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Moving in the direction of their dreams
When addressing his fellow graduates, senior class President Thomas Baber, who will attend Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., noted how hard it is to believe that four years came and went since they first entered Allentown High School as nervous freshmen, baffled by the whereabouts of fifth hall and eager to learn the ins and outs of high school life. "Although we did not know it at the time, our class would go on to achieve great things for our school and help spread word of 'the other Allentown,' the one that was not mentioned in the Billy Joel song," he said.
He commended the Student Council for being ranked second in the state for the past several years for its donations to charities and spoke about students who made contributions in various other ways. "Those musically inclined attended the New Year's Day Parade in London, England, with the Redbird Marching Band in 2006, and represented the small town of Allentown across the large pond," he said. "The choir made several trips along the East Coast, receiving accolades wherever they traveled. The many budding artists of our class have been recognized at art shows all over New Jersey. And the FFA chapter receives top honors at the national convention every year and is ranked first in the state."
"Looking back, it was eight years ago when Allentown left the Shore Conference and entered the Colonial Valley Conference," Nagy said. "Today, I stand before you proud of the fact that after eight years, all of our spring athletic teams have won either their division, conference, entered state competition or won the state championship, namely baseball, a season to remember."
He also spoke about the late journalist Tim Russert, who once gave a speech to Columbus School of Law graduates, challenging them to always give back to the community and the world. "His words ring true this evening and capture the dynamics of our worth and the value we place on the human condition and friends," Nagy said. "He said, 'Whatever your ideology, reach down and see if there isn't someone you can't pull up a rung or two - someone old, someone sick, someone lonely, someone uneducated, someone defenseless. Give them a hand. Give them a chance. Give them a start. Give them protection. Give them dignity.'" In her speech, Salutatorian Kristen Hum thanked parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and the teachers and staff of Allentown High School on behalf of her class. "Thank you for helping us even when we didn't show our appreciation, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to be here today," she said. "Our success is your success. You have cared for us and supported us, and we would not be here without you." Hum called high school a tough but rewarding journey. "We've accomplished things we never thought were possible, made friendships that will last a lifetime, broken boundaries, and pushed ourselves to the limit," she said. "We have gone through some pretty rough times over the past four years, but we have all come together to support each other." She asked her classmates to seize every opportunity that life gives them. "As Abraham Lincoln once said, 'And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years,' and this is completely true," she said, adding that they should strive to make every moment worth living, live with no regrets and just do what makes them happy. Valedictorian Alana Heifetz said that when her class first entered the halls of Allentown, it only cared about being able to wear flip-flops and chew gum in class. "Now, as our time here comes to a close, we recognize how much we have truly grown," she said. "Over the years we have come to realize that there is a whole world outside our protective Allentown bubble. We have been transformed from naive freshmen to mature young adults heading out to begin our futures." Heifetz quoted Henry David Thoreau and said, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." "Each of us has a unique vision for our futures and the lives we would like to lead," she said. "There will be struggles and successes, surprises and setbacks, smiles and sobs, but through it all we must hold on to our ambitions." She encouraged her classmates not to wait to act on their dreams. "The future is unpredictable and there is no better time to begin than the present," she said. She advised the graduates against not being afraid to take risks, even in the face of failure. "Challenge yourself to do things you never expected you could do," she said. Heifetz also asked her fellow students to be people that they respect. "All the achievements in the world mean nothing if you are not proud of the person you have become," she said. Senior class Treasurer Jessica Abramo and Secretary Niki Gupta presented the high school with the class gift, two adjustable spotlights for the auditorium stage. "These lights will benefit many students and parents for years to come," Gupta said. Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick said, "Today and every day, the choice is up to you." He continued, "Since your first day at Allentown you walked through these halls with confidence and energy, determined to leave your mark on Allentown High School. You lived your life this way, every day in every way. Now you are stepping out into the world as an independent thinker with the freedom to make your next greatest move." Fitzpatrick said his dream is that all graduates will always seek to achieve their personal best. Other highlights of the ceremony included Student Council President Kristina Langione, who will attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and senior choir members, under the direction of choir director Mark Megill, singing the national anthem. |
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