6A Forum, Weston, Conn.

June 18, 2015

POMP&CIRCUMSTANCE
WESTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2015 GRADUATION

Juliette Sandak was among the 165 graduates to receive diplomas at Weston High Schools graduation on Friday, June 12.

All photos by Bryan Haeffele

CLASS of 2015
by Scarlett Machson
Weston Forum Intern
In the heat of the great white tent on the
edge of the track on June 12, hundreds of
friends, relatives, students, and faculty rose
as the first strains of Pomp and Circumstance
began to play. In filed the graduating class of
2015, some looking nervous, others tearful,
others elated at this thrilling conclusion of their
high school careers.
Once the students had taken their seats,
the 45th annual Weston High School
Commencement officially began with school
Co-President Jackson Marvin leading the
assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
This was followed by a student address
by the president of the Class of 2015, Kevin
MacWilliams. In his speech, MacWilliams
said his experiences at Weston High School
have helped him understand friendship and all
that it entails, learn to have the confidence to
change the things [he] can and the strength to
face the things [he] cannot.
He also quoted Mad Men character Don
Draper, who said, Nostalgia takes us to a
place where we ache to go again, using this to
demonstrate what he called a patchwork quilt
of memories he has of Weston High.
MacWilliams finished by telling the graduating class, The world is our oyster.
After a performance of the song Goodbye
from Sarah Metchick, Spencer Shaw gave his
student address. I just wanted to say that we
made it, he said. I would not have gotten
to this point without the generosity and care
from this class. Shaw said that after experiencing a loss in his family, he was touched
by the support and compassion from the rest
of his grade. This is why I am really happy
to be graduating with this class instead of any
other, he said.
Math teacher Christopher Sadler then gave
the faculty address. He was overwhelmingly
requested by the class of 2015 to be the faculty speaker, and he referred to this as a tremendous honor and responsibility.
Sadler proceeded to share a humorous anecdote about his hesitance to accept this role,
before he eventually asked himself the question, What would I have most wanted to hear
at my graduation?
Sadler said the best advice he could give to
the graduating class would be to take risks in
life. I am talking about calculated risks, he
said, that will aid you in your transition to
adulthood. Sadler encouraged the students to
take courses in college that would challenge
their world view and to have the confidence to
put themselves in situations with which they
would not ordinarily be comfortable.
He finished by telling the class to take the
risk to bet on yourselves and that he could
confidently say that the faculty of Weston
High School would take the risk to bet on you,
too.

Principal Lisa Deorio presented the class

valedictorian and salutatorian, Micah Zirn and
Henry Tracey.
Tracey spoke about seven unnamed individuals who helped him become the salutatorian.
He said he hoped the lessons these people have
taught him resonate as strongly with the rest
of his class. This is the end of us growing up
together, he said. You can always look back
on which people made it possible.
Zirn described the time he had spent volunteering at the Caroline House in Bridgeport,
an organization that helps children from lower
income families learn reading and social skills.
He said while he was nervous about working
with a child he had never met, he was able to
draw upon the friendships and experiences he
has gained at Weston High School to strike up
a meaningful conversation.
My passion for my experiences at Weston
were able to bridge that divide, Zirn said.
Thank you to all the amazing teachers, administrators, parents. You all are the reason that I
can talk with so much passion about Weston.
Brian Babyak played a composition of his
own arrangement on the xylophone before
retiring school counselor Nancy St. Clair
was presented with an honorary diploma for
her commitment to Weston students and her
invaluable guidance through the college application process.
Deorio once again took to the podium to
present the Class of 2015. There arent words
really to articulate how much you have meant
to us, she told the class. You have touched
each single person under this tent in one way
or another.
Deorio then went on to describe some of
her favorite memories of several individual
students, recognizing their contributions to the
school, some which seemed less significant
than others but all that have made an impact on
Deorio. Youve made us laugh at your antics,
made us proud of your academic achievements, she said. And at times our hearts have
ached as you have stumbled.
With one last reminder that there is no
maid service at Weston High (a phrase all
Weston students hear multiple times over the
course of each year), she quoted John Legend:
All of me loves all of you.
The diplomas were presented by Philip
Schaefer, school board chairman, and
Superintendent Colleen Palmer.
Palmer told the class, Your indelible mark
of excellence has set a very high standard for
all of those who will follow you.
After the final diploma was given and the
applause had quieted, Student Government
Co-President Jack Seigenthaler gave his closing remarks. Up here is an extraordinary
group with extraordinary bonds, he said,
gesturing to the new graduates that surrounded
him. I love that I have been so blessed as to
grow up here with these people.

See the full text of all

speeches and more
photos online at
theWestonForum.com

Above, the members of the

class of 2015 applauded each
other as the graduates made
their way to the podium on
Friday, June 12, to received
diplomas and congratulations from School Board
Chairman Phil Schaefer,
Principal Lisa Deorio, and
Superintendent Colleen
Palmer.
At left, friends share their
happiness and excitement
and a great big hug at the end
end of the commencement
exercises.

June 18, 2015 Forum, Weston, Conn. 7A

Julia Rogers greets her grandmother.

Sarah Metchick sang Goodbye during graduation.

Congratulations to the Weston High School class of 2015!

Chris Sadler
Faculty Speaker

The lesson I would like to leave with the class of 2015 is to

take risks. I am talking about calculated risks that will aid
you in your transition into adulthood. Risks that will help
you grow as individuals, cultivate your minds, and inspire
you ... I challenge you to take academic and intellectual
risks ... Take social risks ... [And] four years from now,
when you are sitting in caps and gowns again, wondering
and maybe worrying about what is next, I implore you to
take the risk to bet on yourself. Seize the opportunity to
go for the job of your dreams, pursue your passion, and
find a career that provides you a life overflowing with joy
and fulfillment. You are a group of 165 intelligent, caring,
and creative young people and I can confidently say the
members of the WHS faculty and staff would take the risk
to bet on you, too.

Henry Tracey
Salutatorian

Ryan Garvey celebrates his accomplishment.

The way I see it, this is the end of something huge. The
end of high school for us, certainly but also the end of
a much greater era in our lives. The time that weve spent
living at home, going to the same school its coming to a
close now. This is the end, really, of us growing up together.
And when things like this come to an end, you can always
look back and see who made it possible. For those people,
thank-yous are in order.

Spencer Shaw
Student Speaker

Over the years, you have proven to me that you are a class
that really cares about other people. Whether you believe
that or not, you set up charity events, create clubs that help
and support people, and even go to concerts to support
friends. This grade really does care about each other
and people in general. This is why Im really happy to be
graduating with this class instead of any other.
Graduate Bruna Messeda gets a hug from Principal Lisa
Deorio.
Lisa Deorio
WHS Principal

Class of 2015, I expect greatness, and my one piece of

advice I would like to offer is taken from Joseph Campbell,
the recipient of the gold medal honor in literature. You have
to be willing to let go of the life you planned to have the
life that is waiting for you. Class of 2015, that is my wish
that you take risks and explore new opportunities. You
have made me so very proud.

Micah Zirn
Valedictorian

Its hard to learn anything about someone from a rsum,

but youll understand a lot from the company that
person keeps, the people they surround themselves with
... Differences only keep you apart from others if you let
them; if you feel strongly enough, are fond enough, about
something, be it your friends, parents, childhood, you can
relate with anyone. And even learn from them.

8A Forum, Weston, Conn. June 18, 2015

From left, Isabel Kerr, Allie Steinberg, and Anna Kimberly make their way to the graduatiion tent.

WESTON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Brendan Robert Armbrust
Mulcahey
No information available

Patrick Michael Baber

Dickinson College

Brian Michael Babyak

Bucknell University

Marcl Beaudry
Kings College

llana Beth Berger

SUNY Plattsburgh

Samuel Israel Bieler

Harvard University

Daniel James Bogaev

Marvin Jackson
Student Government Co-President

Our grade is not even 170 kids, which makes it the

smallest class in recent years at Weston, but I think
our small size was a good thing for us. We became a
family, and it didnt matter if youd been here since
Kinderland or just got here this year ... Andy Bernard
once said, I wish there was a way to know that youre
in The Good Old Days before youve actually left them.
Well guys, were in them right now, and we pretty
much nailed the past four of them, and Im confident
that were all going to rock the next four, no matter
where we go. However small we may be, I couldnt be
more proud to say that everyone here has had a huge
impact on my life, our school, and our town.

Bowdoin College

Julian Bombart

University of Tampa

Julia Caroline Branden

Central Conn. State University

Bryn Colette BradshawMack

University of Miami

Alexandra Jane Brostoff

Lehigh University

Edouard M. Buisson

Pennsylvania State University,

Berks College

Adam Harrison Byer

Southern Methodist University

Simeon Okoro and Frank Lugossy display their diplomas.

Zachary Ben Byer

Alexander Ishin*
Washington University, St.
Texas A&M University
Louis
Cole Scott Jonsson
Kristin Collett Caolo*
Miami University, Ohio
Vassar College
Adele Marianna Kaczmarek
Brian Michael Cass
University of Delaware
Michigan State University
Samuel David Kadezabek
Jackson Paul Catalano
Rochester Institute of

Simeon Okoro

Spencer Norman Shaw

Emily Hannah Olin

Nour Dhiaa Shubber

Christian Orr

Jackson Lloyd Siff

Samuel Rohan Panton

Samantha Rose Silverstein

University of Virginia
University of Michigan
University of Washington
No information available

No information available
University of Connecticut
Cornell University
Boston College

Southern Methodist University

Technology

Maren Elizabeth Panzirer*

Haley Ennis Singer

Endicott College

No information available

Adam Loren Parks

Michael Adam Sitver*

Mount Holyoke College

Anna Elizabeth Peterson

Allison Parker Steinberg

University of Connecticut

Christopher William Petty

The George Washington

University

Christine Melissa Peyreigne

Carmine Joseph Cenatiempo Shayla Kelly

Cole Austin Clark

Isabel Rachel Kerr

Emily Claire Clark*

Anna Adams Kimberly*

Julia Wyndham Clark

Kendall Eileen Grace Kirk

College of William and Mary

Providence College

The George Washington

University

Northeastern University
Ithaca College

Eastern Conn. State University

Mercy College

Jolie Renee Stern

University of Rochester

Rebecca Elizabeth Stuart

Lafayette College

Ian Aloysius Stuebe

Pennsylvania State University

Justin Mitchell Summers

Mary Katherine Connors

Russell George Phillips

Addison Claire Kolenik

Lillian Esther Pianin

Alexander Ryan Lee

Taylor Paige Pomerantz

Melissa Rose Lesner*

Gregory Frederic Scott

Portner

Massachusetts College of Art

and Design

Will Charles Corcoran

University of Vermont

Alexander Davidson
Crowell

University of New Hampshire

Celia Margaret Crum*

Yale University

University of South Carolina

Vanderbilt University

The George Washington

University

Jacob Benjamin Liebow

Univeristy of Colorado,
Boulder

Nupur Mohan Daptardar

Eric Nicholas Louison

Schuyler DeBarger
Tulane University

Frank Christopher Lugossy

Jr.

Virginia Tech

Peter Carleton Lummis

University of Notre Dame

Kevin David MacWilliams

University of Connecticut

Danielle Diana DeCanio

Olivia Nicole Donnelly*
Ramazan Dovoljani

Champlain College

Union College

Gettysberg College

Syracuse University

Manhattanville College

University of South Carolina

Georgetown University

Alexander Jake Sydney*

University of Pennsylvania

Megan Lambert Quinn*

Olivia Grace Tartaglia*

Isabella Jane Randazzo

Jessica Anionia Terry

Kayla Jade Ratner

Samantha Lee Tompkins

Boston College

Muhlenberg College

University of Michigan

Miami University, Ohio

No information available

Indiana University,
Bloomington

Dennis Henry Tracey IV *

No information available

Casey Redcay

Gettysburg College

Zachary Harris Regenstein

Elon University
Western Conn. State University Erin Glenn Major*
Cameron Clare Dunlap
Davidson College
No information available
Chloe Elizabeth Mandell*
Trevor Patrick Dyment
Lehigh University
Wentworth Institute of
Caroline Claire Maretz*
Technology
Duke University

University of Wisconsin,
Madison

William Michael Steinharter

Daniel Reed Klein

University of Maine

University of Chicago

Clemson University

Julian Frederick Cohen

No information available

Pennsylvania State University

Dartmouth College

Oberlin College

Syracuse University

Ryan Harrison Trepp

Garrick Timothy Tsui

Cameron Jacques Riach*

Spencer Jacob Turkel

Annie Morgan Richling

Devon Lee Tyler

Yale University

Drexel University

Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute
Uniersity of Delaware
Ithaca College

Jordan Previn Edwards

Cole Darshan Mariyappa

Joshua Daniel Valentine

Sydney Elizabeth Fain

Emanuele Filberto Ridolfi

Rebecca Brynn Marks*

Michael Francis Riley Jr.

Elena Katerina Valteris*

Clarkson University
Fairfield University

Emma Finegan

Skidmore College

Barrett Nicklaus Fitzgerald*

University of Michigan

Ana Ray Flooks*

Massachusetts Institute of
Technology

Matthew James Folger

Southern Methodist University

Washington University, St.
Louis

University of Massachusetts,
Amherst

Jackson Bachne Marvin*

Kristen Elise Rivera*

Jake Stephen Matluck

Luis Reinaldo
Rivera

University of Missouri,
Columbia
Skidmore College

Liam John McCarthy

Belmont University

No information available

Peter Anthony McGlone

No information available

Joseph McGlynn

Carleton College

Bruna Tabajara de Oliveira

Messeder

Clarkson University

Dominic Nelson Freire

No information available

Vanderbilt University

Enrique

No information available

Rachel Eva Roberts

Washington University, St.

Louis

Dickinson College

No information available

Joseph Alee Voight

Curry College

Vincent Joseph Walters

Ithaca College

William Alexander
Watanabe

New York University

Olivia Katherine Watson

Dickinson College

University of Delaware

Julia Laine Rogers*

Julia Brooke Weisman

No information available

Samuel James Rosenthal

Dylan Michael Weiss

Jack Richard Sacane

Alexa Stelling Werner*

Max Lear Messulam

Ariana Catherine Salhi

Blake Samuel Wertlieb

Michigan State University

Sara Elizabeth Metchick

Juliette Ayden Sandak

Brandeis University

Zachary Metviner

University of Michigan

Reed Addison Monges

Michael Bernard SantaMaria

Southern Methodist University

Devyn Hayley Mufson

Elizabeth Caroline Saul

Indiana University at
Bloomington

Bridget Michelle Murphy

Lucas Martin Hazan

Daniel Aaron Savitz

Madison Connolly Murray*

Elliot Cole Hollander

Henry James Scavone

Eric Patrick Nalbandian

Olivia Jane Hollyer*

Jordan Andrew Schaffer

Nina Claudia Nickel

Zoe Chase Howard*

John Brock Seigenthaler*

Brenna Collins ODonnell

Amber Sharkany

Alejandro Guillermo
Gallardo
Peter John Gardell

Ryan Christopher Garvey

Sarah Jane Greisman*
Kathryn Grace Grotto
Megan Rose Grotto

Matthew Scott Gurman

No information available
Southern Methodist University
University of Michigan
Tufts University

University of Arizona
Syracuse University

University of Tampa

University of Connecticut
University of Arizona
Skidmore College

University of Connecticut
Miami University, Ohio
University of Maryland

Pennsylvania State University

Ithaca College

Clemson University
Ithaca College

Georgia Insitute of Technology

Miami University, Ohio

Syracuse University

Florida State University

Colgate University

University of Missouri,
Columbia

University of Colorado,
Boulder

Noah Christopher Winzig

Pennsylvania State University

Justin T. Wrynn

Syracuse University

Austin John Wysota*

Skidmore College

Nathaniel Chase Zettler

Gettysburg College

Michah Joseph Zirn*

Iowa State University

Stanford University

No information available

It occurred to me how much I love this class ... Behind

me is an extraordinary group with an extraordinary
bond. And I love this school. I love this faculty, that
invests in its student body on a very personal level. I
love this community, that supports and nurtures its
schools. And I love that I had the opportunity to spend
my childhood here, as part of this class. I love Weston.
And I truly wouldnt have had things any other way.

North Carolina State

University

Brian Joseph Reilly

Southern Connecticut State

University

Jack Seigenthaler
Student Government Co-President

University of Rhode Island

Benjamin Louis Wittenstein

Mitchell College

Quinnipiac University
Boston College

University of Pittsburgh

University of Pennsylvania

Valedictorian /
Salutatorian
*National Honor Society

Kevin MacWilliams
Class President

Weston High School will always have a place in my

heart and I imagine the same goes for many of my
fellow classmates. I have grown up with all of you. I
have seen how special our grade is, and know that we
have all come to uniquely appreciate each other for
our unifying similarities as well as our diverse myriad
of talents and interests. I have seen us accomplish great
things, and I know we will continue to do great things
in the future, wherever it may lead us.