Seniors say a final goodbye at graduation

As the band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” this year’s graduating seniors, wearing navy blue or white gowns, took their seats with pride and joy. This year’s 51st graduation commencement program for the class of 2012 took place on June 7 at 6 p.m.

The evening started with a music performance of “America the Beautiful” by both the band and the choir under Seth Jones and Michael Boitz respectively. Following the performance, principal Jeff Anderson gave an introductory message that welcomed the audience, thanked the faculty who had worked countless hours to ensure the graduation process went smoothly and introduced the student speakers.

The first student address was by senior Penelope Burgess, who delivered a message of encouragement and reminiscence. Her speech focused on a list of things that she had learned at Saratoga High, such as learning “what a block schedule was.” 

“What matters is what you think of yourself,” she said. “Self-respect among us youngins is a rare find, but when you find it, you’d better hold onto it.”

The next senior address was given by senior David Eng, who emphasized that the balance between academics and extracurriculars and between book intelligence and street intelligence was of extreme importance. 

Senior Megan Benzing’s speech followed. “In the next few months, we will all be in different cities, on different coasts at different schools,” she said. “But one thing that we will always have with us the memory of the love and support for our class through thick and thin.” Benzing also emphasized that as well as looking through the past with happiness, it is important to look ahead to the future with confidence.

Before the last senior speech was delivered, senior class officers Nicole Shadman, Stephanie Shimizu, Annie Barco and Dominic Guerci, presented gifts to the parents who had helped set up the whole process of Grad Night. 

Senior Joshua Harris’ speech mentioned Bob Dylan’s 1975 release of his new album release, “Blood on the Tracks.” He paralleled the song “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” to the feelings of sorrow felt during the graduation ceremony. In addition to singing some of the verses of the song, Harris admitted that he didn’t feel prepared for the change that the future would hold. 

“[College] is a new chapter,” Harris said. “A chapter with greater independence and abundant dorm rooms, but no family rooms. These are broadening horizons.” He said that the class of 2012 will need to cope with the turning of a new page, “a page whose print is blank, and yet to be defined.”  

The reading of the diplomas followed, and the senior class officers also presented retiring assistant principal Karen Hyde with her own promotional graduation cap, which signified that she was “not retiring, but rather, graduating with the class of 2012.”

After the presentation of the 2012 graduates by the Board of Trustees, the recessional followed. The rest of the evening composed of more music performances of “Omaha Beach” and “Rolling Thunder” by the band, and was dedicated to finding graduates in the field and taking memorable photos with loved ones.