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Schools

Whitman Salutes 451 Graduates at Ceremony

The seniors received their diplomas in the school's gymnasium and heard speeches from peers and administrators at the ceremony.

245 boys and 206 girls received diplomas from at the school's commencement ceremony on Friday night, where their graduation from high school was celebrated by their family, friends and teachers.

A move into the gym due to fears of inclement weather did not deter the moods of the 451 graduates, who listened to speeches from three of their peers, came on stage to collect their diplomas, and ended the evening by tossing their hats in the air nearly a dozen times.

"All of your life, you have been working hard each academic year, listening to your family and teachers telling you that if you study hard, all of your hard work will pay off one day," principal Kathleen Acker told her first graduating class. "That day is finally here."

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The day's speakers offered numerous pieces of advice to the graduates. School board president challenged the class to stay informed and warned them to thoroughly research all information they find.

“It is becoming ever more difficult, due to the sheer volume of information, to separate fact from opinion," he said. "If you are using the information to make important decisions, it can be downright dangerous. It is worth the time it takes to evaluate information from multiple sources for issues of importance to you.”

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The school’s valedictorian, Lily Michelson, told the graduates not to fear change. “It is an inevitable part of life, and it will ultimately allow us all to self-actualize,” she said. “I know this is easier said than done. While we work on shutting this natural fear, let us not try to resist it. Resisting change halts progress.”

She also told them to live with conviction. "Seize the opportunities you have earned from graduating from Walt Whitman High School," she said. "Do not allow doubt to discourage or even paralyze you from achieving a passionate future of your own accord."

Salutatorian Rubab Rehman warned the students not to let difficult times destroy their dreams. "A bad decision, a poor test score or a job rejection are only small steps back," she said. "Because of your education, you will find openings, as opportunities are always available to those who look for them."

Class president Fuschia Rae told the graduating class that the most important question they'll ask of themselves will be about whom they want to be and how they want to get there. "It's at these times that we get these most influential guide from the values we hold near to us," she said, "the qualities that we find important and necessary for a fulfilling life."

Dr. Thomas Shea. the district's superintendent, was the last to speak, and he lauded the class's overwhelming participation in charitable efforts, which included work with the Red Cross, Relay For Life and for tsumani victims in Japan.

“I’m convinced that you, the members of the class of 2011, can teach all of us a little something about others,” he said. “Because you already have.”

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