28. Graduation

This year has come to an end
Like so many before
Only this time
We final walk out these doors

So eager to get out
Forgetting it’s the end
This could be the last time
We see each other
Ever again.

But we will always remember
The times we’ve shared
And when we go to a class reunion
It will remind us how much we all cared

We will always be friends
Deep in our hearts
Even though we could be a thousand miles
Apart

I stand here today
Thinking of everything we’ve done
And giggle when I think about
All the fun

I still can’t believe its here
This thing we’ve been counting down to
For all these years

So when we leave today
Promise not to forget
All these times we’ve shared
Even the ones we probably should regret

This year has come to an end
Like so many before
Only this time
We finally walk out the doors

Four years ago we were in the same spot as we are now, king of the hill fourth graders who went to move up day and came back scared and excited. We’re not scared now though, nope, not us, it isn’t possible, right?
When we started fifth grade we clung together in these little groups from the same elementary school groups, but slowly we made friends and now we don’t really think of people in terms of which of the three schools they came from, they’re just kids from our school now, our school.
Think of your little fourth grade self lying in bed four years ago thinking that it is all going to end; that there is no possible way they can leave the school they go to and make friends like the ones they have now. They’re hoping that time will just freeze, and they can lie there in the blackness with the window open listening to the crickets chirping in the spring air forever. But the reality in our wonderful world, is that time does not stop, things change, Monday rolls around, and the bus always shows up to bring us here. To school, for the thing they call education.
And here we are, little fourth grade selves look at us now, sitting in a gymnasium hung with colors we have represented and are leaving behind to be passed on to the fourth graders coming in. They’ll get our lockers, our classes, our teachers. They’ll walk the same hallways learn the same lessons; take our place, because now we are older, wiser, and have far less common sense. Now as they take our place, we are moving on to take someone else’s place, to heckle someone’s teachers, to wear someone’s colors, because that’s what it’s all about. And in four years we’ll be saying, “Little eighth grade me, what were you looking for, what were you scared of? Little eighth grade me, it’ll be ok. Make the best of today and live your life. You don’t know what you’ve got till you lose it.”

You and your friends are in tears
Leaving behind the high school years
You hope it will be fine
You look forward to having so many good times
But now your whole life is up to you
You’re a little afraid of all that you must do
But let life happen as it may
It will straighten itself out
It’s time to celebrate
You’re free for the moment
Having fun now is what it’s all about

The Day Greg Goedewaagen

The air is flavored with a gentle breeze,
that seems to relieve the shock and greatness of it all.
It’s the day when so many things pay off,
the day when the last few years all of a sudden reach
their boiling point.
And in the climax the sky is but a few sprinkles of blue that have managed
to find their way through the surge of tasseled hats,
that seem to remain suspended in the air for everyone to take in,
for everyone to remember. -- Greg Goedewaagen

That Bittersweet Feeling

By Allyson Paquette
Rochester High School, Grade 10

Standing
Shoulder to shoulder
Trying to keep our heads up high.

People
We don’t know half of
Come out to bid us goodbye.

Music
Begins to play
I count the beats in my head.

Walking
The endless aisle
Keeping an eye on my target.

Sun
Beats down on us
I wish there was a breeze.

Sitting
White chairs in rows
I try to pick someone out of the crowd.

Smiling
As I receive my diploma
Then head back to my place.

Walking
Again, yet not the same
A new direction of life upon us.

Hugs
From friends, family, strangers alike
A pile of cards in my hand.

Tears
Pour down my cheeks
Will I see you all again?

Friends
Since we were born
We can’t bear the thought of leaving.

Shouts
Of mixed feelings, as we the class of 2010, graduate from Rochester High School on that hot, humid day in June.

They say, teachers, adults, parents, that high school is preparing you for the ‘real’ world, that school is easier then the things you will face in the real world. They say that school is meaningful and that you will use everything you learn, they say that books such as The Scarlet Letter, readings like Shakespeare will help you further your career, and that by reading these books they will change your life. That’s what they say… and they’re wrong.

High school is the real world.

High school is full of those real life people you will meet, those long hours, working on weekends, vacations. Teachers like bosses, some are nice, some expect work to be done, sick or ill, they still want it in, which leads to the long weeks. Almost seven hours of school each and every day, then to come home with more work. Perhaps two or three hours more, a day of nine or ten hours of work. They say that a day job can be stressful and that you’ll work long hours. But you’re already doing that.

High school is the real world.

There are those who don’t believe this logic, they say that when they were in school times were just the same. They are not the ones with the homework, the ones with the exams to pass, the tests to fail. Times have changed. They may have walked uphill both ways, but the students of this modern world are climbing a vertical mountain.

They say that life beyond the safety of school will be a struggle for some, it will be challenging and tough, isn’t that what high school is? Students who have spent sleepless nights, up till twelve, then rising before the sun, countless hours spent on projects that are simply discarded after a small letter grade. A reward? Working long hours in an office to bring new ideas, to bring together a letter, a document, a film, a story, is much more so, these are not simple discarded, but regarded.

High school is the real world.

I like to think

By Karlie Kauffeld
Leland and Gray Union High School, Grade 11

It seems like only yesterday
that we were driving through town
to see the latest movie
going out to eat
taking on the 17-scoop ice cream
playing in the fountain on the common
making earrings
making friends
making wishes
gossiping
complaining
crying
laughing
smiling
loving.
And now
you're leaving.
Your time has come
this part of your life is over.
I fall into the chunk of memories
labeled,
"high school past times."
I am trying to be OK with that
but you know I'll miss you.
Nothing will be the same.
different gossiping, different complaining and crying.
Different laughing, smiling and story telling.
but I like to think
that I helped you get through
those teenage years that our parents
have grown to dread.
I like to think
that I've helped shape who you are today
in that silly gown
shaking hands
hugging family
I like to think

This Isn't Supposed to Make you Cry

By Maria Burt
Castleton Village School, Grade 8

The kind of merriment my friends and I had was unthinkable. We laughed until we cried. I know we’re getting ready to go to off into the world and we’re just about ready for graduation, but I’ll never forget these last years. The secrets we shared, the laughs we laughed, the tears we cried, the things we saw, and the friendships that were made stronger.
Soon, we’ll go our separate ways. I don’t want this to come to an end, but it has to. We’ve never been closer, but it’s hard to think that I may never see some of my closest friends ever again. We’ll get through this year and hopefully stay in touch. Maybe we won’t be this close anymore, but we still have each other somewhere in our hearts.

Four long years of studying
Four long years of tests
Four long years of trying to show our best

More importantly,
Four long years of memories
Four long years of laughs
Four long years of friends who were the best.

Now,
Four long years of waiting
Four long years of work
Four long years is up.

.
.
.
A day we’ve been waiting for,
Four years now.
A day we’ve all been dread.
The end of one life,
The beginning of another.

Graduation

Waiting for the day to come
When I can complete my task
Finally feel accomplished
I’ve been working for so long
Waiting
Waiting to move onto the next step
Begin my life
But now, today
All I can do is wait

Dont be a tool
Go to school
It helps you not
To be a fool

Graduation '10

By Noellen Neisner
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

Let’s think for a moment: the first day of second grade. The most exciting part of that day was how your hair looked or what shirt you were wearing. It didn’t matter how you got to school that day. There’s a saying I have heard that says, “It isn’t where you are going, but how you get there.”

Let’s think for a moment. How did you get here today? You might have driven, walked, ridden a bike, or hitched a ride. But, how did you really get here today? Was it a nice, calm ride with a few jokes from the front seat of the car? Was it through fear of the 15-year-old behind the wheel, their first time taking other people’s lives into their hands? Was it unbearable because of the music that your parents were playing? Or, was it serene, just biking along the side of the road, looking at the road beneath you?

Graduation time
Stepping into your future
Ready for college?

It was the day I was graduating high school. Yippee for me, but not for all of the other classmates besides me who were listening to J.K. Rowling ramble on about decisions. Of course, J.K. Rowling was my favorite author and I loved her books so very much but it was different to have her giving the graduating speech. Scary, almost.
"So you see, kids, we must not forget Harry Potter. There are many Harry's in this room who will go to a very nice college. Yet there are also many Malfoy's in here who wil go through life difficultly. It is your choice to overcome obstacles like Harry overcomed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. But he had the guts to do it. All I'm saying is that you are going to be alone when you get out of college. Remember you are not children anymore, try your hardest to succeed and become something of yourself. Whenever you have a fear, just remember Harry Potter and what he did," said J.K. Rowlng
Kids were almost sleeping on their chairs by now.
"We must enjoy life but also when times come that are hard like the wizard world coming to an end, we must be strong. Be brave. If all of you can do this for me, then I will continue the Harry Potter series," insisted J.K. Rowling.
Now THIS kids heard.
"WE WILL"
The room burst into cheers and thousands of diploma hats went up in the air.

The crowd is gathered
Filled with
Proud parents
Loving friends
And caring family members.
The students walk out
Some nervous
Excited
Can’t wait to leave.
The ceremony begins
And there are tears
In the eyes of
Teachers,
Parents,
Friends.
Soon it is over
And now these students
Must truly
Live by themselves
Enter the exciting world of
Jobs
College
And travel.
It is now up to them
To make their own decisions
Treat themselves well
Make their own way in life
And the people who have
Cared for them for these
Essential beginning years
Are now forced to
Let them go.

As I walk outside,
I think,
"I'm out of here"
My hands touch the red and white carnations pinned to my blouse
School colors
I spot the rest of my class
All but one or two are dressed up
All have the same flowers pinned on
We hurry to get into our line alphabetically
"Ready?" one teacher asks
We hear the piano begin to play
We file in to applause
I spot my parents and brother grinning
As soon as I reach my seat,
A loud piercing sound fills my ears
Parents look up in alarm
The students begin to smile
"Oh goody" someone whispers
The piano stops playing
The assistant principal stands up to talk
"This has happened several times in the past few days,
"Please file out calmly"
Words fly in my ears
"Stupid fire alarm" and "Fun graduation eh?"
When we get outside,
Fire trucks come roaring in
Both Essex Junction and Essex Town came!
I stand with friends and my dad
My dad gets a wonderful photo of me in front of a fire truck
Another twenty and we're back in
Ahh, eighth grade graduation

Four Years

By Bridget Iverson
Mount Mansfield Union High School, Grade 9

It wasn't an end so much as
a moving on.

The plastic chairs in the gym used to fit her
in fifth grade but now
her knees stuck up too high

and the plastic surface
clung to the fabric of her skirt.

The principle congratulated the music award winners.
She stared at the foam balls caught in the ceiling fans
and heard years-old PE classes
echo in the applause around her.

She wasn't sad to leave.

In high school she could
maybe start better than she did
when she was ten,
better now that she had four more years
of life.

Four years of homework
and teachers
and purple-carpeted floors with
bits of crumbs the janitors never caught.
Four years of walking the halls
with friends, and sometimes
walking alone and wishing someone was with her.

Four years of possibilities
that were never quite possible
for her.

Four years of life.

Four years she was leaving
behind.

Graduation

By Liam Mckinley
Rochester High School, Grade 10

Years and years, shoved into mere minutes

Where everything matters

No words left unsaid

Nothing left untouched

And the responsibilities taken

You’ve left me stumbling and tripping down memory lane

Your eyes filled with all the laughter and tears

Growing and finding each other at the right times

And at the wrong times

Learning to stop caring

And start smiling

Smile no matter what

Why should it be any other way?

Frowns just make no sense to me all of a sudden

So thank you.

And now,

Welcome to graduation...

The slow music plays. We walk down the aisle, two by two. There is an eight foot space between each pair of graduates. We’re all in synch as we march. Step with your left foot. Feet together. Step with your right. Feet together. The crowds’ eyes follow us up the aisle. It is silent except for the piano. We are all wearing blue caps and gowns, shiny and new. The gowns lightly sway as we march.
Finally we are on the stage. We are all standing with the same outfit. A bird’s eye view of the stage would reveal an array of 32 square blue caps, some turning or twitching at moments of nervousness and excitement. We all standd on that stage with our posture as straight as possible, proud as can be; proud to be the class that’s moving on to a bigger and better school, and more important things. Together, we stand on the stage with unity. We’ve all been through the same things. We’ve all been going to the same school for nine years. We’re all one class. We’re all one big group of friends. We all stand as one. We are all together for the last time in our lives. The graduating class of 2008.

Left in the Dust

By Kathryn Howrigan
Fairfield Center School, Grade 7

There is one graduation I will never forget and surprisingly, it was my brother’s. If you don’t know my brother, bear with me on this story. If you do, then you might understand how his graduation went. It all started on the five-minute car ride to school, when Mom said, “Oh, they grow up so fast,” followed by a sniff and a cough. Dad was trying to console her, telling her it was only an eighth-grade graduation, not high school or college. Cullen was staring out the window wearing his dress shirt, dress pants and a tie that Mom had picked out and tied, for him. I had been forced by my mother to wear my uncomfortable “dressy” clothes too, and I just wanted to scream, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? IT’S ONLY EIGHTH GRADE!

Ideal Graduation Speech

By Jessica Cooper
Chelsea Public School, Grade 12

Hello, and thank you for attending the class of 2008's graduation! The ceremony will be shorter than most graduations because we all know you really don’t want to listen to us talk about ourselves more than the actual students and it's the speeches that take up the most time. So the diplomas are located on the table over there on that table along with the award letters. I would like to personally welcome the graduates to the real world and wish them the best of luck. It's been fun guys. Thanks and have a good night.

Great time
Reunion with friends
Achievements all the time
Decision making
United with friends
Adventures through school
Teenage fun
Impressing family
Onset of a new beginning
New goals to be made

One Last

By Samantha Burns
Fairfield Center School, Grade 8

One last walk
Side by side
Down the aisle
No one talks

One last speech
Diploma time
Brisk handshakes
Smile wide

One last hug
After so many years
We’re freshmen now
So cheer!

Graduating class of ’08, so relieved to be included in it
Raising my arm to flip the tassel, feeling the joy of completing eighth grade successfully
Ahead of me lies a big change, but I know I am ready for whatever is thrown at me
Dreading the homework that comes with high school
Unbelievable how fast those previous years flew by
Awaiting the end of the year, but wondering about the surprises the new school will bring
Thinking of my future and what it has in store for me
Initially being scared of moving on, but now feeling pure excitement to experience the new and the different
Once I was scared of eighth grades, but being one now, I feel so proud
Now I am 14 years wiser, and ready to move on to something bigger and better, high school.

Graduation Speech

By Katelyn Robertello
Mount St. Joseph Academy, Grade 9

Graduation is a time to reflect on all the fun we had.
The memories we made with the friends we have.
And the craziness we shared.
We are all friends.
Like peas in a pod.
Or like frogs on a log.
So when you hear this speech today
Don’t think about how sad you are about leaving your high school friends.
Just think about how you happy you were when we all first met
In freshman year, we will never forget
Us as a class
It was a blast, those happy days, which we had
Now we will go off in the world and see the most wonderful things
Then you will think of the past and what a joyous time that was
Our time is ended and our life is beginning
So our let our fun begin.

It's the big day. The day you have to go up on to that stage, get your diploma, and take one last look at your school. Everyone has to do this sooner or later and it's quite sad having to say goodbye too you school you friends and all the amazin g things at your school.

Eighth Grade Speech: Soaring Through Challenges

By Chloe Trifilio
Williston Central School, Grade 7

Four score and seven years ago . . . Just kidding, it was only eight years ago that’s when it all started for us. We were like little birds getting ready to take the flight of a life. First grade, first steps being little kids in a big school. Then time goes on and it flips. We are the big kids in a seemingly little school. And in a couple more months you’ll be the little kids again. It seems like whenever you face a challenge an even bigger challenge comes up. It feels like your wings need a rest but you've got to keep flapping along. But no matter how many challenges we face, I believe that we can get through the challenges and hard times even with a little help from our peers, our teachers, and our parents. They’ve all helped in some way in our arrival to these great challenge-bringing seats and for that I thank you.

One Last Chance

By Eden Hubert
Dover Elementary School, Grade 5

The walk down the aisle is terrifying. She hates it. All the way through. Everybody stares at her. Some shouting. Others keeping silent, wishing she was their stunning daughter, gorgeously dressed from head to toe in white.

Cameras flash at her, but she can't tell. She is too busy trying to walk correctly. This foot then that one, then this one. The music makes her even more nervous.

When she finally meets the rest of her class, she realizes this is it. One last chance to say goodbye to her friends. One last chance to look through the lost and found. One last look at her school. One last time to stand up to the school bully. She wishes she were brave enough to do all of these things, but she's not. And she doesn't.

Perception of Endings

By Sarah Levine
The Grammar School, Grade 8

Flitting down hallways
receiving and giving
mostly pink, sometimes white or gray
maybe even blue

We held hands
in chains five people long
no one minded
no one judged
not even those
who had...
more authority

Maybe it's the last time
that we'll do those things
but I have to remember
WE have to remember
that we also
laughed
talked
and loved

Last times
can be hard
there can be tears,
anger,
regret
but last times
can start new beginnings
and we will ALWAYS
have the memories
of what was
and the excitement
of what is
to come.

And remember,
I'm only a flashback away
and love
has no last time.