PORT BYRON - Everyone who sat on the stage waiting to hear their name had to work hard and overcome obstacles to make it to the Port Byron Central School graduation ceremony on Sunday.

Phil Simkin called his foster daughter's graduation day “a big triumph.” In the two years Joanne Langendorf has lived with him, he's seen her grow more confident and mature. Both Simkin and Langendorf's uncle, Jim Gans, spent Sunday's ceremony in the overflow section going back and forth from watching it on a television or standing in the school's packed auditorium.

While everyone had personal hardships, the 82 students who make up the class of 2007 had to struggle collectively with the loss of one of their classmates.

Lucretia “Lulu” Denman couldn't cross the stage but was remembered during the ceremony.

Graduates wore blue or pink rubber bracelets reading “Always in my heart, Lulu” in honor of Denman, who died in a December 2004 car accident.

A 15-minute slide show presentation included childhood photos of graduates next to their senior photos, as well as snapshots from student trips, classes or fun moments together.

While there were hardships, some students overcame a less dramatic obstacle to reach the day that starts a new chapter in young adults' lives.

Kaitlin Foster admitted that she suffered from “senioritis,” and its main symptom, procrastination, in her New Vision Medical Professions, a BOCES program that placed her in the medical field.

“I got senioritis very bad at the end, but I got everything done that I needed to do,” she said.

And it showed.

Foster gave the valedictory speech, which she had practiced “no problem” in front of a teacher, but was a little nervous about delivering it to the more than 250 parents, siblings, extended family and friends in attendance.

The graduates, the females donning white robes and the males in maroon, walked down the aisles of the auditorium and were met with a sea of camera flashes and waving family members.

“I'm going to miss everyone. I want to stay in contact with people,” said Foster, who plans on attending SUNY Oneonta.

Salutatorian Emily VanNorstrand will go on to study nursing at LeMoyne College.

“I'm glad it's over, but I don't know what I'll do without it,” she said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net