Turley Publications photos by Jonathan Cook

Class Secretary Olivia Jankins brought tears to more than a few eyes,

including her own, in an emotional thank you to her family.

Quaboag graduates 74 cougars

 

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN - Saturday's 42nd Quaboag Regional Middle/High School Commencement featured a gymnasium full of laughter, thankful tears and the sheer exhilaration of bearing witness to more than 70 high school graduates fly the coop.

Families, friends, and well-wishing teachers (who became both) filled almost every seat and cheered like the fans they are. In attendance were the Police Chiefs – C. Thomas O'Donnell of West Brookfield and Bruce Spiewakowski of Warren. O'Donnell's son, Charles Matthew O'Donnell, was among the graduates.

Also in the seats were the partner towns' boards of selectmen who were thanked for their support by Superintendent Brett Kustigian. And, of course, the 12 members of the School Committee sat front row, more than one of them with a child in cap and gown.

Kustigian took the podium and led the audience in a rousing applause of congratulations for the Class of 2010.

But he immediately reminded the room – with those congrats comes serious challenge.

After all, this happy day shares history with the 47th day of the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil rig tragedy.

“Every time I hear of the disaster," said Kustigian, “I wonder why it hasn't stopped. BP is one of the largest companies in the world and it can't stop an oil leak? They have a website devoted to looking at alternative ways to solve the problem. Anyone in the world can submit a possible solution. All you need is an internet connection. Our future depends on the young minds sitting before us today. Just like the oil spill, you will be asked to come up with creative solutions for tomorrow's problems."

He continued to stress that now is no time to stop. Learning should be lifelong. He said, “I can still remember my favorite science teacher coming to class everyday and saying, ‘Any day now the United States is going to totally convert to the metric system. So, you better pay attention.' Those of you that laugh may have had the same teacher."

Kustigian explained, “My point is, what is taught in the classroom today, may be outdated or even proved wrong in the future. Our world moves very fast, and the most successful people are those who become adaptive learners.

He asked them to “Question the world around you. Many of the most famous discoveries were found because people questioned the norm."

But in challenging established road blocks, graduates should live by rules. Kustigian offered three that work for the tee ball team he coaches. “Work hard. Play fair. And enjoy the game that we call life."

With all that on their shoulders, Kustigian said he does not worry. “I have the utmost confidence in all of you. Now it's time to go out there, blaze a trail and make all of us proud."

Keynote speaker State Rep. Todd Smola recalled his own graduation when he felt anxious and uncertain about the future. He soon became a 19 year-old planning board member in Palmer and found a calling in politics. “You will find that your life, up until now, will carry a special place within you for the rest of your days," he said. “Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but always be willing to learn from them."

As for rules, Smola emphasized the necessity and implored them to try “Kimo's" which he'd learned from a tee shirt.

The ten easy going axioms include advice to “Speak softly and wear a loud shirt." As the audience laughed, Smola noted a few loud shirts in the seats.

He continued, “There are two ways to get rich. You could make more, or you could require less," a salient notion in the current economic climate.

Smola's final offering was a simple reminder to call home, “No matter where you go, wherever you are."

Valedictorian and Class President Alexandra French urged her fellows to choose satisfying work. “Happiness is not a luxury. It's a necessity for your long-term growth and success," she said.

For an example of that, she cited Principal Greg Myers. She revealed how every Friday morning in the school parking lot, he would say, “Woo-hoo! Only three more days until Monday."

French said, “Yes it's true. I don't know anyone so chipper at 7:30 a.m. His happiness stems from being with his students every single day."

That was a lesson she'd taken from studying piano until, having achieved a “fairly high level of skill," she decided to stop. “The truth of the matter was that I did not enjoy it," she said. “After nine years of lessons and despite other people's expectations and desires for me to continue, I quit playing piano and have since branched out into other interests I didn't know I had."

She advised, “Never allow the expectations of others hold you back from your dreams."

Brianna Fleming knows something of alternative paths. As a resident of Southbridge, she attended Quabaog via school choice. Her freshman year of 2006 branded her permanently a Cougar. As she recalled the girls' basketball championship from that year, she could see herself. “There I was, a young school choice student from Southbridge having one of the most amazing once-in-a-life-time experiences. And I really want to thank Quaboag for giving me that opportunity."

She said, “The Quaboag family has welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to thrive and grow."

Sharing Salutatorian honors with Fleming was Olivia Jankins.

For her, it was a chance to thank her family. “Thank you for telling me that nothing is out of my reach," she said.

The cadence was called, and one by one with beaming smiles, this body of seniors each accepted an opportunity otherwise known as a diploma.