The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
READY TO AMAZE
Armed with diplomas, 125 young people head toward future
DURHAM — Two things were cool in Durham Friday: The weather and the 125 graduates of Coginchaug Regional High School.
And if the clouds that overspread the field on which the ceremony was held brought a mild chill, it was more than made up for by the pride of parents and families as well as the affection of students for one another. There was much for the parents — and the students — to be proud of: 52 students graduated with either honors or honors with distinction, and 28 were members of the National Honor Society.
Principal Brian Falcone set the tone for the ceremony when he used a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Having written the prologue to the book of their lives over the past 13 years, “Tomorrow we begin writing the rest of our book,” Class President Daniel Turecek said in
his welcoming remarks. “Every accomplishment is a team effort,” he added.
Just as important is giving back, which the class did by making donations to the food pantries in both Durham and Middlefield, to the Brenna Zettergren Memorial Foundation and to Help Will’s Friends.
The class also presented “a very special gift” to the school, class Treasurer Cal Pitruzzello said. It is a wooden mosaic of the school crest, painstakingly handmade by graduating senior Eric R. DeBrum, who is developing a woodworking business in his basement.
The crest will be hung outside the school’s auditorium.
Salutatorian Derek Labasi was the new kid in town, only moving to Durham when he was 12. He was unsure at first if he would fit in, he admitted.
“Six years later, I can’t picture myself being anywhere else,” he said. “Having been forced out of my shell,” Labasi said, he eagerly awaits the challenges college will offer.
“Only you can decide what is best for you,” he told his classmates, adding, “I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.”
Labasi was followed to the podium by Valedictorian Aubrey Figoras. They are the best of friends, which Figoras said made edging out Labasi for valedictorian that much sweeter. Saying “how insanely awesome it feels to really learn something,” Figoras proceeded to give a rousing speech. “Mom, Dad, listen up because I am finally going to answer that ageold question, ‘What did you learn in school today?’ ”
One of the first and most important things Figoras learned was the need for perseverance, in no small part because she suffered from asthma.
“Confidence is key,” she continued, urging her fellow graduates to be “insanely, really wonderfully, authentically you.”
Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, Figoras said, still regretting not trying quid during a visit to Italy.
She closed by acknowledging, “I’ve said a lot — because I learned a lot!”
In fact, Figoras said, “We’ve learned a lot these past four years. Now let’s go learn something new.”
Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Veronesi said she was “filled with tremendous pride” as she looked at the class. To the parents she said, “Thank you for sending us these amazing children.”
If graduation marks a beginning, it also marked the end of a 31-year career of history and social studies for teacher Julia Selberg. In introducing her, Falcone said Selberg “was the embodiment of the very best of education and educators can offer.”
Selberg proceeded to sum up her pride in her role as an educator. The first time she was addressed as “‘teacher,’ it was like my life clicked into place,” Selberg said.
That said, “It was a weighty responsibility ... ushering these students into adulthood.”
She approached her role as an “assumption unsettler,” which she said was necessary and desirable for everyone, not just students. Sleberg said she was also blessed to be in a school and district that supported education.
She implored the audience to encourage that same attitude elsewhere and to urge other talented young people to overcome the challenges of low pay and long hours that often put them off from becoming teachers.
Then came the presentation of the diplomas, during which one student was singled out for special notice.
She is Abbigale Rose Zito, who, through her entire high school career, always was the last person, whether it was being chosen, having her name read out or getting her diploma. Zito thanked her family and friends for their support and described her four years at Coginchaug as “Amazing!”
“I cannot imagine not going to school with all of you,” she told her classmates before adding, “We are a new generation, and we are ready to do amazing things.”
The ceremony ended as it began, with the administration and faculty leading the class off the field and onto the track that surrounds the field. When the procession came halfway round the track, the teachers fell out and formed two lines.
They clapped and cheered on the students as they walked past them toward the finish line — which also serves as the starting line for whatever comes next for the class of 2018.