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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.-- Croton-Harmon High School graduates celebrated their high school graduation outdoors on the high school field, despite concerns the ceremony might be moved indoors due to heavy rain.
Cherish your friends, said Salutatorian Jacob Kleinman, cherish your acquaintances, and cherish the kids you didnt really like. He stated that weve really be through a lot together, a theme that was repeated throughout the night, as many of the students had received their entire education through the three-school district.
I hope you can treasure, said Valedictorian Sarah MacLean, the many memories you have of this place.
You have a personal connection with each person, said Daniel Delaney, one of the coordinators of the program, who also presented the CHOOSE Awards to students who had excelled during their quarter long internship program.
A group of bagpipers led the procession of 146 soon-to-be graduates into the tent and onto the stage where they would eventually receive their diplomas. The girls were all dressed in white caps and gowns, and the boys in black. Each girl also held a white carnation. Class President Jennifer Kaufman led the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and the introduction speech.
Unrest washed across the crowd when it was announced diplomas would be handed out, as grandparents, parents and friends grabbed onto a sea of cameras, cell phones and camcorders to document the moment that students would walk across the stage, and become graduates.
Throughout the ceremony there were hugs, tears and screams when a family members crossed the stage. When they were giving the speeches I realized they made my childhood what it was, said Taylor Willsea about her fellow grads.
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