Schools
Shelton High School's Class Of 2011 Steps Out Into The World
A glorious pre-summer's eve set the stage for 366 graduates to receive their diplomas Monday night.
They survived bomb threats, a horrible fire, a litany of snow days, not to mention having a science experiment take flight into space and overcoming national media attention when one of their own asked his date to the prom.
Those events, both good and bad, weren‘t nearly enough to stop Shelton High School’s Class of 2011 from graduating Monday night.
A refreshing summer breeze embraced the 366 seniors who filed onto the field at Edward C. Finn Stadium for annual commencement exercises. An adoring crowd sitting high atop jam-packed bleachers were armed with cameras, balloons and bouquets of roses. They cheered as girls, donning white gowns and mortarboards and boys looking dapper in black, took their seats in the center of the field.
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As the familiar notes of “Pomp and Circumstance” waned to a close, the graduates tossed striped beach balls high into the air, blew bubbles and gently bounced black and orange balloons back and forth to each other.
After singing a rendition of Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish,” the class listened intently to advice, well-wishes and wisdom from their fellow classmates and others.
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“It’s been an eventful year, one filled with snow days, bomb threats, national and state championships and Tate,” said Class President William Price. “The purpose of today is to start each and everyone’s lives for the journey nobody can predict. That is the beauty in life and that is the mystery. And the only way to ensure that beauty and to solve that mystery is live it.“
Prince further encouraged his fellow graduates to take a cue from renown explorer Robert Falcon Scott, saying “We have no idea what’s around the bend…but from this day forward, we are on our own exploration to discover success and happiness.”
When Class Essayist, Omar Sobh, took to the podium, he spoke of how he and four fellow students created a one-of-a-kind science experiment that was performed by astronauts last month during the final, historic mission of Space Shuttle Endeavor. He encouraged his friends to continue to aim high and reach for the stars.
“Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world; so, Shelton High School, Class of 2011, go change the world,” Sobh said.
Salutatorian Margaret Siu encouraged her fellow classmates to take the world by storm, saying “the world is ours, and every choice we make will determine who we are.”
As she prepares to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland this fall, Class Valedictorian Kelli Freer, highlighted the class’ numerous shining moments, ranging from the girls soccer team clinching a state championship and having a national wrestling finalist among them to the space experiment and various academic excellence achieved by many.
“Whatever comes next, we will conquer it,” Freer said. “Each one of us will reach out and experience the world. We will be fearful, but at the same time, we will be fearless. And no matter what, together as a class, we have each other to fall back on.”
SHS Headmaster Beth Smith said the one-of-a-kind class is “destined for great things,” as she wished them all the success and happiness as they set forth into the world.
Smith was also proud to say that “85 percent” of the graduating class will head off to college in the fall, with many slated to attend the likes of UCONN, the College of William and Mary, Tufts University, the University of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti also encouraged the graduates to embrace all life has to offer them, by quoting the famous Walt Disney himself.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” he said.
With that, Smith, along with Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr, handed out the diplomas to uproarious applause.
