Amid the pomp and circumstance of the 54th annual commencement at Herricks High School last Thursday, Superintendent of Schools John Bierwirth had one final lesson for the Class of 2013.
“In August Herricks will turn 200 years old. 1813. It was at that point an open question as to whether or not the United States would survive as a country… and yet at that time the people in this community thought it was important enough to establish a public school district,” Bierwirth said.
“You have been given one of the best educations you can find at any high school, public or private, in the United States,” Bierwirth told the 324 member of the Herricks class of 2013, urging them to take full advantage of what they have been given.
Class salutatorian Benjamin Pleat echoed Bierwirth’s sentiments, urged his fellow student to focus on “passion, persistence and character.”
Pleat told the story of his great uncle Grecia who fought in Russia during World War II.
During his travels, Grecia gave away his extra pair of boots in the harsh Russian winter to a man who had no boots and would surely get frostbite in a matter of days. Years later this man tracked Grecia down and thanked him for his generosity.
“Provide for someone who needs an extra boost, your push may seem miniscule but let me tell you, it makes an astronomical difference,” Pleat said.
Lee Ann Serrano, who delivered an address on behalf of the student government, and valedictorian Meenakshi Krishna, gave speeches around the Class of 2013 motto: “Believe.”
“I have always felt that the defining characteristic of our class is our ability to believe in ourselves,” said Serrano.
She recalled the challenges of preparing for homecoming as freshmen, the boys basketball team making the playoffs for four straight years, and her class winning second place at battle of the classes in each of their three years as underclassmen.
“Growing up in Herricks has taught me it is important to believe in where you come from,” Serano said.
Krishna spoke about the importance of living in the moment and never giving up in the face of adversity. She mentioned the challenges posed by Superstorm Sandy and the difficulties with having three faculty members – Craig Lagnese, Don Barton and Thomas Coleman – die during their time as a class.
“Our motto is ‘Believe’ for a reason,” she said.
Terri Lagnese, mother of Craig Lagnese, who died in November of 2011, delivered a short speech that visibly moved the audience. Lagnese praised the parents and teachers who helped get the students where they are today.
Looking out at the class of 2013, Lagnese said, “This proves that good parenting works.”
Her speech was punctuated with advice, including her concluding remarks, when she said, “Always look ahead more than looking back. Choose hope over self-doubt. If you do this you will have what it takes to succeed.”
The Senior Chamber Choir Singers performed “In My Life” by the Beatles, with an accompaniment on the guitar. They followed that with the Herricks alma mater song.
The final speech was given by social studies chairperson Anthony Cillis. His speech touched on the changes, physically and emotionally, that occur during the four years of high school. He spoke about the adjustments students will have to make after graduation, and some of the adjustments that parents have to make too.
A handful of students delivered the Herricks top 10 during Cillis’ speech, describing why they would want to make him their speaker. The list carried a few barbs, including, “We probably could have come up with someone better if we tried, but senioritis hit us pretty hard.”
Cillis’ response was, “One thing I’ve learned at Herricks is you have to appreciate nerd humor.”
In the face of struggling economy and an uncertain future, Cillis said that he has heard doubts about whether or not this generation of students is ready to enter college or the workplace. Cillis said he has a simple response for those people.
“I tell them to come to Herricks,” Cillis said.
