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Congratulations, JJHS Class of 2014!

On the 24th of June, John Jay High School held its 58th Commencement ceremony on the beautiful grounds of Caramoor. As “Pomp and Circumstance” filled the large white tent and spilled into the adjacent fields, pairs of graduating students paraded down the aisle and onto the stage. Proud family members cheered as students took their seats.

 

James Pardo, Campus Congress Officer, led the salute to the flag, which was followed by the National Anthem, sung by the talented Rolling Tones and Notables. The commencement was officially underway.

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Michael Jumper, Acting Superintendent, welcomed all and offered both humorous and inspirational words. He stressed the importance of perseverance and encouraged students to push through challenging situations. “Yes, high school has offered up challenges that have provided you with an inkling of what it means to persevere,” he stated. “But it has only just begun. College, work, family and many other life transitions will begin to layer themselves upon you to the point where you will recognize how critical it is, to your core, to stay the course. So persevere. Be resilient. Relentless. Above all, don’t quit.” Before offering thanks and congratulations, he closed with an excerpt from the infamous poem, “Don’t Quit.” 

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Charles Day, representing the Board of Education, was next to speak. He stated, “Your job is to make lifetime friends and contacts, acquire a broad base of knowledge, find your passion and see where it leads you and to thine own self be true.”

 

Carly Kilgore and Rachel Yasgur, Co-Presidents of the class of 2014, addressed their peers. Before passing down the official key to representatives of the class of 2015, they offered words of thanks and encouragement. “John Jay has shaped us into the people we are today. It offered us stability and laid the building blocks for what lay ahead.” With the words, “Time flies by,” Carly and Rachel presented the key to Karen Beaty and Emma Jansen, Co-Presidents of the class of 2015. While accepting the key, Karen and Emma responded to the graduating class, “We couldn’t have asked for better role models.”

 

Salutatorian Jeremy Morowitz, was next at the podium. “Every person has something to offer in one form or another,” he stated. “We all bring something to the table, and it might not be obvious, or even easy to see when looking closely, but we all contribute in unique ways by simply being ourselves as individuals. But in order for this to work we need to establish our individuality first.” The Noteables then returned with a wonderful rendition of “Never Stop This Train,” by John Mayer.

 

Seth Feder, Valedictorian, spoke to those assembled. Very cleverly, he had reached out to other infamous past valedictorians for inspiration. He shared that the title “valedictorian” stems from the Latin words “vale,” meaning “farewell” and “dict” meaning “say.” Thus, he surmised, “all valedictorians must say farewell.” Seth continued, “The future is random, and we don't know what's going to happen. Sometimes the best course of action is just to surrender to the flow, dealing with events both probable and improbable as they happen. I learned that both the probable and improbable can lead to unsettling changes, but also amazing and joyous ones as well. I learned that we should fear the future, but fear it optimistically.”

 

The Rolling Tones proceeded to entertain the admiring crowd with “God Only Knows,” by the Beach Boys, followed by the Keynote Address, delivered by Social Studies Teacher Marc McAlley. Mr. McAlley advised the class to “Find out who you really are, be comfortable with who you are, and be who you are every day of your life.” He shared memorable advice he once heard, which was, “Stay out of trouble, look people in the eye, say please and thank you, live every day as if it were the only day, don’t forget where you came from, and never be afraid of being who you are.”

 

James Pardo offered the senior class address. He spoke about his physics teacher, David Gewanter, who expressed to the class the importance of “love.” “Love leads to true happiness and satisfaction,” explained James, “I beseech you to leave with the love of passions, peers, colleagues, home and family. Love what challenges you to be something you never were before.” The Treblemakers rounded out the evening with Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.”

 

Principal John Goetz commended the class and offered words of advice. “Assert your independence in a positive way…(You have a) collective group of supporters and advocates. Try to be happy. The future needs happy people with balance in their lives. Be kind and supportive to others. Let them know you care. I wish you health and happiness.” Mr. Goetz and Mr. Day presented the diplomas to the John Jay High School graduating class of 2014.

 

 

 

 


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