06/24/2006
Coventry Oakers Class of 2006: Into the great, wide open
By NICOLE WIETRAK

KINGSTON - Family and friends of the soon-to-be Coventry High School graduates gathered in the Ryan Center auditorium at the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus last Thursday to celebrate the class of 2006, wishing them good fortune and many deserving successes to come.

As the crowd inside swelled, the students lined the lower halls, talking amongst themselves and preparing to make the procession they have eagerly awaited for four years.

Amidst the sea of 391 smiling faces dressed in the CHS colors of red and white gowns, some students took the liberty of decorating their caps with handmade messages like, "We did it!" and "Hi Mom," while others jazzed theirs up with feathers and streamers.

CHS senior Nina Sheets treated the audience to a performance of the National Anthem, following a "Tribute to Missing Comrades" by the CHS Air Force Junior ROTC cadets while Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" played in the background.

Immediately following, Supt. of Schools Kenneth R. DiPietro welcomed parents, friends, graduates, school committee members and faculty to the high school's 72nd commencement exercises.

Taking a humorous turn from the traditional graduation day speech, DiPietro challenged students to a mock game of "Deal or No Deal"; the message behind the fun being that wealth, knowledge and achievement were all within their grasp so long as they had a strong educational background.

"You should be very proud to be a graduate of Coventry High School," said DiPietro. "You certainly made the very best deal."

School Committee Chairperson Nancy E. Sprengelmeyer (D-Dist. 3) congratulated the students and read a passage from philosopher Max Ehrmann's, "The Desiderata," which advises, "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy."

Following the words of wisdom, Town Councilman Gregory Laboissonniere (R-Dist. 2) read a proclamation signed by Council President Thaddeus Jendzejec (D-Dist. 5), naming June 15 "Coventry High School Senior Day," and congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

Before introducing Jenny Lau, the class salutatorian, Class President Cassandra Cordeiro offered her classmates these final words, "After four years of struggle and success, we have succeeded. After months of senioritis, we are beginning a new chapter in our lives."

Lau, who will start her new chapter at Tufts University in the fall, took to the podium and shared with her peers her own words of advice.

"As many of you head off to college, the military, a full-time job, or whatever path you choose, I hope that each person here will retain the memories and the lessons gathered at Coventry High," said Lau.

She urged her fellow graduates to "continue to strive and make a positive difference in someone's life, and, together, we can make a world of difference."

In closing her salutatory address, Lau told the audience a story of a man walking upon a beach who came across a young girl attempting to save thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore during a storm.

The man, Lau said, told the young girl that her efforts were useless and that, while she may be able to save a few, most of the starfish would certainly die. Yet the girl continued to return the creatures to the ocean, hoping to make a difference for just one.

"We should live life with the intention and purpose to make a difference," she said in closing. "Each of us can make a difference and together those difference are indeed meaningful."

The CHS Select Chorus, lead by Choral Director Brad DeGraide, performed "A Lonesome Road," as valedictorian Mary Barden prepared to address her classmates for the last time.

"Tonight the responsibility for our futures shifts to us alone," said Barden speaking of how believing in oneself and having the confidence to follow one's dreams is a personal battle everyone must face.

Quoting a passage from Dr. Seuss' Oh, The Places You Will Go, Barden read, "You have brains in your heads. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the one who'll decide where to go."

While relenting that "success is certainly more enjoyable than failure," Barden emphasized that both experiences were important factors in determining one's destiny.

Barden, who will soon be pursuing her own dreams at Providence College as a Biochemical major, challenged the graduates to choose their own new and unique paths, to go forth "confidently and with self-assurance," and finally wished them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.

Before receiving their diplomas and meandering out into the world, the new graduates listened to the words of their principal, Steven Knowlton, as he said goodbye to his students with a heavy heart and congratulated them on a "job well done."

"Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of your life - a life that will be filled with obstacles and challenges and opportunities," said Knowlton, but reassured them that they would be leaving CHS "armed with a quality education" that would see them through even the toughest of trials.

The principal emphasized that the graduates had developed the knowledge, skills, character and global awareness needed to become productive and responsible citizens.

"As you chase your dreams, whatever they might be - power, wealth, success - remember to live, and love, and laugh along the way," said an emotional Knowlton. "I wish you all a long life of health and happiness."