PRICETON: Steve Carell addresses class of 2012

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   Despite pouring rain Monday morning, throngs of Princeton University graduates gathered on Cannon Green for their Class Day ceremonies, where a local teen was made an honorary class member and actor Steve Carell addressed the students.
   Derek DiGregorio, 14, of Princeton, received the loud cheers as he was inducted as an honorary member of the class.
   ”Derek has touched the hearts of many throughout the Princeton community and the Class of 2012,” said John Monagle, class treasurer, as he introduced the boy during the ceremony. “He’s had a deep impact on many of our classmates Princeton experiences.”
   Derek, an eighth grader at John Witherspoon Middle School, was born 14 years ago with a disease called ataxia telagiectasia (A-T) that will eventually rob him of movement, compromise his immune system and may cause cancer.
   He and his family only received the correct diagnosis a little more than a year ago. Since then some family friends created Derek’s Dream, a group dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and resources to help the family.
   ”Derek has worked to raise awareness of A-T and to support families who are also facing the disease,” said Mr. Monagle, who noted to loud cheers, that the boy is a five-time world champion in tae kwon do and a gold medalist in bowling at the New Jersey Special Olympics. “Derek’s story is one of courage, passion and determination. He lives the values Princetonians hope to embody and I’m honored to present Derek as an honorary class member of the Class of 2012.”
   According to Derek, the honor was “awesome,” and he plans to wear his class jacket to school on June 5.
   ”It felt really, really good and it was very special to be a part of something like that,” said Derek after returning home from the ceremony and lunch party on campus.
   Derek’s father, Steve DiGregorio, is a former Princeton University football coach from 1987 to 1999 who left the team to spend more time with his son.
   ”I don’t have words; this is so overwhelming for all of us,” said Mr. DiGregorio. “We got word two and a half, three weeks ago that this was going on, and we are so overwhelmed. My wife and I are very grateful for all of this and very grateful to the senior class for doing this for Derek and making it such a special day for our family.”
   His son, who uses a wheelchair most of the time, walked to the stage with the aid of Princeton University senior Manny Sardinha, who was a university soccer player and molecular biology major who did his senior thesis on A-T, to collect his jacket and plaque.
   Both of Derek’s school principals, Bill Cirullo of Riverside Elementary School and Jason Burr of John Witherspoon Middle School, were in the audience, invited by Derek.
   Mr. Carell was very gracious to the family, taking pictures with them before the ceremony and afterward on Nassau Street, said Mr. DiGregorio.
   After the induction of the honorary class members, Mr. Carell, a graduate of Ohio-based Denison University, pontificated about how communication has evolved through the years.
   ”When I was in college I would not text a girl to ask her out on a date, I would ask her in person, one human to another,” he said. “When she said no, which she always did, I would suffer the humiliation and self loathing a young man needs for his or her personal growth.”
   Texting is “a warm blanket that insulates us from the truth,” he said, noting he used encyclopedias when he was in college, not Google.
   ”Every once in a while, put something positive into the world. We’ve become so cynical,” advised Mr. Carell before he was presented with his class jacket. “So do something kind, make somebody laugh and don’t take yourself so seriously.”
   ”The Princeton experience transcends time, constituting more than the four fleeting years we have spent here,” said Lindy Li, class president, as air cannons fired orange and black confetti into the throngs of students, parents and university faculty at the beginning of the ceremony. “Those who think they can win, do.”
   Class Day takes place the day before the commencement ceremony and is organized by members of the senior class. In addition to the address by Mr. Carell, the ceremony included remarks by class members, the induction of honorary class members and the recognition of class members for their contributions.
   Class Day co-chair Erin Kiernan said that Mr. Carell was the “clear first choice” as a guest speaker for the senior class. “His work has defined our college years, shaped our class’ sense of humor, and carries universal appeal,” said Ms. Kiernan.
   Leaders of the senior class selected Mr. Carell — known for his portrayal of Michael Scott in the NBC comedy “The Office” and starring roles in such movies as “The 40-Year-old Virgin,” “Dan in Real Life,” “Date Night,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “Despicable Me” (as the voice of Gru) — from numerous nominees suggested by their classmates.