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06/23/2015 11:36 AMWith sunshine and clear blue skies as bright as their futures, 161 members of the North Branford High School (NBHS) Class of 2015 graduated June 22 with many notes of thanks to their hometown.
The ceremony at the NBHS field was viewed by family and fans in the stands, while parents and families of graduates looked on from their VIP seating on the field. The procession of the Class of 2015, clad in Thunderbird purple and white caps and gowns, received a huge round of applause as they took their place to hear a program including words from NBHS Principal Todd Stoeffler, Valedictorian/Class President Maggie Vergati, Salutatorian Carly Mastriano, Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker and Board of Education Chair Lou Paternoster.
Vergati urged her classmates to remember their small town roots -- including having to take tractor traffic into account when planning their NBHS commute -- while also taking on the challenges of the next stage of their lives.
"There are endless possibilities in this world, and I want you to discover them all," Vergati told them. "All the things you said you wanted to do when you graduated high school, do them and do more. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Mastriano said North Branford provided the Class of 2015 with the tools to create the people they've become today and will be tomorrow.
"I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to let you shape me into who I am. It's been a good run. And I hope you will all keep in your minds where you are from when you go off to do amazing things elsewhere," Mastriano told the commencement crowd and her classmates.
Stoeffler thanked Senior Class Advisor Kathy Mezerewski and Assistant Advisor Melinda Balg for guiding the Class of 2015. He told the graduating class this is a time of transition, bringing opportunities for growth, progress and creativity as well as a time vulnerability.
"This vulnerability is due to change," said Stoeffler. "So Class of 2015, as you move onto to your work or to your careers or college, be confident (and) go out and seek your challenges. Have lofty aspirations; but be mindful of the path that you've followed thus far in life that has allowed you to develop these skills, acquire the knowledge and provided the gift of humility."
Before certifying for the BOE that the members of the Class of 2015 had completed their public school education and earned the high school diplomas about to be conferred upon them, Schoonmaker noted that in his six and half years with North Branford Public Schools, he had seen many remarkable milestones achieved by the senior class.
"Over the past four years you have succeeded as students, musicians, athletes, artists and most importantly, responsible citizens who have given back to your community and school," said Schoonmaker.
He said the group's "...caring compassionate and empathetic" participation community events, such as joining with the community in "Love for Lyla" fundraising to benefit Jerome Harrison Elementary student battling a rare form of cancer, becoming "heroes" for her.
"During your academic career, your families, friends and teachers have been your heroes," he told the Class of 2015, adding, "...now is your time to be your own hero, as you move away from the comfort of the North Branford community and explore the many opportunities that await you."
Wearing the academic world's traditional black scholars' gown, Paternoster broke the ice for his talk by remarking that the sun shining down on the students was probably also causing them to overheat a bit, thanks to their caps and gowns.
"I know that everybody's hot, especially (now) that I'm wearing it; so I know what you guys are going through," said Paternoster.
"Life's a journey and along the way we stop and celebrate milestones; and high school graduation is a biggie -- not only for you, but for your parents as well. You've all worked hard to get to this point and it really is worth celebrating. It is a good time to look back on all you have accomplished and all that good times that you've had along the way, while understanding your future is full of opportunity waiting for you to grab and hold on to. "
Music provided at the graduation ceremony included performances by the NBHS Concert Band and NBHS Chamber Choir. NBHS 2014-15 Teacher of the Year Diane Artaiz read the names of each graduate called to the podium to receive their diploma, distributed by Paternoster, Mezerewski, Balg and NBHS Assistant Principal Gregory Gwudz.
Vergati then lead the traditional Turning of the Tassels. Earlier in the ceremony, in closing her speech, Vergati had bid farewell to her fellow students, saying "...as we close this chapter of our lives, I will not say goodbye. Mostly because I expect to see you all back here in 10 years for our reunion, where I'm sure you will all be even more good looking and more successful. But until then, I will wish you the best of luck, I'll miss you dearly, and congratulations."