Rye Brook Westmore News Article: BBHS Graduation 2008

102 graduate from Blind Brook High School

Library named for longtime school board member Monroe E. Haas

By Lisa Ganz

Senior Class Advisor Charlene Decker quiets an eager crowd of parents, grandparents, faculty and friends. After much anticipation, the band gears up to play "Grand March" from "Aida." Parents whip out their cameras, frantically trying to find the best angle to capture their child walking into the high school gymnasium. The girls, gowned in white, and the boys, gowned in blue, wearing stoles reading Class of 2008, begin to make their entrance, signaling the start of graduation.

"It's sad to leave behind the people that I have known for so long. I met some of these people in the 2s at KTI preschool," Blind Brook High School graduate Amanda Gottlieb said. "Everyone at Blind Brook has gotten to know each other so well because we have been going to school together forever."

Last Thursday, June 26, families, faculty, and administrators packed the gymnasium to watch the 102 members of the Class of 2008 graduate from Blind Brook High School. The ceremony featured several speeches from students and administrators, the presentation of the senior class gift, and the awarding of diplomas.

The ceremony began as graduate Andrew Benowich led the salute to the flag, followed by graduate Scott Winston performing "God Bless America" alongside the high school band.

Senior class speaker Ben Engle was then introduced by fellow classmate and friend Marc Finder. Finder highlighted Engle's intensity and dedication within his extracurricular pursuits, making him an ideal candidate for class speaker.

"He [Engle] has been a part of more clubs and organizations than is healthy and than I know exist," Finder said.

Engle, who spoke at his middle school graduation in 2003, began his speech by recounting the past 13 years.

"4,678 days: 12 years, 9 months, 21 days ago, we began a journey," he said.

Engle first recalled the memories the Class of 2008 had made during those 4,678 days, since the moment they stepped foot into kindergarten. He recalled what it was like to "perfect imperfect handwriting" in elementary school, to go on Outdoor Education in middle school, and to realize that "this time it counts" when they all entered high school.

After recapping many prominent memories, Engle discussed how the Class of 2008 has endured many changes during its time at Blind Brook. The members of the Class of 2008 were the last under Bruno M. Ponterio's administration and the last sixth grade to be a part of the elementary school, as well. There have been so many changes to Blind Brook the Class of 2008 has witnessed, according to Engle, which has taught every graduate how to deal with change and how to create it.

"We must be part of change. Not the results, but the cause of change," he said. "Blind Brook has not taught us what to think, but how to think."

Engle concluded by drawing the audience back to the beginning of his speech.

"Our journey has not concluded. Begin a new clock for the future. Don't fight change that makes you, your community, your world better," he said. "It has been a great 4,678 days."

Following Engle's speech, 23 members of the high school chorus, led by musical instructor Gabriel DeAngelo, performed "This is the Moment"" and "You'll Never Walk Alone," as they traditionally do at graduation.

Graduate Jamie Florindi then took the podium to introduce the chosen guest speaker, Jane Wermuth, whom Florindi referred to as "a second mother to me." Florindi discussed how the Class of 2008 and Wermuth began their journey at Blind Brook High School together in 2004. She concluded by noting that when students talk to Wermuth, it is like they're "talking to a friend, not an administrator," because of her "warm smile and uplifting personality."

Wermuth, the assistant principal, has watched the Class of 2008 grow and mature during their four years of high school, making her the choice for guest speaker.

Wermuth reached the podium wiping away tears as she explained, "It [Florindi's speech] made me emotional, so I have to catch my breath."

She began her speech by highlighting the life of a child before they enter school, before they are judged, before their strengths and weaknesses are assessed.

"I ask you to remember, for a moment, to remember being a child of the age of three or four," she said.

Wermuth said she was here and has worked so hard with the Class of 2008 over the past four years because, from her first day at Blind Brook, she never judged any of them. Instead, she looked at them like children before they enter school, without the label of "good athlete," or "poor reader."

"I never decided who you were," she said. "That is yours to choose."

Wermuth then shared a story about her friend Maria, an orphan who faced more adversity than most can think of in her lifetime, but continuously fought it, only to earn a degree from Columbia University.

"Why do I tell you this story?" she asked the Class of 2008.

"Because everyone has struggles…" she replied. "Your future, however, is not predetermined."

Wermuth advised the graduates to "take charge of their lives and decide for themselves" and to "remember us at Blind Brook and leave us at Blind Brook."

"Work hard, make yourself proud, and, when you do come back and visit, please do brag. We'll be waiting," she said.

The entire senior class and audience gave Wermuth a loud ovation as she left the podium.

Following Wermuth's speech, graduates and class officers Ben Schultz and Miles Fisher presented the senior class gift, a new speaker system for the high school gymnasium, which will be purchased by the Class of 2009 when they graduate next year. The classes have decided to combine their funds in order to purchase the best speaker system possible.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ronald D. Valenti was then introduced by graduate Rachel Weiner.

"Blind Brook is not like most districts, and Dr. Valenti is not like most superintendents," Weiner said. "He always advocated for the students."

Valenti, after serving the Blind Brook community for 13 years, from 1980-1988 and from 2003-2008, is leaving effective July 31.

"He [Valenti] will surely be missed," Weiner said.

Dr. Valenti addressed the graduates by explaining that graduation is one of those prominent events.

"What a grand setting for such an intimate affair," he said. "Graduation is the time for the deepest doubts and most exhilarating joys. It is a time for goodbyes, yet a time for boundless hope for a life yet to be lived."

Valenti advised the graduates to "dream heroic dreams" and to thank the people that got them there today: their parents, teachers, and friends. He had three blessings for the members of the Class of 2008: hope of never giving up on their principles, wisdom and courage to change what they can, and a life filled with a sense of responsibility and obligation to do for others and begin to repair the world.

"Make certain people are better because they know you," he said. "…the best exercise for the heart is to bend down and lift up someone less fortunate… let that be the legacy from each and all of you: that you gave more than got, loved more than received."

President of the Board of Education Richard Buzin then took the podium to give special presentations to two members of the Blind Brook community who will no longer serve the district next year: Valenti and Monroe E. Haas.

Valenti completed 13 years at Blind Brook, like the Class of 2008, and will be leaving as they do. Valenti, according to Buzin, has taken on the challenges Blind Brook's educational system presented and answered the challenges.

Haas, who served the district for 25 years, was not reelected to the Board of Education in May; thus, his years at Blind Brook have come to an end. Monroe, according to Buzin, was a mentor, confidant, and friend to well over 20 members of the Board of Education. Because of Haas' tenure and "quality of service," the district has renamed the Blind Brook Middle/High School Library the Monroe E. Haas Media Center.

Graduating senior Marshall Rifkin took the podium next to introduce Principal William Stark. He explained that Stark, although new to Blind Brook this year, made a seamless transition. Rifkin recalled meeting Stark when the Class of 2008 painted the rock last August.

"It was a senior year beginning tradition. He had to see it," Rifkin recalled Stark saying when the two first met.

Since then, Stark, according to Rifkin, has been an active member of the Blind Brook community, attending the Junior Class Trip, holding a free pizza lunch, making appearances at Congress meetings, and cheering on Trojan athletics. Stark will be the superintendent at Blind Brook next year.

Stark began by letting the Class of 2008 know that, in his book, like Tony the Tiger would say, "they are great." He made this judgment based on two factors: the quantitative and the non-quantifiable. First, he commended the class for high achievement academically, musically, and athletically.

But, "there is more to life than living in a box or grid," Stark said. "The nonquantifiable, the affective deeds, are the most important."

Stark said it is things like the more than 2,000 hours of community service the Class of 2008 performed that they should be proud of.

Stark concluded by certifying that the Class of 2008 had completed the necessary requirements and should now be acknowledged as BBHS graduates.

Senior class advisor Charlene Decker then began to call out the graduates' names as Director of Guidance Dr. Christopher Griffin and the entire Board of Education awarded diplomas.

When all 102 graduates received their diplomas, Decker announced, "Congratulations to the Blind Brook Class of 2008," as the graduates threw their caps in the air before beginning the recessional out of the gym.

"It is exciting to be going off to college and experiencing new things," said Weiner. "Yet, after 13 years in this district, it's going to be so hard to leave behind my friends, most of whom I've known since before kindergarten."

For Gottlieb, like Weiner and many of her other classmates, graduation is bittersweet.

"It is exciting to meet new people, and I think I'm ready to move on to something new," Gottlieb said. "There are times when I can't wait to leave and go to college, but there are other times where I don't want to leave Blind Brook because it has become so familiar. I see the same faces every day, and I know everyone in my grade. Not many people can say that about their school."

Originally published in the Rye Brook Westmore News on 7/4/08
http://rb.westmorenews.com/printatf.php?sid=7275&current_edition=2008-07-04

High School Stories: The 2008 Blind Brook High School Graduation Speech

Dr. Valenti, Mr. Stark, Teachers, The Board of Education, Parents, friends, and fellow members of the Blind Brook High School Class of 2008; it is a great pleasure and a special honor for me to be speaking with you today.

Approximately 4,678 days or 12 years, 9 months, and 21 days ago, we began on a journey. And today, we find ourselves not ending our journey, but taking a moment to realize how far we have come since we left our parents’ arms and entered the hallowed halls of Ridge Street Elementary School.

Since we entered a world full of nap time, recess, miniature towns, lockers, bake sales, and the ever-dreaded exam, we have been taught to always do our best and to work hard. And for the most part, whether it’s been because we genuinely enjoyed a topic, were encouraged by a caring teacher, or moved by the words of an author, or, perhaps out of the simple fear of our mothers seeing poor report cards, we have tried to do our best. Well, at least most of us have.

The idea of “doing our best,” however, has evolved over time. In elementary school, doing our best meant perfecting our imperfect handwriting and learning about the hamburger style of essay writing. In middle school, it was surviving a new and unfamiliar place and exploring Outdoor Ed while preparing ourselves for the future, perhaps guided by the words of Jennings Michael Burch who wrote in “They Cage the Animals at Night,”--- “Education is the most important thing you can have . . . If you have that, it’s yours. Nobody can take that away.”

And on the first day of high school, “doing our best” took on more urgent meaning when we were told by Mr. Baxter that, “this time it counts,” meaning that from that first moment on, every test, quiz, paper, or extra-curricular activity was important for not only reaching this very day, but more importantly, developing our minds.

And while the notion of hard work and doing our best has evolved, there has been one concept that has stayed constant, change.

In the race for the White House, We heard it from Hillary. We hear it from Barack. And we hear it from John. They constantly say that they are “Fighting for Change,” “Ready for Change,” and have “Change we can believe in.”

Blind Brook isn’t “Fighting for Change.”

Why, you may ask? Because, we are change. As a group, as a grade, and as a school, we have been educated to make academic curiosity and volunteerism second nature. From Elementary School as a part of the Green Key Society, to the High School Community Service requirement, we are all prepared to not make change, but to be change.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” As we embark into life beyond Blind Brook, there is one fundamental lesson we can take away from this small town. We must never wait for others to accomplish the seemingly impossible; we must blaze the trail of happiness and success for ourselves. John Mayer sings the popular song, “Waiting for the World to Change,” which says that the young people of the world are currently powerless and, unfortunately, must wait their turn to make a difference. While extremely popular, his song is neither accurate nor the message I share with you today. We must be part of the change, not the result, but rather the cause of change.

And as we look towards the future, we can not forget the values and life lessons that the people around us have shared with all of us. Blind Brook hasn’t taught us what to think, but rather how to think. We must be our own advocates for change—using the lessons from home and the opportunities that await us.

Beno

As we try to improve our future, as the good book says, we can’t forget tradition. Like Tevya, in Fiddler on the Roof, says, [Spoken by Andrew Benowich] “Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as, as... as a fiddler on the roof!”

It may be somewhat of an oxymoron, but traditions needn’t be “age old.” As agents of change, we have been a part of new traditions: we were the last kindergarten class under the leadership of Mr. Bruno M. Ponterio, we were the last 6^th grade class at Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School, we were the first to compete on the new fields, some of us were the first to get lost in our own high school, we were the first to experience clubs after school, and members of our class were the first to be inducted into the Journalism Honor Society as writers for a truly independent FOCUS newspaper.

Whether you loved Blind Brook or can’t wait for next year, we are rooted in our school’s unique culture and ideas.

During our four years at Blind Brook, traditions and activities have taught us valuable lessons and given us opportunities and challenges that we would otherwise never have had. Soccer championships, Mock Trial championships, FOCUS awards, High School Theater Awards, and even Spanish Club’s taco eating contests have made Blind Brook great.

Tradition is not palpable, it is not something that we can touch, but yet it is an always present force which can touch us: it touches our hearts, it touches our souls, and it has made and will continue to make Blind Brook the special place we call Home. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home!” Compare all you want, but because of “tradition,” there’s no place like Blind Brook.

404,179,200 seconds or 6,736,320 minutes or 112,272 hours later, which ever way you want to slice the past 13 years, our journey has not concluded. Instead, we write a new chapter and begin a new clock for the future. To the Class of 2008, those 13 years have amazingly been the most stressful, happy, anxious, and joyful times that we will never forget. Don’t worry about the future, but at the same time, don’t forget your roots. Remember all the good times, but don’t forget the bad ones either. You never know when they will come in handy. Enjoy being a youth. Enjoy life. You only live it once. But most importantly, don’t fight change that makes you, your community, and your world better. Instead, take chances and be the change you want to see in the world.

As Dr. Seuss once said, “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” Today is our day. Congratulations to the Class of 2008, it’s been a great 4,678 days.

Originally presented at the Blind Brook High School Graduation for the Class of 2008 in the Blind Brook High School Gym in June 2008.