6 June, 2011
Hopkinton High School's commencement activities took place on Friday, June 3, 2011. For Superintendent Jack Phelan, this year's commencement was his 11th, his last and different from all the others.
"It hard for me to believe sometimes that tonight is my 11th commencement address in Hopkinton. This one is different, however, because I stand here not only as your Superintendent, but also as a proud parent of a member of the Class of 2011. Our kids have grown up together. With so many of you over the years, I feel like we have sat in stands, stood along the sidelines, and together, even tried to convince ourselves that our children actually did sound good during that 5th grade music concert.
"It has been a distinct pleasure being a part of your children's lives for the past eleven years. Thank you for being such good parents, neighbors, and friends.
I have three very simple hopes for our students in the future.
First of all, I hope that your invest in good friendships. They don't cost a lot, yet they have tremendous value.
Secondly, I hope that you don't just face life's realities, but embrace its possibilities. As hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said, 'You always miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.'
Lastly, and more than anything, I hope that you don't forget to call or text the parents, like me, who are going to miss you terribly," said Phelan.
Congratulations Class of 2011. To borrow a lyric, you've got the music in you. Have fun dancing to the beat and good luck!"
For Class President Will Relle, it was an opportunity to reminisce about lessons learned and the power of choice.
"If you say you can't, you won't, "said Relle. "If you say you quit, you lose. If you say you'll try, you just might succeed, but only you have the power to choose. The greatest gift we are given in life is the power of choice."
For Valedictorian Mitchell Saeger, it was chance to talk about lessons learned from goats.
"Never again will I disrespect goats, " said Sager. " In fact, I have learned a remarkable lesson from them. They graze all day, existing from one day to the next, eating literally anything in sight with reckless abandon; grass, shrubs, shoes, even tin cans. You name it, they've tried it, and as silly as it may sound, I truly respect this about them. No matter what it may be around, a goat will try to eat it, learn from its mistakes and move on. Goats will try anything and everything once, throwing themselves headlong into whatever comes their way, ultimately growing from the ordeal."
For Salutatorian Stephanie Hadley, it was an analogy to the Lake Whitehall rope swing.
"There is nothing like that moment of suspension in mid-air; the split second between springing off the platform anchored between the trees and breaking the unscathed surface of the lake," said Phelan. "It's a moment of insecurity and uncertainty, anticipation and emotion, like the way we are faced with now."
All of the diplomas were handed out by School Committee Chair Rebecca Robak. As one of his last official acts, Superintendent Phelan handed his daughter her diploma.
To view the entire Graduation Ceremony, Click Here.
