‘NEW BEGINNINGS’
Classical Magnet High School graduation celebration a mix of laughter, calls to action
HARTFORD – Balloons, flowers and flashing smart phones filled the Classical Magnet High School gymnasium, as friends and family witnessed the graduating class of 2019 walk across the stage.
The ceremony displayed the colorful personalities of the 65 graduates, as well as some strong political stances.
“The class of 2019 will most likely still be alive in 2050. We will be in our mid-life, still with many things we want to accomplish, but maybe we won’t be able to,” co-class salutatorian Erin Nosel said.
During her speech, Nosel talked about the “disastrous” effects of global warming and implored her classmates to take seriously the danger. She cited statistics, saying the wellness of the planet lies within the hands of the future generation.
During his speech, class valedictorian Vigilance Brandon, who will be attending Bard College in the fall, spoke of the importance of education.
“Wemust all remember to be grateful for the education we’ve been privileged enough to receive. To be encouraged to speak one’s mind, to think critically and to express themselves is not something everyone has access to,” Brandon said.
He asked his Classical family to reflect on what the school has done for them, and to think about what they can do for the world in return.
Graduating seniors Jarred Griffin and Tahj Russel kept things light, preforming, “Breaking Free,” a song from the Disney Channel original movie “High School Musical.” Their class stood up, cheering them on as the audience clapped along.
The ceremony offered a mixture of laughter and calls to action. Student senate president Payge Boyd called on her classmates to welcome failure with open arms.
During her speech, inspired by the Notorious B.I.G’s “Ten Crack Commandments,” she encouraged her classmates to:
1. Always question authority.
2. Don’t attack the person, attack the stem of the problem.
4. Look beyond the surface.
5. Failure is good, but failure with humility is better.
6. When put in a position to lead, know what you’re responsible for, and what you have to do. 7. Know your worth.
8. Do the work that’s assigned to you. 9. Never get by on living a lie.
10. You define your own definition of success.
“New people, new places and new beginnings. We’ll be independent taking the first silent step towards our future, where nothing is guaranteed, and nothing is scripted,” Boyd said.