‘Bags are well packed’ – Bright futures await with $11.25 million in college scholarships and grants
By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times
Members of KCSD administration and board celebrate KHS’ class of 2015
KENNETT SQUARE – Thousands gathered on Kennett High School’s (KHS) lawn Friday evening; with the school’s iconic architecture providing the backdrop for a commencement ceremony set within the heart of a community.
A warm, breezy evening embraced graduates and their loved ones as school flags, banners and decorations blew majestically; setting a picturesque stage while sending off KHS’ 124th graduating class in a grand, traditional style.
The 2015 commencement ceremony maintained a strong theme of students continuing their journey, while standing at important crossroads, mixed with a healthy dose of hometown pride. Student speakers included Katherine R. Gallivan (Invocation), Peter J. O’Sullivan – President Class of 2015 (Address of Welcome), Peter J. Lattanzio (We Have Drawn Our Maps), Hannah R. Shiflet (We Have Packed Our Bags), Katherine Bolten (We Have Abandoned Our Fears), Zixuan ‘Zack’ Shen (And Now We Choose Our Paths.)
Graduates create a ‘sea’ of blue & white blanketing KHS’ front lawn.
Gallivan thanked the hundreds of classmates, teachers, parents, coaches and mentors who provided an incredible support system that helped students to “navigate an uncertain landscape…..While we gaze upon new horizons we will remember our beloved hometown of Kennett and be grateful that this is where our journey began.”
O’Sullivan quoted KHS’ soccer coach, Mike Barr, “We live in America’s town,” noting, “Each of us is irrefutably a product of our environment here and Kennett…with a totally unique demographic and it is undeniably the future of our nation…we truly owe America’s town and KHS for who we are today, and who will be tomorrow.”
Lattanzio explained that at KHS ‘We Have Drawn Our Own Maps.’ We each began by “starting small, sketching borders, rivers, making new friends…and eventually, we drew towns, cities and roads…joining clubs and finding where we fit in whether it is on the stage, on the field or in the classroom.” He reflected, “We filled in the terrain too…valleys for stressful nights of homework and mountain tops for sunny spring days spent with friends and family…We should be proud of the maps that we have completed here today.”
Shiflet gave thanks to KHS for ‘Packing Our Bags’, and said “We are leaving with everything we will need…classrooms that encouraged the pursuit of knowledge…hallways where developing social skills in a diverse environment were provided, activities and clubs where we learned the importance of volunteering and giving back to our community…to cheering on our athletes at sporting events and talented actors in plays; we all saw the power of teamwork and encouragement in action.”
KHS’ Assistant Principal, Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins, looks on the class of 2015 with pride.
Bolten spoke of ‘Abandoning Our Fears’ and offered an introspective turning point when one of her teachers said, “Kate, I can’t wait to see what happens when you fail,” she says, at first she laughed and thought it was odd. Eventually, Bolten realized he was right. “Picking ourselves back up after each time life brings us down makes us even stronger…next time we aren’t afraid to make mistakes, our failures make us fearless.” Bolten challenged her classmates to “Go out there. Laugh in the faces of those who tell you that you can’t. Save the world. Cure cancer. Be fearless.”
Shen, spoke to ‘Choosing Our Paths’ and provided heartfelt remarks, “People would have never guessed that I would be speaking in front all of you on this day. The district once tested me and classified me as having a speech and learning disability….making the recommendation that I receive therapy.” Shen admitted, “to my young and naive mind this was the most embarrassing experience. But, looking back, I now realize it was an opportunity; an opportunity to better myself. Where would I be if I never tried to being with?” Shen went on to challenge his peers to “Live your lives as one magnificent opportunity.”
Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) Board President, Heather Schaen, offered graduates three pieces of sage advice that have made the most impact on her life. “First, don’t quit. Tough times don’t last but tough people do, keep going.” In a world full of technology and continual access to information, she asked students to “Take time to savor the moment and give the people around you the attention they deserve.” And lastly, Schaen said, “Cherish and thank the people in your life. The most important experiences, including your time at KHS, will always be about the people.”
Peter J. O’Sullivan receives KHS’ top honor – The W. Earle Rupert Memorial Cup
Ceremony highlights included an acapella performance of Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance; and the presentation of nearly ninety scholarships and awards.
Peter J. O’Sullivan was awarded KHS’ highest honor, the W. Earle Rupert Memorial Cup. The award is given to the senior member of the National Honor Society who, in the judgment of the faculty, is deserving of this special honor by virtue of scholarship, school spirit, and service to Kennett High School. The recipient’s name will be inscribed on the cup, and the award will be supplemented by the Lions Club Prize.
As of May 20th 2015, KHS’ graduating class has reported earning more than $11.25 million in college scholarships and grants. For additional information about Kennett High School, please visit kcsd.org.
I appreciate the story and honor the graduates!
Ms. Chiomento, I’d gently suggest that you find a good grammar book and refresh your knowledge on the use of semicolons and commas. Complete but separate thoughts can be linked with a semicolon, but those thoughts must be grammatically complete as well — each must be a sentence that could stand on its own. All four of your semicolons should therefore be commas, though that change would present stylistic issues in that those sentence would become cumbersome; a re-write would be well advised.
A single comma that comes between a noun and its verb is incorrect, as is a comma that separates two complete sentences. A comma that introduces a quotation must come immediately after the verb; adding “heartfelt remarks” after “provided” is incorrect.
It’s unfortunate that an article about education should be so full of significant grammar errors; I counted 25, and I was being generous. It’s hard to take a publication seriously when its reporters and editors don’t demonstrate writing mastery. Readers are willing to read around errors to get to the heart of an article to a certain extent, but the deficiencies in this piece are much too distracting.
Thank you for your input.
My people work very hard, they’re not perfect, nor well paid. All are members of the community and take time away from their families to go and report the news — news you get to read for free. This is a labor of love for all of us, certainly not one that will make us rich.
I find it rankly unfair to attack them personally while hiding behind anonymity yourself.
I’ll proudly say there might not be a perfect story on any site we own. We try our best, we work nights and weekends and do our level best to inform and entertain readers around Chester County. The vast majority of our readers seem to understand and appreciate that fact — those are the ones for whom we keep doing this.
It isn’t perfect. It isn’t going to be perfect. We will strive to get better each and every day, but will never reach perfection. It is, however, something we do with passion and love for our communities and people.
If that’s not good enough for you, so be it. It’s fine with me and it sure seems to be with the vast majority of our readers.
“Anonymously” I love an engaged audience; it’s a part of what makes my job rewarding and fun. I appreciate your detailed writing tips, thank you. Since you have not identified yourself, I will “anonymously” thank you for taking time to write to me and for reading The Times. All the best in your journey toward finding a publication that meets your needs. Kim