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New Lebanon Valedictory

June 30, 2016 By eastwickpress

Good Morning Family, Friends and Class of 2016.
Today marks the very end of our high school career. It almost seems as though graduation has come in waves. The very beginning of it all was of course the part in which we waited. The waiting was agonizing. Experiencing it felt like forever, but looking back now it was barely any time at all. For some of us Senioritis came with our senior year, for others, Senioritis began when high school did. [private]

Valedictorian Kaylee Henning. Photo courtesy of New Lebanon CSD
Valedictorian Kaylee Henning. Photo courtesy of New Lebanon CSD

The second stage came with applying to colleges. The stage where we all wished for those one-minute long multiplication tests in the third grade again, or the reading tests we had in kindergarten that we got treats after, or even wishing we were back at our sixth grade graduation where the only thing we thought of was the awesome summer ahead of us and the cake we got after the ceremony.
The acceptance and rejection letters mark the third stage. The stage where each and every one of us was asked at least 50 times a day, “What colleges did you apply to?” and “What will you be majoring in?” or my personal favorite “What if you don’t get in?” This, for me at least, was the most terrifying stage yet. Even though we still weren’t allowed to go to the bathroom without a signed piece of paper saying we were doing just that, the adults trusted us to know what we want for our future. Where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do. It was the first real decision we had to make that would affect the rest of our lives. Who knows if we made it correctly?
The fourth wave came with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. We began to discuss this day, how it would be the last time we were all in the same room together. A lot of our time was spent reminiscing, like, “Do you remember that time we went on a college fair field trip and came back with a lobster?” or, “What about that time we went on the Spanish field trip and right as we entered New York City, we put ‘Empire State of Mind’ on the loudspeaker and everyone sang along.” Or our very first pep rally as seniors where Anthony put on a robe and we marched into the gym to that song from The Wizard of Oz. Together we have experienced so much together, and today that particular adventure is coming to a close.
But we wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without our parents and teachers supporting us. Our parents are the reason we are here today. Since we were little they have gotten us to and from school every day in one way or another, they helped us with homework, and made sure we had the materials we needed to succeed. So I would like to take a moment to thank our parents, guardians and families who have helped us to grow into the people we are today.
Now on to our teachers: each and everyday our teachers come to school and put up with so much. Inevitably they have had to yell at us and be on our case to hand in one assignment or another. But that happens to be the best part about New Lebanon teachers: they care enough to keep us from slipping through the cracks. They helped throughout our entire high school journey. However during this arduous trek, we have lost a couple of amazing teachers on the way. Starting with our Elementary school nurse, Leah Bendick. Then later on, Mrs. Tinger, our kindergarten teacher. Finally, incredibly recently and tragically, our elementary school art teacher, Ms. Schrader. All of these women were unbelievably kind and influential in our experience here at New Lebanon, and I am incredibly grateful to have known them.
Another great thing I have gotten from our teachers here at New Lebanon is advice for the future, whether this advice was said out loud or learned from actions. Ms Storey taught me to always stand up for what I believe in. Mr. Schips taught me that even a quick smile and a hello can brighten a person’s day. Mrs. Dickson told me that it’s okay to fail every once in awhile, but it’s not okay to just hang your head or give up. Ms LeBarron taught me that it’s good to laugh as loud and as often as you want. Ms Siciliano … Our teachers have given us all of the advice we need to go out and get things done.
So, between what we have learned in school and all the lessons we have learned outside of school, we are now prepared to move on to the next step in life. Whether it be college, the armed forces, or heading into the work force, I wish you luck in your future endeavors. And I say unto you in the words of our very own Mr. Giumarra… “Forge ahead Class of 2016!!!” [/private]

Filed Under: Front Page, New Lebanon Central School, School News

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