Commencement Day: Hail to the Class of 2005
Tabernacle Is Stage for 195 Graduates at Regional High
By RACHEL KOVAC
Sunday was an afternoon for storytelling as the Class of 2005 was
graduated from the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. With
humor and sensitivity, students and school leaders drew on the past and
looked to the future while the 195 graduates sat listening under the
protective covering of the Tabernacle. The warm weather and blazing sun
only added to the excitement.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_marshalls_sm.jpg" "This truly has been a most excellent adventure,"
Jonathan Ryan told his classmates after welcoming family and friends to
the 46th annual commencement.
Mr. Ryan reminded his classmates this was a day to celebrate their
own accomplishments and to thank the people who helped them reach their
goals. Then he told the audience to remember graduation is a day to
celebrate the students.
Salutatorian Patrick Smadbeck laid the welcome mat for all the
people who were at the ceremony and for those who could not attend.
"It would seem the job I have been sent to do is to deliver
the final big welcome before the beginning of the good-byes," he
said.
He then turned the stage over to his brother, the class essayist.
Jamie Smadbeck spoke on the subject of seriousness, which he
concluded comprises many characteristics: responsibility, initiative,
creativity and even humor. He added that his own unwillingness to treat
graduation seriously - by procrastinating and writing several
drafts of the speech as jokes - was a sign that he was scared of
leaving his comfortable niche on the Island.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_tabernacle_sm.jpg" "I ended up with a speech that I feel represents everyone. It,
just like all of us, is torn between two feelings: confidence and
uncertainty. Torn between a longing to go on to the next stage of our
lives but also a longing to hold on to the happy memories that our past
school years have made for us," Jamie Smadbeck said.
He told his classmates to walk confidently into the future while
still remembering the lessons of the past. And he challenged them to set
more and more significant goals - and to never forget the humor in
life.
Superintendent G. Paul Dulac presented the Vineyarder Awards and the
Superintendent's Outstanding Student Award.
Mr. Dulac, who has been acting as interim superintendent for only
six months, apologized to the graduates for not having the opportunity
to get to know them better. "It has been my pleasure to learn
about these three people from their friends and teachers," he
said.
The first Vineyarder award went to Michael Pachico, a guitarist and
artist who Mr. Dulac called honest and respectful. Mr. Pachico is also
the first person is his family to continue his education post-high
school; he will be attending Bridgewater State College next year.
"This is a man all of you would like to have as a friend or
colleague," Mr. Dulac said.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_mike_tinus_sm.jpg" The second Vineyarder award went to Kerry O'Donoghue, an ice
hockey player, dancer and a tutor in special education classes. She also
volunteered as a big sister to a child with Down syndrome. "She
has a commitment in the form of time and effort. A motivation to
life," Mr. Dulac said.
Valedictorian Eric Herman earned the Superintendent's
Outstanding Student Award.
Mr. Dulac joked that Mr. Herman had the longest tenure at the high
school of anyone in his class, noting that as an elementary school
student he was already a member of the high school chess club -
and often beating his older competitors. He also noted Mr.
Herman's math prowess and his commitment to music and soccer.
Sincerity and caring could be the qualities that are his destiny, he
concluded.
As the ceremony continued, graduates began tossing a beach ball back
and forth. Observing the festivity, Mr. Dulac told the seniors he
planned to balance the ball on his nose after the ceremony.
He then told them that the values and insights learned during their
18 years on the Island will serve them in the years to come. Be curious,
he said. Be worldly.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_tab_sm.jpg" "Today you will hear a lot about new beginnings," he
said. "Let what you have learned here be what you really take with
you in the future."
Principal Margaret (Peg) Regan honored Jamie Smadbeck as a National
Merit Finalist, a national award presented to students who earn top
scores on the PSAT taken during their junior year of high school. The
Principal's Leadership Award went to senior class president
Jessica Stone and the faculty leadership award was presented to Audrey
Furlong.
Then Ms. Stone took center stage.
"When talking about our futures people ask us, ‘What do
you want to do with your life?' So we all think we must have one
specific ready-to-go answer . . . . But in reality, we're
teenagers; we're going to change our minds a dozen times. Instead
our response should be, ‘I'm going to explore, experience
and enjoy,'" she said.
"You may find your true calling is nothing you expected it to
be, a completely different course than you had planned after high
school," she said, adding:
"Make sure you explore your options. You could discover your
hidden talents, and don't be afraid to change your mind during
these formative years."
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_eric_herman_sm.jpg" The next story was told by Mr. Herman. He walked to the podium
tossing a football.
"Most of you know me as the football coach's son, but
that seems to have taken credit away from my mom, which she deserves,
for she too has to put with me," he said.
After a brief thank you Mr. Herman began his version of the story of
the Class of 2005.
"Once upon a time there lived a class of graduating men and
women on an island far, far away. But before I proceed any further with
the story, I will suggest how we arrived here, at graduation. In the
cracks of school we found time to soak up morning cartoons, enjoy our
fair share of Red Rover, Red Rover during our two recesses each day, and
we practiced. Some of us danced, some of us played sports, some acted on
stage, some of us read and wrote, some of us knit, some fished, some of
us worked a job, some of us created music, while some sang."
Mr. Herman said that during his childhood he contracted
mistakaphobia, the fear of making a mistake. But he said he soon learned
that mistakes are okay, comparing them to the Uh Oh Oreo, the reversed
cookie with chocolate cream on the inside.
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_girls_sm.jpg" "It sells because we as humans understand that mistakes can
still taste good," he said.
Mr. Herman then spoke about Kevin H. Johnson 2nd and David D.
Furino, classmates who died in a car accident in May 2004. Mr. Herman
told of his friends' childhoods and shared his memories of their
time together.
"They both had an impact on each of us and we all have
memories. And in this harsh world I draw my breath in pain, as did
Horatio at the death of his friend Hamlet, to tell their story and show
you all how glad I am to have grown up with them."
Many cried during Mr. Herman's speech, and again later when
both Mr. Furino and Mr. Johnson were awarded diplomas during the
ceremony. As the families of the young men walked across the stage to
accept the certificates, the audience stood, clapping, cheering and
crying.
Mr. Herman concluded: "Each member of this class has a story
to be written. A chapter, perhaps only a prelude has been completed thus
far. I hate to give away the ending, but frankly I don't know
it."
SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/06/07/content/grads_boys_sm.jpg" As Mr. Herman left the stage and took his seat amongst his fellow
classmates Mrs. Regan again addressed the students.
"This class has given me more than I could have ever given
you," she said. "Class of 2005 you will always be with
us."
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