The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Class of 2017 embarking on new journey
VERONA » Despite a rainy forecast earlier in the week, family, friends, educators, and the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Class of 2017 were graced with sunny skies on Saturday to bid farewell to their high school and to embrace the unknown road ahead.
Superintendent Martha Group addressed the 170 soon-to-be graduates, reminding them of the theme of their yearbook and to carry their high school experiences with them. “What you have learned during your time here in this community will equip you to become citizens of the world,” she said.
“Live your life to the fullest, and don’t regret things,” were the wise words that VVS’ Salutatorian Julia Gilmour gave her fellow classmates as their time at
VVS came to a close. “I’m not quite sure when it really set in that we would be leaving this school to go on to do greater things. Whether youare going into the armed forces, college, or the workforce, we all have one thing in common: we are all graduating. That Super Bowl of high school, as Mr. Andy Brown would call it.”
Leading her class into their final ceremony, threeterm class president Juliana Nouza reassured her classmates of how remarkable they really were. ”I’ve seen this class’ potential, and I know that we can accomplish great things,” she said. Nouza prompted her fellow classmates to “remember that people will help you, but ultimately you are responsible for you. Live your life.”
Last to speak for the VVS Class of 2017 was Valedictorian Cali Slawiak, who quoted C.S. Lewis on how quickly time passes, and tying it to the progression of their journey through high school from freshmen to senior year. After thanking parents, educators, and those who have helped on the way, Slawiak addresses her classmates one last time.
“It has been a pleasure in getting to know you all and getting to make some extraordinary memories,” she said. “Somehow, we all made it through high school to today. Now, we are each set to embark, individually, on the next part of our journey.”