WEEDSPORT - As the Rev. Mark Keffer pointed out at the beginning of commencement ceremonies for Weedsport's class of 2006, graduation is a day that marks both a beginning and the end; both momentous occasions in a single life.
“You are ending one track,” Keffer said. “But you are beginning and welcoming the start of an entirely new one.”
While this day has been years in the making, it is a day whose weight can not be fully appreciated until it comes.
“It still hasn't hit me really,” Jessica James said. “I'm excited, though. It is the kind of day that as it gets closer you get more and more excited about it and you just have to keep working hard and know that one day you are going to get there, but you have to keep working for it.”
Graduation is often a time to look back, not only to see the road that led to this day, but see all the people and moments that made it an adventure along the way.
For the 67 students of Weedsport, it has been a long road to get to graduation day, a road that many of them have traversed together since they first began their school days.
“It has been an exciting 13 years that we have gone to school together,” class salutatorian Brian McCafferty said. “And now we are finally moving on to the real world.”
Through those years together, not only did the class forge many close ties, but also its own unique character.
“We were an active class,” valedictorian and class president Edward Rooker said. “Everyone was very involved in sports or academically. We were a really well-rounded class. When I look back I will remember that we were a small school and that we were close, and I will remember that closeness and all those friendships that I experienced.”
While it can be a time of nostalgia and looking back on fond memories, commencement is also a time to take the first steps into the next phase of life.
Weedsport's class of 2006 has its share of college-bound students and those ready to enter the workforce, but no matter what path they take, they are anxious to get started on the next phase of their journey.
“I've already joined the Marines,” Joshua Dickenson said. “I can't wait to go to boot camp and get started. It is going to be hard work, and you can't quit, and I'm excited to get started.”
Whatever path they may pursue, McCafferty hopes that each and every one of them will take a piece of advice with them.
“We are a new, young generation,” MaCafferty said. “We have a chance to make a difference. As you go keep an open mind and an open heart, don't let prejudices and stereotypes get in your way. Essentially we should not only be ourselves, but also true to ourselves.”
Students all said they will remember their time at Weedsport.
“We have all been eager and can't wait to get out,” Rooker said. “But when we look back there will be things that we all cherish and there will always be a part of all of us in these walls.”
While this day has been years in the making, it is a day whose weight can not be fully appreciated until it comes.
“It still hasn't hit me really,” Jessica James said. “I'm excited, though. It is the kind of day that as it gets closer you get more and more excited about it and you just have to keep working hard and know that one day you are going to get there, but you have to keep working for it.”
Graduation is often a time to look back, not only to see the road that led to this day, but see all the people and moments that made it an adventure along the way.
For the 67 students of Weedsport, it has been a long road to get to graduation day, a road that many of them have traversed together since they first began their school days.
“It has been an exciting 13 years that we have gone to school together,” class salutatorian Brian McCafferty said. “And now we are finally moving on to the real world.”
Through those years together, not only did the class forge many close ties, but also its own unique character.
“We were an active class,” valedictorian and class president Edward Rooker said. “Everyone was very involved in sports or academically. We were a really well-rounded class. When I look back I will remember that we were a small school and that we were close, and I will remember that closeness and all those friendships that I experienced.”
While it can be a time of nostalgia and looking back on fond memories, commencement is also a time to take the first steps into the next phase of life.
Weedsport's class of 2006 has its share of college-bound students and those ready to enter the workforce, but no matter what path they take, they are anxious to get started on the next phase of their journey.
“I've already joined the Marines,” Joshua Dickenson said. “I can't wait to go to boot camp and get started. It is going to be hard work, and you can't quit, and I'm excited to get started.”
Whatever path they may pursue, McCafferty hopes that each and every one of them will take a piece of advice with them.
“We are a new, young generation,” MaCafferty said. “We have a chance to make a difference. As you go keep an open mind and an open heart, don't let prejudices and stereotypes get in your way. Essentially we should not only be ourselves, but also true to ourselves.”
Students all said they will remember their time at Weedsport.
“We have all been eager and can't wait to get out,” Rooker said. “But when we look back there will be things that we all cherish and there will always be a part of all of us in these walls.”
