“Thank you Dr. Abbey.
Distinguished guests, family, friends and, most importantly, the New Canaan High School Class of 2006:
When Shannon and Jake asked me to be the graduation speaker this year, my first reaction was to think about what an incredible and overwhelming honor this was. My second and almost simultaneous reaction was to run and hide as quickly as I could. After all, I’m just a “gym” – no wait, physical education teacher. Sure I know fitness, volleyball, and badminton, but what do I know about graduation speeches?
But when I sat back that first night of June and thought not only about the individuals in this class that I care about so deeply for, but also about the class as a whole, and the pride I feel in how far they have come in their four years here, I knew I had to give it my best effort. The students in this class know that I am not a pontificator, nor am I a great philosopher, but I believe in them and I will try to convey that message here today.
When these students were about to enter the high school as ninth graders, the word was to watch out for this class.
Well watch out we did. We watched them grow, mature and come together over the course of their four years at the high school to become one of the highest achieving classes to graduate from New Canaan.
Yes there have been bumps in the road, but you have to realize that this class has had to endure construction for nearly every one of their 12 years in this school system. And as a teacher in this building I can assure you that this construction business has not been easy, our section of the building has only been directly affected since March and we are already going crazy!
This group of students has shown tremendous resiliency and flexibility that some of the adults in this system could only wish to have. Some of these students have seen so much construction that they could probably take over the project at the high school today.
Watch out for this class.
Not only do we have high achieving academic scholars among us, including: National Merit finalists, JETS state and National champions, and Biology Olympiad semi-finalists, but we also have award winning journalists, musicians, artists and filmmakers. We have outstanding actors, set designers and stage crew members who as part of a team have put on some incredible dramatic and musical productions during the past four years.
Watch out for this class.
This senior group of student athletes has helped keep alive the strong tradition of athletic excellence New Canaan is known for. They have been in integral part of our program, having won 27 division titles, 12 FCIAC and 23 State Championships over the past four years. We have here today many All-FCIAC and All-State athletes and even some All Americans, and more importantly, we have some of the best badminton and Frisbee players I have ever had the pleasure to play with. Seniors, when you have a chance, do not forget to thank your teachers and coaches who have supported you over the years.
Watch out for this class.
We have watched these students donate countless hours volunteering for causes as prominent as breast cancer research and Habitat for Humanity to causes as little known as fundraising for Darfur. We have watched as they have led the service organizations of this school help raise $20,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and we have watched while the civics classes helped to honor one of our own fallen heroes by writing to the service men and women in Iraq including one of your own teachers, Tony Barnett, hoping to make their days a bit brighter.
We have also watched while these seniors culminated their high school careers last week by hosting 360 students from Edison Elementary School in Bridgeport and gave them a field day that won’t soon be forgotten by anyone who participated in this event. I don’t know whether our students realize how much of an impact they have made on the lives of these kindergarten through fifth graders, but not only is this day the highlight of their year, but it is one that is remembered long after the lessons in the classroom are forgotten.
These seniors’ philanthropic endeavors are proof that the hours they have contributed were just not for their college resumes, but were because these are causes that they truly believe in. Please do not stop giving back, for it is because of young adults like you that we have hope for a better tomorrow.
These seniors are now about to embark on a new journey. Some of them will enter the work force; others will defer for a year and volunteer in places less traveled. The majority have enrolled in colleges, from Maine to the state of Washington, planning to study everything from chemistry and ceramic engineering to ballet and fashion design. But before they go, they should know that they are leaving behind a legacy of excellence that is a great example for the future classes to strive to meet.
Seniors, you have now reached the end of an era, yet this era will be with you forever. As you venture out into the world of college and beyond, the experiences that you have shared with family, friends and teachers are experiences that have not only helped influence who you are to become, but will also help you to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Do not be afraid of these challenges, for these are what will make you stronger and will help you succeed. But what is the definition of success? I can’t presume to know what that will mean to each of you in the future, but I do know this, if you make your family your priority, that will lead to success. Start by thanking your parents after graduation and tell them that you love them. If you feel that these past four years have been hard at times, I suspect that your parents have gone through and equally hard time. And Im sorry to say, that as a parent that has gone through it, this summer might even be harder as you try and assert your independence a lot faster than your parents want you to. Parents trust me, it will get better .
But no matter what tomorrow may bring, and whether your path is simple and straight or whether it is filled with twists and turns, today you all share an achievement, today you all are the New Canaan High School Graduating Class of 2006.
Seniors, today you will leave this field for the last time as New Canaan High School students, and as you travel along your paths to become the future leaders of this country, I have but one final thought watch out for this class!”
