Speeches were shared, the Newtown High School Chamber Choir and Concert Band performed, and the Class of 2019 wrapped up their high school careers with crisp white diplomas during commencement ceremonies held at Western Connecticut State University’s O’Neill Center June 11.

Students gathered outside under bright sunny skies as a light breeze set graduation gowns fluttering. And then it was time for the 412 members of the Class of 2019 to begin entering the cavernous venue.

In offering congratulations to the soon-to-be graduates, NHS Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco reviewed her lists of the “top five things you will miss about Newtown High School” and the “top five things you will not miss.”

The “will not miss list” included bells ringing, being marked tardy, detentions, and more. The “will miss list” included seeing everyone every day; clubs, activities, and sports; caring, dedicated teachers and staff; proudly wearing blue and gold; and “being a small part of something bigger.”

“My hope is that the items on the ‘will miss list’ are deeper and more meaningful memories that you will carry with you as you begin your life outside of NHS,” Dr Longobucco said.

She challenged the students to take what they will miss about NHS and share it with someone “on your next journey.”

“You’re being handed a blank canvas. Newtown has made sure that the fibers are strong and tightly wound, and now it is your turn to be the artist,” Dr Longobucco reflected, adding later that the community “cannot wait to see what your next masterpiece entails.”

Student Government Co-President Anika Brady shared a speech next, saying that the “412 of us in this room” will be going in different directions. After graduating, the students will attend 141 higher education institutions, two will enlist in the armed forces, two will head to trade schools, six plan on taking a gap year, and three “will become full-time members of the workforce.”

“All of us are ready to make our mark on the world,” Anika said.

‘Remain a ’Hawk’

In the fall, many of the students will be freshmen again, Anika observed.

“While most of us will never be a ’Hawk again, we will remain a ’Hawk in our actions — the respect we show others, the truthfulness in what we do, our drive to always outwork what we have done before, and our desire to serve our community,” said Anika.

Class council representatives Jacquelyn Matthews, Simone Paradis, and Emma Stierle asked veterans in the audience to stand, along with the graduates who have made the choice to serve in the armed forces. Simone asked the Class of 2019 to take time to thank people who have supported them and helped them to succeed, like parents, Dr Longobucco, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, administrators, teachers, custodians, support staff, security guards, grandparents, and “reluctant siblings.”

Emma announced the Class of 2019 includes “some of the most influential leaders of our generation.” Class members have lobbied members of Congress, led Relay for Life teams, researched at Yale University, won SWC games, logged thousands of community service hours, and “accomplished a lot.”

Reflecting on all of the things the Class of 2019 has in common, Jacquelyn said the students have stood in line at Ferris Acres Creamery, trick-or-treated on Main Street, grabbed food at Misty Vale Deli & General Store, dressed up for Spirit Week, cheered in the Hawk’s Nest, and waited “in before and after school traffic.”

“We will keep these Newtown High School memories with us for the rest of our lives,” said Jacqueline. “To our fellow students, wherever you go, know you will always have a home here, rooting for your success.”

NHS Class of 2019 salutatorian Hailey Pankow reflected on time during her speech.

“In high school, we sat through 4,320 classes, for a total of 233,280 minutes,” said Hailey, adding that the class collectively may have spent 23,520 minutes in the senior courtyard, and it “felt like we spent more than one million seconds cheering on our favorite teams.”

The class has accomplished much sense starting at NHS as freshmen four years ago, she shared, adding that it is “up to us what we do with our time.”

“Take a couple of seconds to thank your favorite teacher, to hug your friends, to smile at the thought that this journey is finally over,” Hailey said. “Think about how you spend each minute from now on, but never forget how your hours were spent at Newtown High School.”

Scholars Recognized

Newtown Scholarship Association President Patrick Kelley also spoke at the event. He named each of the 39 graduates who received an award through his association this year, and the students stood to be celebrated.

Dr Rodrigue said the NHS graduation ceremony is “the event we look forward to every year.” The students, she said, defined “in their own unique ways” the Newtown Public Schools community. Dr Rodrigue highlighted many ways Class of 2019 members volunteered, like those who opted to complete the school’s first round of Senior Capstone Projects.

“On behalf of the Board of Education and the staff of Newtown Public Schools, we truly wish you the very best,” said Dr Rodrigue.

Valedictorian Bryan Ingwersen noted the ceremony marked a “greatly anticipated yet bittersweet occasion.”

“Newtown High School has been our common home for the past four years, and this will probably be the last event that brings us all together in just one place,” Bryan observed. “During our journey, we have made tough decisions... We have made some great friendships here.”

NHS, he said, has exposed the graduates to universal teachings that will prepare them build new knowledge as the world around them changes.

“Keep looking at [life] from new angles, and never forget to have fun with it,” said Bryan. “Remember to smile, to laugh, and tell a bad joke once and a while. So congrats Class of 2019. Be proud of what you have accomplished here, but continue to enthusiastically embrace the unexpected.”

When sharing the commencement speech, English teachers Kristin English and Richard Lye reminded the graduates that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing, a feat achieved “with less technology than you currently have in your pocket,” as Mr Lye said.

“We’re here to ask your generation to reach for that faraway challenge,” Mr Lye added.

Reflections Of Resilience

Ms English said the students “are already more than what people see.” She told them to know their worth and opportunities will present themselves.

“Remember, there is more than one way to the moon, metaphorically speaking, of course,” said Ms English.

Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku noted that the students were born “during a time of great challenge for this country,” either just before or just after the events 9/11.

“I assure you, all the adults around you wondered what your future held as we cradled you as babies, while waiting for your arrival, watching the tragic events of September 11, 2001,” Ms Ku said. “Today, we know... that there was much more hardship, but also many more victories, in those last 18 years.”

The graduates’ successes are a reflection of resilience, Ms Ku observed.

“Now your chance has arrived to share your achievements and grow your contributions to the world. Today, I have the great privilege of endorsing the culmination of years of your hard work,” said Ms Ku. “On behalf of the Board of Education, I am pleased to announce the Class of 2019 graduates of Newtown High School. Congratulations.”

A round of applause filled the center before students Brooke Antous, Simone Paradis, Emma Stierle, and Carly Swierbut announced the names of each of their fellow graduates so they could walk across the stage to receive diplomas.

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