On June 27, 189 members of what Principal Jeannine Clark described as “a truly exceptional class” graduated from Pelham Memorial High School. It is a class, which Mrs. Clark said boasts of a long list of academic and athletic achievements as well as community service but is also respectful, not only of us as teachers and administrators, but also of each other.

As one of the strongest classes in recent years, 96% are attending college next year with 44% accepted into the either the “most competitive” or “highly competitive” colleges according to Barron’s Profile of American Colleges. Awards included a semi finalist in both the Siemens’ and Intel 2009 competitions, a Presidential Scholar in the Arts competition, athletes who have placed first and second in the State individually or in teams and broken more than 15 school records, and four years of community service that ranged from blood drives for the Red Cross and fund raising for Operation Smile and veterans to Breast Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis Walks.

As part of the tradition at the PMHS ceremony, three students also shared a personal message with students, including an original song by Nicole Rood entitled Bury My Wings. Graduate Katherine Wessman in her speech urged her classmates to “be open to everything the world has to offer us right now and in our futures and….to always ‘make face time.’” Class President Sara Keith reminded her classmates that while they have been “always looking to take the next bigger and better step since kindergarten…it is important to sit back and appreciate what we already have.” Echoing the words of American author Robert Fulghum, she said, “The grass is greenest where it is watered.”

Awards were also presented to the following students:

For community service, Dr. John Pacia, on behalf of the Pelham Civics Association, presented The Vincent Lopardi Award of $5000 to Grace Murray and the Camillo D’Urso Award of $5000 to Morgan McDaniel. The Rotary Club of the Pelham Scholarship for $10,000 was given to Rebecca Carden by Bob Rendon. President of the Pelham Council of the PTAs, Deborah Slaner Larkin, presented the W.W. Fairclough Scholarships to the top three students: $5,000 to Morgan McDaniel as first in her class and $1150 each to Rosa Gandler and Thomas Heins who tied for second place. Commander Frank Barbieri presented the American Legion Awards to Caitlin Leavey and to Marc Flory. Superintendent Dr. Dennis Lauro presented the highest award, the Memorial Tablet, for academic, extracurricular activities, and leadership to Morgan McDaniel and John Zachary Doherty.

Dr. Lauro urged the class of 2009 “to plan ahead, talk small steps, be patient, and have the courage to take risks.” In closing, he said, “My wish for each of you is that you have a long and healthy life ahead of you, that you set your goals high and that you seek help when needed, that you persist, but that you always make time for family and friends.”