he said. He
told the students that now when they leave they serve their
friends, family and their country. He advised the
students as they go forth to "be kind and respectful."
Superintendent
Eric Ely, Board of Education President Maxine Brisport and
Associate Superintendent Gary Comley also gave advice to the
graduates. All three told the group they should be
thankful for the support they have received from family,
teachers and friends along the way.
 "Congratulations
to the Class of 2009 for being here," said Ely. "I'm sure
there are people who have helped you make it. Don't let a
day go by without saying thank you to those people."
Ely told the
students they should be proud of their accomplishments.
"You have overcome challenges and as a result are sitting here
today," he said. He reminded the students, "you cannot
consider yourselves victims." He also told the students
not to be bystanders. "Use your experience to become a
leader," urged Ely.
Ely suggested
that the students find ways to help others. "You feel
pride. You should feel pride," said Ely. "You will
feel more pride when you reach out and help others overcome
their challenges and difficulties."
 Brisport
also congratulated the students for reaching their goal and not
giving up along the way. "Your presence here today shows
that you kept trying," said Brisport. "This is a significant
milestone. The payoff of getting a high school diploma
will be great," she said. She encouraged the students to
continue to make sensible decisions and to use time wisely.
"The world is waiting for you," she added. Always take
with you the memories of today."
 Brisport
reminded the students that education is not a thing one gets but
is a life-long process. "I am extremely proud of you," she
said.
"Thank you for
your dedication, perseverance and hard work that has brought you
to this important milestone in your life," said Comley.
"Many have seen you through your struggles." He
continued, "you are fortunate to have these caring parents,
mentors and friends."
 Comley
told the students they should be very proud. "You have
overcome challenges and conquered them." He also
encouraged the students to enroll in college and begin their
journeys.
Cheers, shouts
and claps could be heard during the presentation of diplomas.
The many parents and friends in attendance were snapping photos
and smiling broadly as the students walked across the stage.
 After
all the students received their diplomas, Capitummino instructed
them to move their tassels to the left. The group of
students cheered and clapped loudly. Many turned to their
parents and friends with big smiles and looks that simply stated, "I
did it."
A reception was
held for the students and their families in the school courtyard
following the ceremony.
Back |
