Dover-Sherborn High School graduates heading into the world

Dover —

As the breeze pulled at his blue graduation cap, Dover-Sherborn High School Class of 2011 President Jake Philip Vacovec laughed and repeated parts of his speech into the microphone, competing with the roar of the wind and the threatening storm clouds above.

“What comes next is sort of a mystery for all of us,” Vacovec said to the audience as well as the class of seniors seated behind him. “Many of us look forward to the future and what it brings … but its all the things we keep with us when we leave here that are infinitely important.”

On Thursday, June 2, the Dover-Sherborn community watched as 118 students received their high school diplomas, turned their tassels and threw their graduation caps in the air in celebration.

The ceremony took place at the Nathaniel Frothingham Field, the day after a tornado warning was issued across the state. Luckily, most of the storm had passed, but the wind lingered, causing a few graduates to wrap themselves tightly in their gowns.

“It was definitely windy,” graduate Kristan Mary Bertschmann said. “But I am so glad that the ceremony was outside.”

With performances by the Dover-Sherborn Concert Band, the Junction St. Harmonics and the Nomads Vocal Ensemble, the ceremony was filled with a selection of compositions that nearly brought the graduating class to tears.

“No matter where we go from here, we have something in common,” said declamation finalist Phoebe Leigh Laughlin as she addressed her peers. “This ceremony means something for all of us.”

Fellow declamation finalist Ashley Juretha Cooper added feelings she thought her whole class experienced as they reached a milestone in their educational careers.

“I can feel the real world breathing down my neck,” she told the audience. “That’s what graduating does to us.”

As Headmaster Denise Lonergan reached the podium to present the class, fireworks were set off on the side of the field. The audience’s reaction was one of surprise, though graduate and National Honor Society member Katrina Alexandra Miaoulis, said, “The fireworks are kind of a tradition.”

When the fireworks ended and the audience’s attention returned, Lonergan began her speech to the Class of 2011, with what she hoped and expected from them in the future.

“I hope you achieve your dreams no matter what they are,” Lonergan said. “Make the world a better place and cultivate happiness and balance in your lives.” At the end of her speech, she turned to the senior class with a smile and added, “Good luck and be sure to visit.”

Accepting the class was Superintendent Valerie Spriggs, whose speech was short and direct with one point she wanted the class to take with them.

“I have one word I want the students to take,” Spriggs said. “And that word is ‘believe.’ Believe in yourselves. Believe in each other. Believe in your dreams.”

And, with that, Regional School Committee members Shelly Poulsen and Richard Robinson were invited on stage to present the diplomas.

There were 118 diplomas handed out that day, with 37 going to students in the National Honor Society and 16 going to members of the World Language Honor Society.

“It’s always great to watch this change-of-life ceremony,” Sherborn Selectman Thomas Twining said after commenting how hard the students worked to achieve all that they did. Both Twining and Dover Selectman Joseph Melican were present at the graduation, and also gave their greetings to the students who were leaving the community for their next stage in life.

“It was a very nice ceremony and a great milestone in their lives,” said James Zuckernick, father of graduate Sameul David Zuckernik. “The energy and optimism of high school graduates was very high, and it was both melancholy and exciting.”

Though the students will be spread to different colleges and universities, Kyle Fryer left to serve the Marines, so her sister accepted her diploma.

“I’m very happy with the groups of kids in the town,” said Larry Maher, father of graduate Tyler Lawrence Maher. “I couldn’t ask more out of a high school.”

The graduates shared a bittersweet feeling as they threw their caps in the air.

“In just four years of knowing each other, it feels like we’ve known each other forever,” said Vacovec. “But we will always remember our roots.”

Jessica Bolandrina

Evan Koslof
6/9/11


Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/dover/news/education/x1725638285/Dover-Sherborn-High-School-graduates-heading-into-the-world#axzz1OodTXdql