Greeley Graduates Give Thanks, Share Memories

Almost 300 students from the Class of 2011 at gathered on campus Sunday to celebrate graduation as a major milestone in their lives. But they also took the opportunity to talk about what made their high school years special, including their friends and memories.

“Nobody else knows how much the Chappaqua school district and my peers have meant to me, said Salutatorian Molly Pickel, who spoke of how she tried to come of with ideas for her speech.

Valedictorian Matt Townsend spoke of recent memories from his senior year, and of his classmates who were there to offer him help for things.

“The more I contemplated these defining snapshot moments for our class, the more I realize that so much of my high school experience is founded upon the people with whom I’ve been lucky to share the past four years.”

Townsend also spoke about how work enjoyed no longer feels like work, noting his interest in basketball.

Becoming a student at Greeley itself came with its own transitions.

Class President GaeMin Lee spoke of arriving to the United States as a boy from Korea nearly five years ago, his adjustments early in high school and how things got better by his junior year. Describing his friendships and interactions with his peers, Lee spoke fondly about memories that included the assassins water gun game - there were many mentions of it among student speakers - and how he treated fellow students to juice and cookies late at night when they were playing it.

Student Council President Hikari Senju regaled the audience with a ukulele to pay tribute to the school, and spoke about the importance of having friends.

Administrators had warm words for their departing students.

“Look to your left, look to your right," said Interim Superintendent John Chambers. "Think about the people who have come through all these years with you.”

Greeley Principal Andrew Selesnick praised the students for their interest and effort . He also noted this year's class pranks, which included the emergence of a "pool" at the school's I Building, and called them ingenious and doing no harm.

“We see accomplished, young adults ready to launch into their next life experience," said School Board President Janet Benton.

Benton also noted how far they have come.

“But graduates, at the very same time, we see the little kids you used to be. Five-year-olds boarding the kintergarten bus, way back in 1998, leaving your nervous, camera-snapping parents behind.”

The procession of speeches was followed by a procession of students, who lined up to collect their diplomas and shake hands with district officials.

Once they were finished, Assistant Principal (and Class Principal) Michael Taylor shouted, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Horace Greeley’s Class of 2011. Congratulations graduates!”

And with that, a cascade of cheers and applause erupted, as students tossed their mortarboards into the air.

Video of the graduation is attached.