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Class of 2008 invests 'in a brighter future'
Instead of buying a bench or planting a tree as their class gift, this year's graduating class announced Saturday they would donate money to help fund a counselor for the newly formed Student Assistance Program. The counseling program will identify and help at-risk children and be administered in the elementary, middle and high schools by Nantucket Behavioral Health. "Afflicted by sorrow this past year, the community of Nantucket came together in many ways," said class president Julia Wendelken at Saturday's graduation ceremony in the high school auditorium. "The Student Assistance Program will help overcome difficulties and with our donation, there is the hope of a brighter future for the Nantucket Public Schools."
It was apparent at Saturday's commencement ceremony, the class of 2008 had gone through a crucible, yet emerged stronger. While MacLellan and the other students were not named during the ceremony, every one in the auditorium felt the loss of their friends, classmates and neighbors. "It's a challenge for all of us, this sense of loss," said Robert Pellicone, schools superintendent. "We'll never forget the students who aren't here. They will be forever in our hearts and minds." Returning to the high school stage for the first time in nearly two decades, was former superintendent of Nantucket Public Schools Dr. John O'Neill. While it is impossible for any adult to upstage 96 graduating high school seniors, O'Neill, for whom the high school's gymnasium is named, came very close.
It was also under O'Neill's tenure Nantucket High and Cyrus Peirce schools were built. "It's a great pleasure to be here this afternoon," said O'Neill. "At my age, it's a great pleasure to be any where." Class Valedictorian Martina Ivanova did not speak English when she came to the island from Bulgaria at the age of 12, yet in five years, she mastered the language and all of her other subjects. In her valedictory address, Ivanova urged students to pay back what they have taken from their families and their teachers. "We've been given a fulcrum and a lever to move our lives forward," said Ivanova, who will be attending U-Mass. Amherst this September. "We'll build upon civilization." It wasn't only the 96 graduates who were leaving the school. Eight veteran teachers, including Robert Stetson, Deborah Dooley, Renee Oliver, Karen Maury, Patricia Haley, Ritch and Nancy Larrabee are retiring this June 30. The retirees and director of guidance, Susan McFarland, each took turns handing out a total of $750,000 in scholarship money to 41 students. Principal George Kelly, who led the school community during the year of student deaths, stepped down from his role as building administrator to accept a new position as director of student services in the high school. Kelly was greeted with a standing ovation from both the graduates and the audience of 700 as well as enthusiastic cheers. Salutatorian Anita Elahi and Molly Mac Kay provided a lighthearted look at the Class of 2008. Elahi and Mac Kay described a scenario where they both were stood up at the White Elephant by their classmates at their 10th year reunion. "After chatting for two hours, reflecting on our past, the familiar feeling of rejection washed over us," said Elahi. The two girls took the audience on a mental road trip through Nantucket, where one classmate, Shanroy Nelson, was a stressed out helicopter pilot, another classmate, Marli Thompson was Miss USA and yet another, Missy Holden was a party planner extraordinaire. All of the 96 members of the Class of 2008 were mentioned in the history and prophecy. i |
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