by Patrick Harrington
I could just as easily stand up here today and tell you how you’ve come so far, still have so far to go and how you should be proud of your accomplishments. And there’s no reason you shouldn’t be proud, but when I look back not just four years, but nine years when the students from Stephentown and Grafton Elementary first came to Berlin, and twelve years for some of us, I can’t help but think of how much of an influence we’ve had on each other. Including pre-k, that’s 13 years
of our lives. That alone shows just how much a part of each other we’ve become. That’s 13 years of our lives spent with the same group of kids, and, honestly, I can’t think of people who I would rather have spent that time with. I’ve had some great times with you guys, inside of school and out.
Even though I know that most of you can’t wait to get out of the area and out on your own, I hope you can look back on your time at Berlin and remember at least one good thing. Something that you’ve done or someone you will miss, as long as you have something good to remember Berlin by.
I am sorry to see this come to an end. Some of us are going off to college, some are going straight to work, some are going into the military. I hate to say it, but a lot of us are going to end up drifting apart as we go our separate ways. I just hope you’re lucky enough to have a close group of friends that you will be able to stay in touch with, regardless of how far apart you are. To my own personal group of friends, I just have one thing to say.
After 13 years, today is finally your day. You should be proud of yourselves. You’ve worked hard and earned the right to be on this stage today. While today is your day, don’t forget that your parents have always been there to support you and encourage you, and they have had to put up with you all along the way. I know how proud my parents are of me, and I’m certain that your parents feel the same way towards you. If you haven’t already, you should make sure to thank them for all they’ve done for you and for being there for you.
Your parents aren’t the only ones who are proud of you, as I’m certain that many of your teachers are proud to see you up here today. Over the years, you’ve written down the notes, done the homework, taken the tests, and maybe you’ve been able to take something from it all. I just hope that you realize how much an impact your teachers had on your life. Mr. Mellor, you’ve probably been a friend to us just as much as you’ve been a teacher. I can’t even look at a math problem, or a Frisbee for that matter, without thinking about Mr. Cornell. Mrs. Beisler and Ms. Day, you’ve been the greatest class advisors we could ask for, and you made this an unforgettable senior year. I want you to know how much we appreciate all that you have done for us and just how much you mean to us.
So, to the parents, teachers, friends, families, anyone I might have forgotten, and anyone else who feels they have had an impact on these students’ lives, on behalf of the Berlin Graduating Class of 2009, thank you.