Graduation exercises return to familiar surroundings this year

by Dan McClelland

Friday evening was a warm, humid early summer evening with indoor temperatures hovering in the high 70s and low 80s. But that didn’t keep hundreds of proud parents and families from crowding into the high school gym to celebrate a major milestone in their children’s lives at the 2024 commencement exercises.

The bleachers and seats in the gym were filled almost a half an hour before the 6:30p.m. start of graduation.

The number of graduates was up slightly from recent years, a few of which saw class sizes in the lows 40s.

It was more of a traditional setting compared with recent ones which were held outdoors in various ways at the elementary school’s Rotary Track and Field or in the parking lot during the COVID years.

Class valedictorian was Emelia Foote but she did not attend the ceremony. Griffin Shaheen was this year’s salutatorian and he was in attendance to give his address.

The outstanding educator award had to be awarded in absentia. Missing too were the large screens and ceremonial adornments that Good Guy Productions have added to recent high school graduations.

Once the graduates marched into the gym to the processional, performed with enthusiasm by Laura Davison and her middle/high school band, Senior Class Member Zoe Abbott led everyone in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and “acknowledged the ancestral homelands” of the region and the generations of native peoples before us who “stewarded these lands” which eventually became known as the Adirondacks.

Their heritage and our heritage are combined and decisions made by both now guide our society and the lives of the people here today, she told her fellow graduates and their families.

“We honor this legacy today as we inspire, challenge and proudly support” all citizens.

Zoe’s words led to the performance of the national anthem by the chorus and band, directed by sisters Elizabeth Cordes and Laura Davison, and then the “Alma Mater.”

“Welcoming remarks” were offered by Senior Class Treasurer Liza Crouse. “To the graduates sitting in front of me, we made it, surviving the years of dodging hallway traffic, tirelessly making flash cards for exams, the chaos of group projects, mystery lunches and countless all-nighters.”

“Congratulations and good luck with your adventures ahead!”

“Let’s take a moment to reflect on our high school journeys. As freshmen we were like lost puppies, wandering the high school trying to navigate our schedules and petrified by the juniors and seniors cowering over us!”

“Now, four years later, we parade around the building, holding our heads high, as masters of the hallways.

She said COVID robbed them of some of their educational opportunities, but she and her classmates weathered those challenges “and came out on top! We worked to adapt and explore uncharted waters!”

She said too it’s now time for everyone to face the new challenges with that vigor and determination that carried them well through the COVID years.

Miss Crouse applauded their teachers and coaches who guided them along the way- mentioning a number of them by name.

She thanked their parents and families too for “their unwavering support, their unconditional love...and the money...oh my gosh, the money!”

Miss Crouse thanked all the parents for their many packed lunches, purchases of school supplies “and who donated to every fundraiser” that came along during their school years.

“We hope to be able to do the same things for the next generation!” Liza promised.

“-And lastly, to my fellow graduates, let’s not forget our community of Tupper Lake...we all know it takes a village to raise a child.” She challenged her fellow graduates to go forward in all their future pursuits, because now they are fully armed with the tools to overcome the adversity and challenges ahead.

Next to the podium was the middle/high school principal for the past two years, Amanda Zullo. The principal resigned earlier this month.

She told the graduates that it has been an honor and a privilege to work with them these past two years.

“I have learned a lot and I hope you did as well! Thank you! Recognizing that this is the end for us all being here I will be the first to say this day is bittersweet.

“After our many conversations these past two years I was nervous about making sure everything was as you would want it to be, all while being excited for you. Based on my experience you, I knew we had an amazing group of people behind you: Mr. St. Pierre and his crew, Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Sussey, Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Sorensen, Mrs. Brunette, Mrs. Drews, Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Stuart, faculty volunteers)- working together to help this be an awesome graduation.

“I can say with 100% certainty that you are a most resourceful and kind group of individuals. Reflecting back on our time together, I thought of when Mr. Bennett and I came to your classes and spoke with you. As we brainstormed solutions to challenges, things fell into place. I know many students are grateful for your sharing about the student parking lot, something that was able to be resolved. Senior privileges, same thing-starting them at the start (of the school year) was huge.

“You kept us on our edge with sports and many other things. Whether it was a tough decision, finding something, playing a close game or wrapping up loose ends, you persevered . As we see here today, you get stuff done and do it well. I am proud of all of you,” she told the graduates

“Your determination, and perseverance will serve you well. Two weeks ago I shared with you that this was the start of a celebratory few weeks. Fifteen years later, after my college graduation, I got this weird little thing that most of us keep in our pockets. While for me I hardly know where it is most times, many of you know well. A cell phone. I share this with you because in the past few weeks I’ve come to realize that as much as things change, things stay the same. New tools to communicate with, and to research with; and have become the godfather of. Things that do stay the same are the importance of your relationships and connections.

“I know you all experienced challenges before being here today, especially those who played kickball with the bouncy serves. Use those challenges and your actions to overcome them as a guide. Unexpected, sometimes unpleasant things, are going to pop up in your lives. When they do, use them as an opportunity to take a look inside yourselves and see what works and what doesn’t work well and make some changes for the better.

“Some paths lead to CTE certifications in heavy equipment, culinary arts, cosmo, and our budding EMT; other paths will lead to institutions of higher learning. Whatever the path and destination, there were no doubt a number of twists and turns along the way. The determination that has guided the way came from many of you here today and it is our hope that as soon-to-be graduates of Tupper Lake Middle/High School you will shine bright and share your spirit with each other and those you encounter on your path that may need a little of what you have.

“You will always be a TLCSD Graduate in the Class of 2024-a group known for its resourcefulness and kindness. The people you are sitting next to and those of us in the school will always support you. I hope you will always remember the feelings and memories of your high school experience. I also hope you will always remember that the entire TLMHS faculty and staff care about you and celebrate your achievements of today, and most importantly that you will use them to help guide you to taking the next best step. If you need us, reach out!

“Congratulations to every single member of the Class of 2024!”

An honor student and senior class president, Rachel Sorensen was next to the podium in the far end of the gym.

She said it was her privilege to serve as class president this year and honored to deliver the annual address to her fellow graduates.

“Graduating from high school is a major accomplishment, she told them, and so it is now the time to to slow down a bit to celebrate all their successes.

She said early in their high school days they looked up to the seniors, “who all seemed so grown up, and now here we are as seniors.”

“I remember admiring all the things that come with being a senior- the special award ceremonies, senior nights...and all the things seniors seem to get away with being seniors.

She said all those senior events came to them in a flash.

Growing up in the Adirondacks- a very special place, she told her classmates that wherever their journeys take them, “we will always have a place to call home here!”

“We are so fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful community that has provided us with many opportunities to learn and grow! She said Tupper Lake is a community that recognizes individual differences “and allowed us to make mistakes.”

Rachel applauded the senior class advisors- Melissa Savage and Sundy Sorensen “for creating a magical backdrop” to their senior years by coordinating their many senior privileges.

“And thank you to our families for their endless love and support. You have been there for us since the beginning. You have provided our motivation, pushing us to keep going and not to give up.

Rachel said they will always be grateful to the contributions of their teachers, coaches and advisors, who will always be part of our lives...even if we don’t know it yet.

She encouraged her classmates to remain close and stay together through the coming years. “Soon, when we come together, we’ll be sharing stories about all those good old days in high school.”

“To the Class of 2024, you have made this moment and one of our last memories together, so bittersweet. When writing this speech, I was struck by all the things” we have experienced together...COVID, getting our driver’s licenses, prom, Homecoming, games and each one of our birthdays.

She made some comical comments about some of her classmates, including Cody Auclair, Grant Bencze, Raegan Fritts and Mikey Corneau, saying they brought both color and fun to their class.

She finished her address with the words of Natasha Bedingfield’s song, “Unwritten”- Live your life with arms wide open...Today is where your book begins...the rest is still unwritten!”

Class Salutatorian this year was Griffin Shaheen, who excelled academically and athletically during his school years with the second highest grade point average in his class and as a stand-out and record-breaking athlete in baseball, hockey and other sports.

Griffin told the crowd that with the temperature and humidity in the room he was going to do everyone a favor and keep his salutatory address short.

Applause of agreement from the crowd.

“First and foremost I’d like to take the opportunity to thank” our teachers, coaches, support staff, administrators, “because without you folks there would be no celebration tonight!”

“It is also my honor to stand before you to represent the Class of 2024. With that said, this past decade we have watched ourselves change from children into young men and women.

He encouraged his classmates to embrace that change and to continue to grow as responsible adults.

“As we embark on the next chapter in our lives, I am confident we will all do great things in our own different ways. -And as much as you may all wish you had one more event at high school, one more game to play or one more project to work on with friends, this chapter of our lives is complete!

He told his classmates not to be sad that their high school years are over, but to relish the experiences and be happy it happened!

Griffin’s address was followed by the performance of the class song, “Have It All,” by Jason Mraz, song by the high school chorus, with the graduating seniors in the front row.