Carrying carnations and clad in maroon caps and gowns, the 2009 North Haven High School senior class marched to the Vanacore football field on June 23 for their graduation.

The graduates strode confidently in beat as the high school band performed “Pomp and Circumstance.” The procession was the seniors’ final act as members of the town’s public school system, a march many years in the making.

“This journey began 13 years ago in kindergarten,” said graduation speaker and Board of Education member Stephen DiCapua to the 323 graduating students and a crowd of approximately 1,000. “Today, it ends in front of your family and friends.”

“Tomorrow, you think about college or starting a career,” added DiCapua, who later had the opportunity to personally deliver a diploma to his graduating son Stephen. “Today, you celebrate.”

The audience packed the bleachers and extra rows of chairs set up to midfield. Parents jockeyed for position for a chance to snap photographs, impeded by restraining ropes that blocked off the graduation staging area. The inclement weather held off just long enough for the seniors to snag their diplomas under the sun, but not before several speakers offered bon voyage luck, praise, and advice.

“Frank Lloyd Wright said, ‘I know the price of success - dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen,’” said Superintendent Sara-Jane Querfeld, quoting the 20th century architect. “I believe this explains the class of 2009.”

Querfeld complimented the 2009 class’ accomplishments, which included pre-college studies at Yale University, two invites to Ivy-league schools, musical and artistic awards, and multiple conference and state championships in athletics. Querfeld also noted the seniors’ community service.

“The class volunteered hundreds of hours in the community,” she said. “They are exemplary role models for the young children.”

In closing, Querfeld quoted 19th century essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Do not go where the path may lead,” she said, “go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

The graduating class’ high school tenure coincided with the first four years of the new secondary education building, a fact not lost upon class president Davon Darden. “It was our class that opened the beautiful new building as freshman,” he said, “and it has served us well.”

When his class entered the new high school in 2005, Darden and his peers came under a new scholastic maxim. “It is the mission of NHHS, in collaboration with parents and the community, to help students become responsible, educated, and productive citizens who can thrive in this ever-changing world,” Darden said, adding “I come back to this question for my classmates – have we succeeded with the mission of our school? I say yes.”

As the wind bounced his tassel against his face, Darden thanked his class and bid them well. “I wish my fellow graduates great luck in all your future endeavors, and I encourage you to apply your mission of continued learning toward success in your life-long goals,” he said.

“You leave NHHS with a sound education,” said Assistant Superintendent Patricia Brozek. “Be forever grateful for your parents and the community, for this school and the opportunities it afforded.”

Class valedictorian Fiona Wood pointed out that the 2009 national graduating class was the largest ever, with 3.2 million high school seniors. The plentiful number, she said, afforded the class a great opportunity to improve their world. “In the next few years, as we figure out what we want to do with our lives, keep in mind that there are many great problems to solve all over the world,” she said. “We must work together to leave the world a better place than it was when we arrived.”

After senior members of the select and concert choirs performed an a capella rendition of The Beatles’ “In My Life,” class salutatorian Stephanie Grilo addressed the crowd. The graduating seniors had the chance to speak at the occasion by submitting speeches, and Grilo’s was chosen to be read.

“The diplomas that were handed to us today are our tickets,” she said. “They open doors for us, but it is our job to step through those doors. Our job is not over here. It begins here.”

“I hope that we keep one thing in common,” Grilo continued, “that we use the opportunity that has been given to us to help others.”

Grilo also advised her classmates to seek physical achievements in the digital era. “In an age dominated by reality TV shows and Facebook, I hope that we as a class can make a promise to build real relationships and form real connections,” she said.

And with that, it was time to disperse the diplomas. One at a time, the graduating class ascended the graduation stage to pose for photos with principal Russell Dallai, and 2009 class advisers Catherine Rosano and Christian Johnson, and receive the piece of paper that represented over a decade of hard work in the North Haven school system. Although Dallai requested silence until the end of the procession, overexcited parents, relatives, and friends let loose intermittent air horn blasts and shouts of exultation.

Finally, after Dallai and his helpers worked their way from Anthony Abate to Hector Zamora, the principal had the privilege of seeing off the class of 2009.

“It’s bittersweet to see you go,” he said, and then announced the seniors as official graduates of North Haven High School. The new alumni chucked flowers skywards and exchanged tearful embraces, their first acts in the next chapter of their lives.

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