Hopewell Class of 2007 graduates

The celebrations begin

By: John Tredrea
   Resplendently fine June weather was the backdrop for the June 20 commencement exercises at Hopewell Valley Central High School. Before hundreds of relatives, friends and well-wishers seated on the lush green field hockey grid behind the high school, the 287 graduating members of the Class of 2007 accepted their diplomas.
   Student speakers focused on the talent and generosity of their fellow graduates.
   "In high school, we experienced the good and the bad," student speaker Jamie Lynn Bartolino said. "We served ourselves, and more important, we served others. In addition to all the wonderful things we have tried in high school, a great number of us have experienced the goodness of giving. Nothing makes me prouder than to see my classmates displaying selflessness.
   "We have done incredible things. We have traveled the world and assisted in surgeries. We have spent weeks working with children at camps and churches. We have visited nursing homes. But we have also done smaller deeds, some that may have gone unnoticed.
   "Did you help your lab partner study for a test? Did you give your neighbor a ride to school each morning? Did you befriend a timid freshman? In doing so, you have made a difference to another person. All of these things, be they certified hours of service or undocumented honest deeds, are the acts of leaders."
   Friendship and helping others were dominant themes of this year’s commencement.
   Two of the three songs performed by students were by Lennon-McCartney, and both those songs – "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "In My Life" – dwell on the importance of generosity and the appreciation of generosity.
   Student speaker Warren Gerstacker also expressed admiration for his peers.
   "I wish I was older and wiser so that I would be able to give you some sage advice," he said. "As it is, though, I am only another graduate. I’m not an old man who has seen it all. Eighteen is old enough to know, however, that there are certain truths which we can forget at times. Between the fear of the unknown and the quest for status and image which overtakes so many of us at one point or another, it is easy to forget these things."
   He note that "every graduate here today has, in some way, a fantastic quality to them. There are some here who already, at 18 years old, are ethical businesspeople well on the way to being millionaires by the time they’re 30. There are some brilliant scientists among us, who I suspect will be part of the team that will one day cure AIDS or cancer. I have seen art and read writing created by some of us whose work will be admired by many in a few years. That isn’t all, though. There are musicians, engineers, mechanics, computer technicians, ecologists and more that I am sure I have missed. There is not one of us here that lacks a passion, and as such, everybody here has something to offer the world."
   Valedictorian Sarah Lindsay Sickels spoke about the things she had learned.
   "During my four years at this school, I learned far more than a GPA or transcript may suggest," she said. "Many of these lessons, which were crucial to past successes, also hold great promise in helping us towards our future goals and aspirations.
   "The sheer magnitude of talents and skills possessed by our class as a whole is truly remarkable. Many of our classmates are very gifted in music, athletics, math, engineering, science, history, and the arts. Numerous others have notable talents in the trades which are a critical factor of a vibrant society. Many have also shown their astuteness at helping others through their dedication to community service and good works.
   "It is exciting to think of the impact our class may have on our world, for what would we be if we did not try to make the world better?"
   Superintendent Judith Ferguson agreed that the Class of 2007, 92.7 percent of which is going on to four- or two-year colleges, has what it takes, in terms of both compassion and talent, to make a real impact.
   "I have faith that the generation of which this class is comprised really can set the world right," Dr. Ferguson said. "Keep in mind that technology is the means and setting the world right is the end."