Commencement speakers emphasize leadership, doing good
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Kennett High School members of the class of 2013 lineup to receive their diplomas, Saturday, during graduation.
KENNETT SQUARE – In order to become a successful adult, the high school graduate must forge a place in society.
During graduation — the school’s 122nd commencement ceremony — on Saturday, the Kennett High School Class of 2013 emphasized how realizing and creating opportunities in high school prepared them to continue that process later in life.
On the steps of their now alma mater, graduates reminisced about their scholastic careers, about adjusting to the strange world of secondary education and how they now must adjust to college, careers, or whatever may follow.
After the graduates walked out the doors of the place where they grew and learned to be surrounded by a sprawling crowd of family and friends, graduate Fiona A. Smith opened the proceedings by comparing the class families.
Between bands, sports teams, or just groups of friends, everyone had a role. Their interactions with each other shaped them as individuals in a way that will continue to impact them beyond the day’s ceremonies.
Erin Kraynie and Katherine Coughlan play a musical selection on flute while David Beech accompanies on piano.
“As we move on, we’ll always keep a piece of these families in our hearts,” she said.
Class President Carl O. Lowe Jr. emphasized this unity, making sure to stamp his class’s identity onto his message.
“Together, we are so fresh, so clean, the Class of 2013,” he declared to the elation of his classmates.
But Commencement Speaker Alexandra S. Brooks emphasized finding an identity was not just about joining the right club or becoming closer with friends. Their identities were shaped by world events, politics and recessions.
Commencement Speaker Connor X. Roth told the story of his great-grandmother, who came to the US from Ireland to afford her posterity better prospects. These family stories also influence the graduate’s efforts to find a place in the world.
“Regardless of how your ancestors arrived in America, they had the burning desire for a better future for their descendants,” he said.
Principal Michael A. Barber implores students to keep the big picture in mind as they progress through life.
Commencement Speaker Krista R. Lafferty told her classmates that in order to be good members of society, they must first examine what ‘good’ means. Good is not just about income or grades but doing good deeds.
Nupur B. Parikh, the final commencement speaker told his classmates that graduation was just another step in a journey they embarked on long ago. While politicians may be the famous names, leadership is a role that anyone can step into.
“Our guiding lights have been growing day by day since we started breathing,” he said to them.
Assistant Principal Raymond A. Fernandez felt this way, too. He emphasized the lessons that can still be learned from Dr. Suess, The Three Little Pigs, or Pinocchio.
District Superintendent Dr. Barry W. Tomasetti listed the biggest events that took place during the graduates’ time in school. He wanted to make sure that they understood the world they were entering and their place in it. More importantly, he made sure that they understood that the world will be constantly changing, as will their places in it.
School Board President Douglas B. Stirling presents a diploma to one of the new graduates.
“Are you ready?” he challenged them. “Will you adapt to the changing world?”
For a few moments, a light rain fell as the students received their diplomas. They walked across the steps that they walked across countless times before but never on such a momentous occasion.
John T. Boyer Jr. from the Class of 1997 said that Kennett has prepared them, now they must assure that they go above and beyond. He read “Pretty Good”, a poem by Charles Osgood and told the graduates that ‘pretty good’ is not good enough. As a fifth grade teacher in the district, he actually taught some of the students who were graduating. He encouraged them to change people’s lives, as the district changed theirs and his.
“I have a great job. I love what I do, and I owe it to my family here at Kennett,” he acknowledged.
Principal Michael A. Barber closed the ceremony, stressing that the Class of 2013 strive for greatness. He told them that he loved them, said they made the school a better place than when they came in. He wanted them to do the same for the world.
“I implore you to go forward with a greater good in mind, while being true to yourself.”
