By Connor Linskey
The Valley Central High School Class of 2021 rejoiced at graduation on Saturday after overcoming budget cuts as elementary school students, the challenges of a global pandemic as well as rigorous academics.
“We are the class of hardship,” said Rachel Lastowski, president of the senior class. “Facing colossal budget cuts as we exited our elementary schools and battling a global pandemic as we say farewell to high school. However, there has never been a time when we did not make the most of it.”
Estowski noted that when her class found the high school’s repertoire of clubs to be lagging, they advocated for the revival of the ski and snowboarding clubs as well as the creation of the Shakespeare club. Their hard work resulted in a field trip to Killington, Vermont as well as the production of three Shakespeare plays. When faced with mounting COVID-19 restrictions and a lack of events, the class of 2021 brought back the senior prank for the first time in almost 10 years.
Kelly Conan, the class salutatorian, reminisced on the great memories she enjoyed over the course of her high school career. She remarked on fond memories such as attending football games, spending time with her classmates and winning games of jeopardy in her classes to secure bonus points on tests.
“Along with these memories, I could stand here and talk about how we have been so strong through the more difficult high school experiences,” Conan said. “But my hope is that we know that already. We know that we have been through a lot and are beyond resilient for doing so. But what you, my classmates may not be aware of, are the amazing opportunities that lie ahead of you.”
Maddox Schaper, class valedictorian, used the seasons as a simile to describe the challenges that he and his classmates have overcome as well as what lies ahead. He compared the last year-and-a-half of school to the harsh winters of the northeast, as the challenges brought forth by the pandemic were brutal and unforgiving. Spring is a time of renewal, growth and hope, which Maddox stated is much like where he and his classmates are now. He admired the resiliency of the class and noted that summer will bring graduation parties, sporting events and other social gatherings. Schaper remarked that the graduates’ life after Valley Central is their fall.
“Our life beyond Valley Central is our fall,” he said. “We must now make use of and reap the harvest of our education.”
Schaper encouraged his classmates to enjoy the time they have. As teenagers, they have many years ahead of them and Schaper told the class to set high goals.
“Our time at Valley Central has prepared us to be relentless,” he said. “Go for that dream job. Get that degree. Start that business. What do you have to lose? If you fail, you still have millions upon millions of seconds to try again.”
Schaper noted that he hopes his classmates strive to better the world.
As the state of the COVID-19 pandemic improved, the Valley Central School District went from planning to have four mini graduations and then two before finally settling on one ceremony. Michael Conklin, co-principal of Valley Central High School, stated that life is full of peaks and valleys. He congratulated the Class of 2021 for overcoming all of the hurdles over the past year and added that there are many good times moving forward. The graduates will go on to bigger and better adventures in college, the workforce or the military.
“After countless Google Meets, canceled events, virtual ceremonies, in-car drivebys, we are finally here,” Conklin said to the graduates. “In the last 471 days, you have risen to the occasion and overcome every obstacle thrown your way. You have been resilient, adaptive and versatile and have proven to all of us around you that you have the capability to do far more than anyone ever could have imagined.”
John Xanthis, superintendent of schools, told the graduates to continue to work hard and enjoy life’s journey. He also underscored the importance of being kind to others as well as yourself.
“Yes, you want to be independent and successful, but you also want to strive for peace and happiness in your life,” Xanthis said.
Joseph Bond, president of the board of education, noted that wherever the graduates go in life, they will always have a home in the Valley Central School District as well as the Town of Montgomery community.
“You have brought happiness to the land of the vikings,” he said. “On behalf of the board of education, I’d like to wish you the best in your journeys and it is my honor to now proclaim you as the graduating Class of 2021!”