UPDATED JUNE 26. As the Stratford High School class of 2014 graduated on June 18 under a warm sun and commenced upon the new chapter in their lives, the two highest ranking academic students spoke to their classmates in a most inclusive way. They gave examples of how each of the 275 graduates had some sort of success at SHS, and they forecasted how each member of the class was bound to find success in the future.
The valedictorian and salutatorian spoke not at all about their own individual achievements, but rather of all the contributions made by all the students throughout the school. They spoke about the pride each graduate may have and how they are prepared for the challenging “mountain” ahead.
The following are majority excerpts from two student speeches delivered at the Pender’s Field ceremony last week.
by Timothy Paproski
Valedictorian
So this is it: Graduation day. We have reached a huge turning point in our lives, and I am sure most of us are still a little surprised, or even in denial, that this day has come. It’s weird. It seems like only yesterday we walked into Stratford High for freshman orientation.
Can you believe we have been in school for 12 years? It’s amazing how time seems to pass so slowly, but when we look back, we realize just how fast it actually goes by. I’m sure our parents will all say at some point tonight, ‘Oh, they grow up so fast!’
Previously we might have rolled our eyes at them. I bet now we all finally understand how very true this statement actually is.
I want to thank the choir and the band for coming out and performing for us tonight. I don’t know what feels stranger — knowing I’m about to graduate or seeing the band play tonight without me. I’m sure you all felt just as strange on your senior nights for football, track, or volleyball, or when you ushered at your last concert, performed in your last musical, or whatever you did here and loved for the final time.
We are leaving behind a lot at this school — activities, sports, friends … and about 100 security cameras!
Our class has left its mark on this school in a big way. Look at the flag that the National Honor Society constructed to honor our fallen soldiers. Think about the fund-raisers our class worked so hard to host, like Retail 101.
Consider all of the sports achievements that occurred under our leadership: Our core of senior athletes led our baseball team to states and our lacrosse team to states and the SWC championship game.
Our senior musicians helped keep our music department and groups in first place with high ratings in our competitions.
Class of 2014, our work here is done!
Never lose your memories for what we did here. Don’t forget the Senior Picnic, Prom Night (with the broken chandelier!), all of our athletic and personal achievements, and, most importantly, all the friends and relationships that we made on the way.
Always remember your learning experiences with your teachers. Let’s all thank our teachers today. Many have helped you in more ways than you even are aware of. For example, two of my most influential teachers are here tonight: Dr. Ryan and Mr. Leinen. Without them, I don’t know where I would be, or if I would even be going into music as a career.
Stratford High School has made us all who we are today. Be proud of your alma mater!
A good portion of us will move on to college. Some people will go to trade or technical schools to perfect a skill they have, or even go directly into the workforce. A few will be heading into the military. Whatever we each choose to do, I have no doubt that each and every one of us will be successful in one way or another — whether it’s by becoming a music teacher, a sportscaster, a businessman or woman, a professional athlete, a fashion designer, or a master carpenter.
Every one of us will be able to find success in whatever we do. American author Zig Ziglar says, “Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”
I challenge each and every one of you, my classmates, whatever you may do or whatever your job may be, to do it to the very best of your ability, with no less than 100% effort. Follow your passion and your heart, and you will all go far.
As I wrap things up, I refuse to give in to the biggest cliché that surrounds graduation speeches everywhere. I won’t say that “We did it,” because the past tense implies that our hard work is complete, and life will be easy from here on out.
Let’s replace that with the present tense. Class of 2014, we are doing it! We are living our dreams and moving on to the next chapter in our lives, not the next book.
I’ll leave you with the words of Dr. Seuss that Mrs. Stolzenberg left my class with on the last day of sixth grade: “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
My fellow classmates, our future looms in front of us like a mountain, so let’s tackle it.
Class of 2014, Today is our day! Let’s go!
by Rachel Santo
Salutatorian
I would like to start by saying how honored I am to be a part of a class of such high caliber. Each and every one of us worked hard and gained high accolades throughout high school.
These past four years are only a glimpse of the success we will have in the future, and that future starts today.
I know for most of us, the moment is bittersweet. While we are anticipating starting the next chapter of our lives, we are still holding on to the memories we made. One thing I know is that these memories will last a lifetime.
I may be looking too far into the future, but I can honestly say that I see myself sitting around with you guys in 20, even 30 years, discussing our times at Stratford High School — athletic triumphs, all of the awards our music department won, watching or participating in theater, talent shows, the first annual Mr. Stratford High, struggling to keep our cool in the Devil’s Den, and Rodney’s performance at the Funny Money assembly junior year.
Even more recently, we made memories with special senior events including the Senior Picnic where we learned about our classmates’ lip synching talents and watched some of our boys defeat men double their size in the tug of war, our prom night where we literally did damage on the dance floor and watched our friends become celebrities when they were hypnotized.
And now we have today. Today is one of the biggest days of our lives to date, and we have every reason to be proud of ourselves and of each other.
Congratulations Stratford High School class of 2014.
ALL PHOTOS BY KAREN REID.
