Eldred Class of 2008 moves on

By ISABEL BRAVERMAN

ELDRED, NY — Eldred Central High School held its graduation for the Class of 2008 on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony took place outside in the front lawn in 90-degree weather, making it a sweaty situation for the grads and the audience alike. But overriding all was the sense of a small, unified community, with the small size of the graduating class—only 58 students—underlining the intimacy of the setting.

The students proceeded to the stage in pairs of male and female to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by a performance of the National Anthem. Principle Scott Krebs gave the words of welcome. He started by saying that “graduation could be another word for opportunity and choice.” He then expounded on the benefits of opportunity and choice, and how the graduating class will now experience them. He ended his speech by saying, “One bit of advice: try something new.” Krebs’ words describe the feeling of spontaneity that the graduates now feel.

The superintendent, Berneice Brownell, then gave the introduction, leading off with,“Hasn’t this year just flown by?”—a phrase that seniors have grown quite used to. In her speech, she bestowed upon the graduating class a list of advice. This included admonitions to share, take risks, smile, keep track of friends, always wear comfy shoes, learn something new, vote, ask questions and the “old kindergarten rule:” watch for traffic and hold hands. Guest speaker Robert Burrow, following Brownell, stressed the political. In his speech, he addressed the importance of staying active in government, and reminded the graduating class that government starts from the bottom up; in other words, with us, the common people.

The students had their turn to speak following Burrow. Valedictorian Grace Babula, who is going to Williams College, began her speech by explaining a tragedy that occurred earlier in the year to her family when their house burnt down. She commented on the kindness of the community and her fellow students in all the help and support that they supplied. She said she admired her town’s little community, quoting Margaret Mead’s words, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” She ended her warming speech with the words, “Class of 2008, don’t forget where you’ve come from; after all, there’s no place like home.” Salutatorian Celia Oset, who will attend SUNY Oneonta, also spoke.

At the presentation of awards and scholarships, the top 10 students, who all happened to be girls, were also announced, along with the list of scholarships, which amounted to an impressive $150,000 for the small class collectively.

The most important aspect of graduation, the presentation of diplomas, brought the ceremony to a climax. After all students received their diplomas, a charge of energy could be felt in the air as Principle Krebs officially announced the class as graduates. Applause and cheers erupted as the 2008 graduates threw their caps into the air. This marked the end of the ceremony, and the graduates walked out to greet their friends and family, no longer as high school students. They are moving on and plan to, as Principle Krebs says, “be brave and explore the big world.”