NHS Class Of 2011 Moves On To Meet Its Future

By Eliza Hallabeck

Despite a stormy start to the day, the Newtown High School Class of 2011 had a reason to celebrate on Wednesday, June 22, at Western Connecticut State University’s O’Neill Center: It was graduation day.

Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson greeted the graduates and their assembled families and friends. She acknowledged the conflicting feelings of pride and sadness for parents of the 422 graduates.

For the graduating students, Dr Robinson said she knew they were both joyful and excited, but she asked them to take a moment to reflect on their time in Newtown.

“You may be leaving us,” Dr Robinson said, speaking to the graduates, “but your experiences here have helped shape you. This tight-knit Newtown community will be with you, no matter where you go.”

Board of Education Chair William Hart spoke next, and noted a difference between his time in school and what the graduates of 2011 must have experienced.

“Gone are the days when I could feel like the top geek, simply because I could use my slide rule faster than anyone else,” said Mr Hart, speaking to how graduating students must be ready to succeed in a global digital market. “Things have gotten a lot more complicated, but that complication is also exciting.”

In his role as the Board of Education chair, Mr Hart said he has witnessed many student accomplishments, and said Newtown is fortunate to be able to provide opportunities to prepare students for the world. Dedicated educators, parents, and committed support from hundreds of community volunteers add to the educational environment that produces excellent graduates, like the Class of 2011, Mr Hart said.

“Class of 2011, the Board of Education salutes you,” he concluded.

Valedictorian Drew Robinson, Salutatorian Brian Reed, Senior Class Vice President Alyssa Vetrano, Senior Class President Jillian Jagoe, President of Student Government KellyAnne Brophy, Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais, and NHS social studies teacher Jason Edwards as the event’s commencement speaker all offered their insights and good wishes to the graduates.

An exchange-of-flags ceremony was also conducted between Mr Dumais and NHS exchange student Issyana Indraswari. Music for the evening was provided by the NHS Concert Band under the direction of Music Director Kurt Eckhardt, and the NHS Senior Choir and the NHS Chamber Choir, both under the guidance of NHS Choral Director Jane Matson.

Salutatorian Brian Reed took a moment during his speech to remind his fellow graduates that the village standing behind them is filled with friends, guidance counselor Jeff Tolson’s high fives, and English teacher Lee Keylock’s English accent, “which makes everything sound brilliant.”

Brian finished his address by quoting from William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus, “It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Valedictorian Drew Robinson said it took him his four years at NHS, but he finally had the epiphany that, despite having only the Nighthawk in common with the eclectic students that make up his graduating class, “We have made this journey together and united in the process.”

“These are my final words of wisdom to the Class of 2011,” said Drew, “go thank your teachers. Go thank you parents and family, your friends and classmates, me for treating you with this speech, and anyone else who has made a significant difference in your life.”

To his classmates, Drew told them to remember the memories of staying up late for the Harry Potter midnight premiere, the laughs shared over the “senior skip day flop,” the tears shed with a best friend when faced with being accepted to different dream schools, and any other moments that made them feel alive.

“Congratulations Class of 2011, and thank you for four truly amazing years,” Drew said.

Commencement speaker Jason Edwards said he is continually amazed at the intellectual achievements, athletic prowess, maturity, moments of caring and kindness, and the glimpses of future success he sees in the halls of NHS every day.

“Every year I set out to show my classes that history and politics are merely a collection of individual stories combined together to create a legacy,” said Mr Edwards, “and Class of 2011, perhaps the finest class to ever grace the halls of Newtown High School, you have surely constructed a wonderful legacy.”

Mr Edwards also thanked all in attendance at the O’Neill Center for their support of the Class of 2011 — the class, he said, that is number one, twice.

After the speeches concluded, the graduates of 2011 were called in alphabetical order to receive their diplomas and eventually walk away from the event as Newtown High School graduates.