The valedictorian spoke on the importance of hard work; the salutatorian on the need to stay true to self; and the keynote speaker, science teacher Kenneth Young, gave the 95 graduates a self-care list to follow — all at Voorheesville’s June 23 graduation ceremony.
Berne-Knox-Westerlo valedictorian Michelle Ferraino was once unsure about the new school she was starting at when she was 10. Now, she speaks of a place with resilient and compassionate students and staff.
Berne-Knox-Westerlo Salutatorian Liam Hanley has grown up doing activities outdoors in the Hilltowns. He now gets to pursue his love of the outdoors and his skills in math and science studying at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
At the Berne-Knox-Westerlo graduation, speakers looked two ways: back at the graduates’ past experiences at BKW, and also to their future paths in life.
KNOX — Brad Ableman, who is 17, has been fishing since he was “old enough to cast a rod and reel,” and has wanted to be like the professional anglers he has followed over the years. Now, he’s getting that chance.
Districts like at Cobleskill-Richmondville are currently letting students take college courses from the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill in the high school, in order to earn a degree a year early.
As high schoolers graduate and head off to college, they may soon begin racking up college debt. But farming may provide an opportunity to alleviate student debt in New York State.
Concern for material success was not a dominant theme of the speeches at Guilderland’s commencement ceremony on June 24, 2017. Instead, speakers advised graduates to speak the truth, learn to listen, and empathize with others.
