Class of 2014 Gets it Right

As senior class advisors Kendra Claussen and Oren Iospovici noted, there was little drama surrounding the graduation of the class of 2014 and very few bumps along the way for this congenial class during their progression through four years at the high school. ... no drunken homecoming dance, stairwell gridlock or pranks before Junior Olypics to mark their passage. This class seemed to have done it right and enjoyed four years of exploration, education and fun, making the most of their time at Scarsdale High School.

Even the weather was perfect for the commencement ceremony on Friday June 27 at Dean Field –fair skies and manageable temperatures obviated the need for the ambulances which two years ago carried fainting observers from the stands during a heat wave.

The cooperative class of 356 students convened at the gym at 9 am for their last photo opp before lining up in alphabetical order to parade across the span of SHS and onto Dean Field where they were greeted by parents, grandparents, teachers and administrators.

After "Pomp and Circumstance" from the high school band, School Board President Suzanne Seiden thanked the parents for "getting students into these seats today," and told the graduating seniors that they have made lifelong friends with classmates who will share their joys and sorrows in the years to come. She encouraged the students to relish and preserve these relationships with their fellow students as well as teachers, deans and coaches. Telling the students they have "learned how to learn" she encouraged the to be engaged citizens, to demonstrate "non sibi", to care deeply about the lives and others and last to seize each and everyday.

This graduation marked retiring Superintendent Michael McGill's last in Scarsdale and he gave his farewell remarks, providing insight into his own educational path and providing some sage advice to the graduates.

We learned that McGill's father was a dean at SHS while he was growing up in Chappaqua. Despite his father's passion for education, it was not until 11th grade that McGill became excited about school when an English teacher changed his life and helped him make sense of the world. Ultimately this passion for education led McGill to follow his father into the family business, education. He told the SHS students that they had received an education that is "second to none," and lamented the fact that many in the U.S. do not have the same opportunity. He urged the class to help others in the U.S. to receive great educations, saying, "How else will we make the promise of democracy real? How will you change the world?

He then provided some more personal parting words of wisdom to the young audience:

He said:

-Persevere in finding love, as love endures.-Endure calamity and emerge stronger from the experience
-You don't need to have an answer to every problem
-Let things come to you; serendipity can yield pleasant surprises
-Kiss your parents and tell them you love them (which brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience.)

He ended by telling the departing seniors to "go the distance, take it one game at a time, believe in yourself and remember that the game ain't over till it's over. You are the shining class of 2014. You are Scarsdale. Much is expected of you. Go forth, be good people and make the world a better place."

Class Advisor Kendra Claussen and Oren Iosepovici said it was difficult to be funny when things had run so smoothly. After pausing for a "selfie" with Dr. McGill they reminisced about Jr. Olympics, the carnival, the senior class play and four years of an outstanding experience for the class the advisors.

Class Vice President Julia Feldstein thanked the faculty and staff for "supporting us, educating us and teaching us independence," and parents who "shared the journey" and passed on their "values, work ethic and passion." Class President Chris D'Silva claimed that "We are the best class the school has had in the visible past and the foreseeable future." He boasted that clubs exploded with activity and there was "never a boring school day." He said, "we connected as a community," and remembered two classmates who passed away, Tyler Madoff and Allana Calder saying "we all felt a sense of loss .... They are truly missed." (The class remembered Madoff by pinning blue ribbons to their graduatio robes.) D'Silva encouraged his classmates to "keep what we have built – to never forget the relationships and what we have learned." He ended by saying "Together we changed the school, now we can change much more."

Principal Kenneth Bonamo recalled radio personality Casey Kasem the man behind "The American Top 40 show" where he played and counted down the top songs on the radio. Bonamo sent out a pre-emptive "long distance dedication" to the class of 2014 telling that that "we have prepared you well enough that you might succeed." Echoing Kasem's signature sign-off after he played the #1 song he said, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." He advised the class to "honor your past as you seek your future."

With that, Dr. McGill and Principal Bonamo certified the class of 2014 and they filed forth to receive their diplomas. After 356 students shook hands with the principal, were photographed in front of the flag, everyone returned to their seats to toss their hats aloft. The ceremony went off without a hitch – just like the class of 2014's four years at SHS. Hats off to you.

If you have a photo of your grad you would like to add to the photo gallery, please email it to [email protected].