ALBANY — Friends and family of Berne-Knox-Westerlo graduates made their way to downtown Albany on June 24 to see the class of 2017 accept their diplomas at the Egg Performing Arts Center, where both students and staff offered advice for the future based on the past.

The 62 students waited in the the Egg auditorium’s top row before descending to the stage where they would receive their diplomas, while a slideshow projected old photos of the students. Students leaned forward in anticipation, one mouthing the words to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts as it played during a display of students’ baby pictures.

Secondary school principal Mark Pitterson was the first to speak after the students were seated, telling the seniors a story about giraffes at the San Diego Zoo that refuse to cross a moat of shallow water because they don’t know how deep it is.

“Do not be a giraffe,” Pitterson advised, to laughter, before he launched into the story. “Never be imprisoned by fear,” he concluded.

“Take chances”

Like Pitterson, salutatorian Liam Hanley, advised his fellow classmates not be driven by fear and anxiety.

“My dad once told me that he never regretted the mistakes he’d made, only the things he never tried,” he said. “That’s why it’s important for us to take chances and not worry about failure.”

“That’s enough about the future, today’s truly about the past,” continued Hanley, who had earlier recalled memories of his classmates growing up at BKW.

“Like, the lovely sportsmanship of recess football games,” Hanley quipped. “Brad’s odd affinity for peanut butter, or how all this time Luke has been trying to keep his truck on four wheels and Jonathan’s been trying to keep all four wheels on his truck.”

The class broke out into laughter before Hanley noted that, despite these unique quirks, everyone sitting in the auditorium had one thing in common — pride. He emphasized that the diploma earned today is well worth it as the first step to living a comfortable life.

“The age of making something for yourself is no longer around,” he said. “So this piece of paper that we get today brings us all closer to the new American Dream.”

“Use common sense”

Valedictorian Michelle Ferraino had told The Enterprise earlier in the week that she would try to bring her blunt sense of humor to the graduation ceremony.

“Too short for this mic,” she said, dryly, as the 5 foot, 3 inch graduate approached the podium.

Like Hanley, Ferraino recounted past events at BKW.

“For many of us, we’re sitting here because of too many all-nighters, too many cups of coffee or Monster Energy — or in Liam’s case, Mountain Dew,” she grimaced.

Ferraino recounted digging in a sandbox to get to China, the pervasiveness of silly bands and fidget spinners — depending on the time frame — and the class’s witnessing of historic events: the first black president and “the transformation of Miley Cyrus.”

She also recalled teachers and students enduring an ever-changing administration: six different secondary school principals, and various superintendents and athletic directors.

Although she joked that the changes brought forth gray hairs and male-pattern baldness in the staff, Ferraino credited the teachers and faculty with devotion to the school, such as special-education teacher Laura Mileto’s 90-minute commute from Wilton in Saratoga County, and retiring keyboard specialist Susan May’s many duties.

“This woman has pole-vaulted beyond her job description to keep this school running, despite the frequent changes in administration,” said Ferraino.

She then offered advice to her younger classmates, including advising them to avoid the pubescent, “smelly seventh-grader” phase that her class went through.

“If you have access to soap, or a working shower, use it,” she advised, before switching to a slightly more serious note.

“If you possess the gift — or curse — of common sense, do not be afraid to use it,” she said. “Because sometimes that little voice in the back of your head is right.”

Patriotism unleashed

Rather than smelly seventh-graders, patriotism permeated the ceremony. Ferraino asked, before she began her speech, for any veterans in the room to stand up. Many in her family are veterans, she told The Enterprise, and she is seeking a career path where she can help veterans.

The crowd later started chanting “U.-S-.A.!” as they were encouraged by retiring social studies teacher Robert Bentley, dressed as Uncle Sam with a navy jacket printed with stars and a red-and-white-striped vest.

Bentley, the commencement speaker for a fifth year in the row, said he thought the previous ceremony was his last before deciding to stay on and teach these students for another year before retiring. Last year, during his speech, he had changed into a Captain America costume, saying “I am a superhero — I teach.”

“I blew all my good material last year,” Bentley lamented. “It better be something great.”

But he had an unexpected word of advice to the class.

“It’s not all about you,” he said. “You’ll find there are bigger, more important things in life; like your family, friends, faith, and country,” he added, to cheers from the crowd, as the graduating students waved small American flags.

His speech included references to author and YouTube vlogger John Green, rappers Tupac Shakur and Kanye West (twice), the band the Grateful Dead, George W. Bush, and Eminem.

“Guess who’s back? Bentley’s back...I’m retired now, I can do whatever I want,” Bentley quipped, regarding the quotes.

He also poked fun at the class.

“You guys remember when Ryan frisbie-ed that tray and hit Zach in back of the head?” he asked, “Remember when Kai fell asleep in the middle of a park ranger demonstration right in the middle of Hyde Park?”

But his jokes aside, Bentley expressed his compassion for the class and their achievements.

“I couldn’t possibly have chosen a better group to go out with,” Bentley said.

He noted that Kai Fischer would be going to Dartmouth college on a full scholarship. He also pointed out the graduating seniors who are firefighters and ambulance volunteers, Ferraino’s achievements, and the fishing scholarship earned by Brad Ableman.

“You’re an inspiration to me, I came back because of you,” Bentley said to the class. “You deserve this, you really do,” he said. “Just don’t put me on Instagram, I’m warning you, not with this thing on.”