Class of 2010 Celebrates Commencement

Sunday was brought to the graduating class of 2010 by the letter G: graduation, giving, getting, good-byes and good luck, all wished upon these students from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School principal Stephen Nixon, who hoped they would carry the lessons learned at high school with the same enthusiasm as they had those from Sesame Street.

A group praised for their individual talents and passions gathered together one last time to celebrate each other under the sanctuary of the Oak Bluff’s Tabernacle. It wasn’t to hear one of their acclaimed singers, cheer on a post-season game, or attend a gallery show to view students’ work; it was to walk down the aisle two by two and commence on their next chapter in life.

The Tabernacle pews bent with tradition and moisture, as people stood on them to get a better view of the graduates. Rain held off as a live band entertained a packed crowd, and it seemed every student had his or her own cheering squad.

In purple and white gowns, the graduates marched in to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance, but their speeches told of a class that reached beyond the ordinary.

“Boundaries are pushed, mistakes are made and forgiven, students are treated as individuals, we party, we dance, we create things, we sometimes miss our mark, we go with our guts and stick to our guns, for better and for worse and we grow,” Tessa Permar, class salutatorian, said in her address to her classmates.

One boundary pushed in recent weeks was whether some Brazilian-born students would be allowed to wear scarves representing their heritage. After the school committee reversed the principal’s course and allowed them to wear the scarves, those graduating with Brazilian colors around their necks and diploma in hand knew they were fortunate.

“I made it, and so many don’t get to,” Fernanda Silva said before the ceremony. “It’s awesome to show our nationality.”

“It was a fight,” Matheus Dos Santos said. “But I feel proud of what we did.”

They weren’t the only ones with ceremonial scarves. Members of the National Honor Society and Young Brothers to Men wore them; one student wore a lei, and a few even wore Mardi-Gras like beads.

There was no mention during the ceremony of the scarf controversy that preceded graduation. This event was about all of the students, not any one group.

Students from all different grades participated in the combined chorus to perform You Are the New Day by Peter Knight. Purple and white gowns dotted the group of students, and as they descended the risers to receive their diplomas, seniors were all given big hugs.

“The graduating class of 2010 is one big family,” student council president Brianna Davies said in her speech. “This year we have grown as a class, but also as individuals . . . no matter what we’ve done, we always had support from one another.”

Brianna highlighted high school moments which showed the students’ dependence on each other, including their senior prank that went awry — she thanked the rest of the senior class for letting the 30 students involved know that the school was surrounded by police cruisers.

Class essayist Hayley Pierce remembered when she drove to school for the first time her junior year; after growing impatient waiting to pull out of her space, she decided to drive forward and found herself stuck on the parking block divider. It didn’t take long for a group of other students to rush over and help her over the rest of the bump.

Between inside jokes, Mr. Nixon paused to thank retiring teachers for their dedication, which was met with a standing ovation. The five teachers had contributed a combined 124 years of service.

Mr. Nixon also recognized three outstanding students this year. Caitlyn Clark and Marcus Hopkins were awarded the Vineyarder Award for their stellar academic accomplishments, compassion towards other and contribution to the high school community. The Principal’s Award went to Michael Kendall, and was described by Mr. Nixon as “someone who’s done it all” both inside and outside the classroom.

In his charge to the graduates, Mr. Nixon advised students to give as much as they receive in life. “Give days will be the true mark of your character,” Mr. Nixon said. “In fact, give days will be the true measure of whether we, who care about you, have done our job successfully.”

Giving is not a new concept to the members of this graduating class. Many have participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and in peer leadership programs at the high school, hosted blood drives, volunteered in community gardens, and donated a new tree for the front of the high school.

About two-thirds of the class will continue on to four-year colleges including Vassar College, Connecticut College, West Point, the University of Miami and the University of North Carolina; some will take a year off to travel or serve; others will begin working.

Tessa asked her fellow classmates to challenge themselves no matter where they end up next. “Leave your high school self behind, take only what you absolutely need,” she said. “Because if you are curious and brave enough to find things that you are passionate about, you will discover new communities as close or closer than the one you have built in high school.”

Leaving the Island for the first time will pose a challenge to most as they leave behind the community that has supported them. But one thing they will not miss is the ferry.

“Knowing [another Islander] too will be rushing to catch the boat at the end of their trip gives me a sense of comfort, [and] although next year holds a lot of unsure obstacles for us, there is one we will all be glad to be rid of: the boat,” Hayley said in her address.

But the sense of community these graduates have come to love and depend on will always be there for them. Tessa reminded her classmates that, “you are no longer bound by your roots, you are grounded by them.”

Valedictorian and winner of this year’s Outstanding Student Award given by Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss, Shaelah Huntington, echoed the other speakers’ sentiments, but urged the seniors to always remember where they came from.

“Now, as we make our way into this so-called real world, remember who you were on our little rock, remember how things are done in Island form,” Shaelah said. “Weave it into who we are becoming.”

Shaelah also borrowed from a childhood favorite storyteller, Winnie the Pooh, in her closing remarks. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together . . . there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think,” she said, adding: “Don’t ever forget that, because that tomorrow starts today.”

Before students recessed out to Rusted Root’s Send Me on My Way, Mr. Nixon left the class of 2010 with one last word of advice.

“Start small, I advise you, but think big. A kind thought or a small gesture can begin your entrance to this journey you now undertake. Let this journey begin now.”

 

This article appears in June 15, 2010.