Sleepy Hollow High School Honors 195 Graduates

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. - The atmosphere was celebratory at Sleepy Hollow High School Thursday evening as 195 students received their diplomas.

The day’s weather forced the ceremony indoors, splitting up the graduation audience into two venues - the auditorium and the gym. Most took the opportunity to revel in the accomplishments of their family and friends, regardless of where they ended up watching the ceremony.

“We know you, we believe in you, and we have faith in you,” Sleepy Hollow High School Principal Carol Conklin said.

The graduates clapped and cheered throughout the ceremony for their fellow students, teachers and school administrators.

Valedictorian Carl Robinson used his speech to make a confession -  he is a terrible ice skater.

“I can remember one of the first times I went skating, I was falling so many times I was ready to quit,” he said. “I could not stand the fact that I couldn’t skate around like everyone else and I felt out of place.”

Failure and disappointment, Robinson said, is a fact of life. And while many glance back and look at their successes, those successes wouldn’t be there without failure. He encouraged his fellow students to embrace their failures and to never be afraid to try new things.

“Make sure your skates are on tightly,” he said. “You’re bound to fall sometime.”

Salutatorian Adam Caspari took the time to encourage his fellow graduating seniors, telling them “you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”

“Congratulations Class of 2011,” he said. “I know you will go far.”

Senior advisors Allison Bellantoni and Robert Spirelli encouraged the graduates to never become complacent with what life gives them.

“Know that you have the ability as young members of our society to change things and to make the community around you what you want it to be, or if you don’t create change, change will create you,” Spirelli said. “Always remember that you are braver than what you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. So class of 2011, go and get what you want—but not just some. All of it.”

 

Click here to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.