Newtown High School Class Of 2009 Moves On

By Eliza Hallabeck

The members of the Newtown High School class of 2009 walked into the O’Neill Center at Western Connecticut State University on Thursday, June 25, to graduate before friends, family and, now, former teachers.

Speakers for the ceremony included Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson, Board of Education Chair Elaine McClure, class salutatorian Judith Carnali, class valedictorian Gretchen Hoffmann, and Newtown High School Principal Charles Dumais.

“You have before you an open book,” said Dr Robinson to the graduates. She challenged the students to make the world a better place, and acknowledged that this year’s class is certainly ready to write their own story.

Salutatorian Judith Carnali told the students she was honored to be standing before them, her classmates, and Valedictorian Gretchen Hoffmann likened the students lives to a race.

And as first vice president of Student Government for the graduating class, Genna Rossi spoke regarding the students’ many accomplishments.

“We are the class of 2009,” said Genna, “and we are one for the history books.”

While listing the many athletic accomplishments of this graduating class, including 30 SWC Championship players, Genna thanked the authors of articles that helped the students track their accomplishments and raise money for causes.

“Together we have raised the bar for future graduating classes,” said Genna.

Class President Quinlan Mitchell and President of Student Government Christine D’Alessandro took turns speaking to the students during the comments portion of the ceremony.

“Set out without the GPS and don’t be afraid of detours,” Quinlan said as he finished their combined speech.

Commencement Address speaker and NHS teacher Kristin Gelderman said she knows the students will be fine as they make their way in the world. They will hit speed bumps, feel tired, stressed, and over whelmed, but, she said, “You all have an amazing ability to preserve.”

“You will do anything, and everything, you want,” said Ms Gelderman.

Principal Charles Dumais used Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success to remind this year’s graduating class that they are in the best place today to take advantage of what the world has to offer.

“He identifies two critical elements that are overwhelmingly observed in nearly all instances of personal success: practice and opportunity,” said Mr Dumais. He said scientists have had a hard time finding people with natural ability that have floated to the top without effort, and all successful people have put in hours of practice to achieve that success.

Experts, Mr Dumais said, have practiced deliberately for more than 10,000 hours. At three hours a day for six days a week, that would still take ten years. Mr Dumais told the students if they put in their 10,000 hours into developing skills that can never be cut, they will never loose on that investment.