Tears of joy were flowing and memories were shared at Greenport High School’s 133rd commencement ceremony on Saturday.
High School Principal Len Skuggevik, in his opening remarks, quoted former New York City Mayor Ed Koch: “The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a fuse. Each one of you is a lighted match.”
He also quoted Alan Alda and said, “You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can’t get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover will be yourself.”
Speaking emotionally to the Class of 2014, Skuggevik said, “Don’t be afraid to be the very best at something. You should all be used to that by now — you’re Porters.”
Speaking of the graduates’ accomplisments, Skuggevik reminded that for the second year, Greenport High School had ranked in the top eight percent in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Next, he read a proclamation from United States President Barack Obama. “Smart, driven young people like you remind me that America’s best days are yet to come,” the president wrote.
Following his unique tradition, Skuggevik took the time to share personal stories and memories of some of the graduates.
One student, he said, walked into his office five years ago when she was in eighth grade and wanted to tell him that a friend was considering making a bad choice, and contemplating cutting class. “She cared enough about her friend to want to help before she made a mistake,” the principal said, noting that the friend did go to class, after all.
He gave a shout out to graduate Gavin Dibble, as well as Kayleigh Commins, whom he said had confronted adversity, as had Max Eggiman, telling them how proud he was of their accomplishments.
Mary Creedon, he said, was the first girl to graduate from the school’s girls varsity track team — and was also valedictorian.
Quoting Briana Pagano, an aspiring writer headed to Princeton, he said, “Pages are my passport to another world.”
Of Schuyler Gillispie, Skuggevik lauded her selfless community service, the mark of a person of value, he said, and added that her Humans of Greenport Facebook page had garnered scores of fans.
Skuggevik also gave a shout out to Jack Volinski, Brandi Gonzalez, Paige Confort, Cole Mezynieski, and Dory Lieblein, sharing special memories and adding that he wished there were time to mention each graduate individually.
Lieblein, he added, is ranked the #2 NJROTC cadet in the state.
Next, Skuggevik continued another well-loved tradition of giving special gifts to certain student, that had private, and sometimes funny, meanings. Christopher Sponza received a role of duct tape and Max Eggiman, a used backpack; the principal told a story of how Eggiman, when faced with a younger student who’d lost his $10 for a charity event, gave him his last $10. “Find a little bit of karma in this backpack,” he siad. “You’ll know when to use it.”
Speaking to all the students, Skuggevik said, “You will never really know how much you’ve come to mean to me. We love you and will miss you dearly.”
Four students gave addresses. Victoria Prechnik’s centered on “This is Only the Beginning”. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” she said. “The Class of 2014 is more like a family.” She added, “Your attitude will determine the outcome. Be yourself. The future is yours.”
Dory Lieblein’s speech included stories about the friends she’d made over the years. Tears streaming down her face, she thanked her mother and the rest of her family; her mom was crying in the audience, too.
Reflecting on why she’d chosen to speak about friendships, Lieblein said, “Aren’t the bonds we formed in high school more important than anything we learned? Life is short. We need to appreciate everyone in our lives.”
Speaking on “Chapter Two,” Briana Pagano urged her classmate to savor the little moments, because in the end, they are everything. “In four years, make four million memories,” she said. “Fall down, laugh, and get right back up. Live for sunrise and sunsets and road trips.” Resignation, she said, is the only true failure.
Mary Creedon, speaking on “The Empathetic Chronology of Life,” recalled elementary school moments and highlights of high school years but said, “I’d rather live in anticipation of the future than by attempting to recreate the past,” which, she said had been perfect. She thanked the Rotary for fueling her passion for travel and thirst to see the world. “The best is yet to come”.
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