POMP&CIRCUMSTANCEJOEL BARLOW HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2011 GRADUATION

Grads bid farewell, look aheadby Mike Russo

mrusso@thereddingpilot.com

In a bittersweet ceremony at the William A. OʼNeill Center in Danbury before more than a thousand family and friends on Monday evening, Joel Barlow High School bid farewell to its 2011 graduating class and remembered a student who died in an accident earlier this year.

The 215 members of the graduating class were escorted into the center by bagpipers, which blended into Pomp and Circumstance as the graduates filled the floor surrounded by thunderous cheers for their arrival.

Victoria Cervone, class secretary, greeted the graduating class and opened the ceremony by welcoming Dr. Michael Cicchetti, superin-tendent of the Easton, Redding and Region 9 school districts, Thomas McMorran, head of school, other school administrators and Region 9 Board of Education members.

Victoria said during a brief address that the process and extent of the students ̓ growth throughout their lives has been “remarkable... “Individually and collectively, we have cele-brated our successes and faced our challenges, which has shaped our growth,” she said. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to spend these important years at Barlow, which has prepared us well as we embark on the next chapter of our lives.”

Before presenting the class to Dr. Cicchetti, Mr. McMorran told the graduates and the audi-ence that it is his responsibility to assure regu-lar and proper attendance at school events. He said that before the ceremony, he noticed one member of the class was not present, acknowl-

edging the absence of Robert Smuniewski, 18, of Easton, a very well-liked student by his classmates and faculty at Barlow. Rob was killed in an accident involving an ATV on Jan. 8.

He then asked two students, Robertʼs closest friends, Alexander Schettino and Maximilian Solomon, to stand among the sea of gradu-

ates before calling Robert to attendance three times followed by a bell that tolled with each request.

Following a long pause, Mr. McMorran said he believed Robertʼs spirit “is with us” today.

During Mr. McMorranʼs address to the class, he shared a lesson on “how to live oneʼs life” that he learned from Rob.

“Take a moment to be kind, to smile, to stop and chat, to make sure that you have bright-ened someone elseʼs day,” he said.

Mr. McMorran recalled how Rob “ambled” his way through the hallways, taking time to make reassuring comments to timid freshmen or worried sophomore students.

“Rob was always assuring you all that it would all work out OK,” he said.

Mr. McMorran also “charged” the graduates to thank their parents, family members or those who filled those roles for helping them “get there,” on graduation day.

“Let today be a celebration, full of kindness, photos with genuine smiles and gratitude,” he said. “The rest will take care of itself.”

Following Mr. McMorranʼs address, members of the graduating class dedi-cated a heartfelt a cappella rendition of the Beach Boys ̓ “God Only Knows” to Robʼs memory.

In addition, during the presenta-tion of honorary diplomas, Kiersten Walker and Maximilian Solomon, Robʼs lifelong friends, presented the Smuniewski family, Robʼs parents Camille and John and his sisters Mary and Christine with a framed portrait of the graduating class signed by all of

the students, which was followed by thunder-ous applause.

Anne Kipp, assistant principal at Barlow who is retiring after 33 years at the high school, was honored with an honorary diploma. Also, Joan Parker, principal of Helen Keller Middle

Camille and John Smuniewski accept a photograph of the Class of 2011 that was signed by all members in honor of their classmate, Rob Smuniewski, who died in an accident earlier this year. To Mr. Smuniewski’s right is Rob’s sister Mary (holding the roses), and Chrissy (Robert’s twin sister), an unidentified woman, and students presenting the photo, Kiersten Walker and Alexander Schettino. — Mike Russo photo

Embracing egoby Erica Rigby

There was this one day in early April when I didnʼt just walk across the senior parking lot ... I strode. As I casually entered Barlow, I strut my stuff down the senior hallway and it became evi-dent that, immediately, everybody was entranced. Every comer that I turned, students came flocking toward me to see that I was, for the first time, wear-ing my Tufts University sweatshirt. The hushed whispers were bombarding my ears and giving me a migraine, but understandably, the Barlow populace was just a little stunned. They werenʼt expecting that Iʼd come in having made this monumental decision about going to college. I was now a student at this elite university. Because ya know, Tufts University, by the way, is a breeding ground for the worldʼs future ambas-sadors. Eventually, the chorus of con-gratulatory remarks became a familiar refrain.

I marched on and my adoring audi-ence followed until I entered psychol-

ogy. We were studying life stages, and todayʼs class was all about the ado-lescent phenomenon known as “the spotlight effect.” There ended my self-absorbed euphoria. According to this psychology teacher, you and I are cur-rently in the midst of a phase where we perceive that we are in the spotlight every waking moment. I nearly choked. Does this professor really think that I have an inflated ego? I listened further, but kept a stiff upper lip. He was ram-bling ... saying that there has been sig-nificant research that confirms young people are naive about their homogene-ity within their culture. Apparently, it is common knowledge that until adult-hood we are bound to grossly overes-timate our importance on this Earth. I glared at this guy and then lifted my chin at my peers around me in search of a mutual reaction. How dare he dismiss our potential in the world?

Ugh. So, in other words, this unique-ness is actually a delusion that I suf-fer from. Needless to say, the rest of the day I felt exposed. There was this

strange desire within me to rebel. I mean now that I knew “the spotlight effect” was a staple of my childhood, I thought I ought to accelerate this adolescence and grow up. Instead of waiting a few years to lose the ego, I decided to banish it from that moment on. So long, narcissism! I thought. Farewell, self-absorption. Today, I bid my ego adieu! That was, in essence, how I was going to stifle all my pride. Just be modest. Invisible, even.

Time out. If we step back and shed some light on the present moment, weʼll see that in this grand ol ̓ audito-rium, among over a thousand people, I have been granted the opportunity to address the class of 2011 yet Iʼve already uttered those taboo pronouns “Me,” “Myself,” and “I” an estimated 143 times. Evidently, that resolution that I made to be humble ... was abort-ed.

However, Iʼve come to some conclu-sions over the last few months about

See Grads on page 13A

See Ego on page 13A

Members of the Joel Barlow class of 2011 toss their caps in the air following graduation ceremonies at the O’Neill Center on Monday evening. — Scott Mullin photo

Commencement speaker Erica Rigby addressed the crowd.— Scott Mullin photo

10A Thursday, June 23, 2011

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THE EASTON COURIER, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011 PAGE 13A

by Adam TorresIʼll bet you expect a speech thatʼs preachy and wordy But Iʼm trying a new tactic, that I hope you wonʼt find to be nerdy

I designed this speech to neglect status quo With a piece that I think has a much better flow

But youʼll be the judge and soon we will see So letʼs give it a try and see what will be

Itʼs joyful! Itʼs jolly! Justified for the times! Something fresh! Something fun! Why not something that rhymes!

Today we reflect whatʼs transpired over years The highs, the lows, the excitements, the fears

Remember lessons weʼve learned, our minds feeling drained The tests that we took, on material not retained

From acting, to singing, to playing in the band From running, to hitting, and cheering in the stands

Our novel of high school will write the last chapter Iʼm happy, Iʼm sad, itʼs a bittersweet disaster

Final pages in our book are continuing to turn With emotions and feelings my stomach does churn

We leave seasons of memories: winter, spring, summer and falls We leave teachers and friends, and yes, even salmon-colored walls

Remember Pearlʼs orders to stop running in the halls Or DelAngeloʼs wacky over-the-announcement calls

The Media Center will forever be a reminder When Ms. Goldstein wrote your name in the to-be-kicked-out binder

Looking back on the years, weʼve discovered much on our own From arithmetic to history, boy have we grown

But where does that leave us in the glorious game of life? Having gained the victories and maneuvered through the strife?

Well, weʼve been given the tools to write the sequel to Barlowʼs book So like weʼve been taught, weʼll start with a dynamic hook

Some are off to college, some are off to work Others travel the globe, with a wink and a smirk

I look back on the years digesting all that I learned And look out to the future with little concern

Barlow has taught me well, and Iʼm now ready to go The future is bright if I apply what I know

Iʼm no Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain, Shakespeare or Poe But I do have three things that I want you to know

The first is not magic but does take some guts You canʼt sit around, so get off of your butts!

Stand strong and steadfast, run boldly through thorns! Be courageous, face your fears and take life by the horns!

If you go through life without a bruise or a scrape Your potential will never be allowed to escape

Call for the ball, or step up to the plate Donʼt hesitate to ask that cutie for a date

You wonʼt always win and you surely will sweat But at least you did try, and will have no regret

While I advocate taking risks and daring to break through Donʼt be stupid and do things that youʼd want to undo

This leads to the second point that I wish to tell, Itʼs not complex, but simple, and has served me quite well

Itʼs handy, itʼs helpful, itʼs never misled My little trick is simple ... itʼs called thinking ahead

From little things like putting on sunscreen at the beach To important ones like writing a graduation speech

Forethought is a tool which can yield many a reward Itʼs a weapon mightier than both the pen and the sword

Ignorant people often ready, shoot, then aim And run around after, looking for someone else to blame

Take time to plan, and aim straight and true It will keep you from missing or putting a bullet in your shoe

The unexpected will happen so why should you care? Because, with a good plan you are usually prepared

But every now and again we are hit by surprise And no form of planning can answer the why

Here, I am referring to our fallen comrade The upbeat and popular guy who never was sad!

Would he want us to be feeling down in the dumps on this day? Of course not! Thatʼs something Rob would not say!

There is a quality that we should all take from our good friend As our time with administrators, and amigos, comes to an end

When speaking his mind, Rob would plow straight ahead We should follow his lead and leave nothing left unsaid

This doesnʼt mean saying what simply pops in your head Itʼs not a license to be spiteful or to turn a face red

I tried and I struggled in learning this lesson There are many things good and bad, I desired to mention

“Congratulations! Good work! Hey man, your fly is wide open Not fair. Donʼt do that. May I make a suggestion?”

Itʼs not healthy to hold back feelings or advice Donʼt regret not sharing for the rest of your life

Clear your conscience, promote honesty and improve your self-worth Be constructive, give advice, and improve the whole earth

Itʼs all good, with no bad blood or pointless attacks We all work together and have each otherʼs backs

So, class of 2011, remember the value of risk taking and thinking ahead And keep with you always, Robʼs lesson of nothing left unsaid

On the latter I speak for the class when I add Thanks to you teachers, administrators, and especially our moms and our dads

Now, I should probably wrap up with all these absurd rhymes I hope that I didnʼt take too much of your time

While this experience was not like a fox in a box, or a cat in the hat I hope that my words were heard, lead you to ponder down yonder and possibly even think at the sink

Now, for the ceremony to ensue I must bid you adieu with a bow and a sincere... Thank you!

Something fresh

Jillian R. AhluwaliaCamilla Bente AlbertsenWesley Dalton AldershofCharles David AmblerAbigail Christine AngeloNatalie Anne AstorinoEdmund Thomas AuerAnnabelle Aniela AugustynRyan Matthew BarneySanjit Kumar Basak-SmithClair Marie BelleveauAlexis Nicole BenedettoSteven Joseph BirarelliAlexandros A. BletsasNicholas Van Sant BodineRoss Macklin BoehmeFabrienne Silvana BotteroDelaney Claire BrackenMegan Kathleen BrennanJonathan Parker BrozdowskiMatthew Timothy BruhinGregory Michael BurkeCaroline Josephine CaglioniNathaniel Sheridan CalvertPaul John CamomilliSamuel Elias CanterBritta Anne CarlsonEmily Paige CarpenterVictoria Alice CervoneChristopher William ChealLydia ChenAlexandra Elizabeth

ChurchillTaylor Nicole ClemenzaMacKenzie Rae CohaneSoirette ColladoAndrew John CollinsKiera Lynn ConlonKasey Leeanne CooperEmily Paige DʼAlessandroCassandra Alexis DahmsMeredith Kate DaveyNicolas Alexander DeeCasey Lynne DeLorenzoThomas James DeSimoneNelson Alberto DiazBrandon Eric DominguezEmily Elizabeth DownerErin Eileen DyroffJacqueline Adelaide

EckhardtTaylor Lynn EdenJessica Leigh EhrensAmanda Crystal El-HajSarah Rose EspositoRaymond Michael FaganJonathan Michael Duque-

FerreiraRyan Justin FilbinNathaly FloresSean Patrick FoleyPaul Eugene FryRacael Abigail Wagstaff

FultonKristina Ursula GaffneyStephanie Nadine GambinoMichael GarceauSean Patrick GeaneySonia Marie GiorgioMatthew Harris GoldbergMatthew David GombosHannah Elizabeth GonzalezAllison Rose GorbachNicholas Virgot GranforsPayton Lyndsay GreenSam N. GreenhillPeter Z. GriffinVictoria Alecia GrimesDiana Carson GryszkiewiczKelly Lynn HainesSean Joseph HanczorRobert Barnes HarderPhoebe Jane HartAlex Gerard HayesJeffrey Wallace HeitsmithToby Harold Hesketh-TuttonEdward Patrick HigginsLuke Ashton Patrick HoldenDavid Charles HollingsTimothy Michael HushionHope Lee IaniriDouglas James IndelicatoAdam Ryan JacobsCallie Lucielle JensenFiorella Dominici JohnsonDaniel Dongwoo KangPeter Nichols KatzJessica Laura KhamarjiAllison Rose KieferGarrett Paul KielyMatthew Cameron KippSam Joseph KivellMaria KokenosPatrick MacKenzie KoleszarNicholas H. KominskiTierney Jean KreusslingKathleen KuhselMaria Nicole LambeckJillian Alexandra LeoneAlexander Paul LewsonColin John LiikMadeline Telford LindnerJoseph Eric Lipovich

Harrison Mack LiptonGordon John LoeryLinnea Jane LogieDanielle MacGregorVeronica Ann MagnerJeremiah Christian MahadeoMax Harris MalecLindsay Alessandra Hope

MallozziLauren Nicole MancinelliEvan Michael MarchKevin James MarinoMaxine Elizabeth MarounSebastian Louis MartinezMarshall Douglas MaxwellMichael Patrick McGowanRyan Timothy McGowenClare Louise McLaughlinMolly Erin McQuadeVictoria Elizabeth MirowskiDevon Elizabeth MorganPhoebe Grace MorrisonTimothy Edward MulberryHailey MacKenzie MurphyJacob NaberSamantha Cecilia NeffNatalie Nell NeubertFrancis Egan OʼBrien IIIKathleen Devin OʼBrienJames Wilding OʼRiellyMichael David OrticelliVanessa Irene PaganRobert D. PalazzoZachary Alexander PalmerRebecca Claire PawsonStephen Michael PelosoAlexandra Grace PembertonMaxwell Thomas PendletonDespina PetridisGeorgia Bennett PinterKyana Sue PowersDylan Andrew PreveligeDavid Michael John QuatelaKyle Lawrence RaskinConnor Richard ReganMelanie Mylin ReyesErica Megan RigbyMichael Thomas RodriguezHeather Elizabeth RohdeTimothy Patrick RooneyIan Louis RosamiliaEmily Margaret RossVictoria Rose RudeKelly M. RyanBenjamin Sammartano

Annis Khalil SanieeCasey Tyler SaundersDina Anne ScaloLorna Elizabeth SchenckRachel Helen SchenckAlexander SchettinoBenjamin Jacob SchneckConner Hendrik SchuurmansOlivia Anne SeymourHannah Dylan ShermanZachary Paul ShermanAlex Charles SigelShana Ashley SimsMaximilian Monroe

SolomonAndrew Bogardus SpearsArianna SpinelliKathryn Marie Saint

RaymondMadeleine Paige SteinJustin Martin StenersonBrian Kenneth Richard

SternbergJeremy Marshall StewartTyler David StirlingPaul Lawrence StoneJohn Thomas SullivanSean Boyce SullivanJohn Vincent Tenore

Adam James TorresEmma Rae TraggianeseElizabeth Ann TruscottAdam Philip TwerskyZachary James UptonPeter J. Valenti IVJamie Jolene Van CliefJuliette Monica VigPeter ViscioLuke Augustus Konrad

VogelCourtney Elizabeth von

DwingeloGrace Lily WainrightKiersten Elizabeth WalkerLars Anders Wallin IIIAustin John WardMaegan Lund WardRenee Rhodes WaskoSamuel Ross Campbell

WeberKaitlyn Elizabeth WestHarrison Broach WheelerKimberly Anne WilsonAlison Elizabeth WoodAndrew Samel WytonMegan YehHailey Elizabeth Young

Joel Barlow High School 2011 Graduates

At top, Peter Griffin gives a thumbs-up to graduation while sitting next to Payton Green. Above, Alexandros Bletsas claps for the speaker. At left, Abigail Angelo receives her diploma. Below, Grace Wainright gets a hug from a fellow grad.

— Scott Mullin photos

Commencement speaker Adam Torres read his poem. —Scott Mullin photo

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PAGE 14A THE EASTON COURIER, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011

School who passed away following a battle with illness in November 2010, was recognized with an honor-ary diploma.

During the student speeches, Erica Rigby, who will be attending Tufts University in Boston, Mass., in September, remembers the day she was accepted to the college. Erica said that day, she proudly “strode” with a sense of euphoria across the parking lot wearing her “Tufts University” sweatshirt on her way to her psychol-ogy class.

During the class, the teacherʼs lec-ture that day was on the “spotlight effect phenomenon,” a theory that suggests that adolescents are living in the “spotlight” every waking moment, a theory that prompted an end to her “self-absorbed euphoria,” Erica said.

However, Erica said over the last few months, she has come to conclu-sions on the theory, blaming “Barney” for thinking “we” are so special. She

added her second conclusion was that as graduates, “we are entitled to be full of ourselves.”

“Sand in the hourglass is descend-ing rapidly. If you so desire to con-quer the globe, now is the time,” she said. “With this high school diploma clutched in your hand, do it simply because you think you can.”

Shifting gears, Adam Torres, the second class speaker, who will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall, gave a non-traditional poetic rhyme in his address to his classmates.

“From acting to singing, to playing in the band, From running to hitting and cheering in the stands. Our novel of high school will write the last chapter, Iʼm happy Iʼm sad itʼs a bit-tersweet disaster,” he said.

Dr. Cicchetti, who will be retir-ing on June 30, recognized the top 10%, approximately 20 students, in the graduating class before the dis-tribution of diplomas. He was most impressed with their “dedication and perseverance” in achieving academic excellence, he said.

Dr. Cicchetti told students that as he prepares for his retirement, he was inspired by the book, Things They Carried, by Tim OʼBrien, given to

him by a student, which is a fictional account of an infantry unit in Vietnam and the items they kept. He said as he reflected on the book, he was remind-ed of the graduating students.

“Each one of you will decide what you will carry from the familiarity of Joel Barlow High School into the unfamiliarity of your futures,” he said.

Dr. Cicchetti said he also related his own experience of filling a “back-pack” to a “less familiar” routine after 35 years in public education.

“I am going to pack that book that student gave me to remind me that we can learn so much from each other, especially from the students we teach,” he said.

For students, he said, they might want to pack a proud moment at Barlow or an accomplishment they thought was beyond their reach.

“With those items, pack the self-knowledge of what you did, what it took and how you persisted in that achievement,” he said.

Mr. McMorran said his first day at Barlow was also the first day of this yearʼs graduating class as freshmen.

“Your class was the most loving, warm and supportive to each other, and I hope you take that with you into your future,” he said.

Top 10 students

Jonathan BrozdowskiUniversity of

Chicago

Caroline Caglioni

Cornell University

Daniel KangAmherst College

Allison KieferUniversity of Tulsa

Linnea LogieUniversity of Connecticut

Clare McLaughlin

Bowdoin College

Adam TorresJohns Hopkins

Renee WaskoUniversity of Connecticut

Harrison WheelerColumbia University

Megan YehWashington University at St. Louis

Continued from Page 10A

Grads

“the spotlight effect.” The first conclusion is that if we gradu-ates of Barlow ought to be hand-cuffed for thinking weʼre so spe-cial in our own way, then, well, I think we should blame one thing: Barney. The second conclusion is that if the theory says that we are self-absorbed savages, then doesnʼt that imply that weʼre sur-rounded by grown-ups who are defeated and world-weary? The adults among us are thriving, yes, but theyʼve slipped out of the spotlight and are now ... kinda wallflowers. No confidence, no faith, no stamina! How tragic. So we graduates are destined to be full of ourselves ... you know, perhaps itʼs about time that we embrace it. Actually, my esteemed colleagues, this may be a great advantage to achieving our aspirations.

If this is the peak of our delu-

sion, then letʼs get some world-domination cracking. The sand in the hourglass is descending rapid-ly. If you so desire to conquer the globe, now is the time. Organize a blood drive in town, figure out a way to slow climate change, even earn a Nobel Peace prize. With this high school diploma clutched in your hand, do it, sim-ply because you think you can. You are in the spotlight. Our eyes are fixed on you. That is, I guess, until you grow up a little.

As members of the class of 2011, we may be a bit conceited. But, Iʼd argue that weʼre also hopeful, weʼre dreaming, and we are cockeyed optimists ... which make us the mightiest citizens on the planet. With dignity, and pride, and vanity, and swagger, let us now agree to resist the pas-sage of time. Defy those creep-ing thoughts of bowing down, of inferiority, of resignation. Never, ever forfeit that ego of yours. It will be your faithful back-scratcher in the world after high school. Itʼll hold the spotlight steady. Until we come together again at the high school reunion, good luck.

Continued from Page 10A

Ego

Members of the Class of 2011 sang “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys a cappella in memory of Robert Smuniewski, a member of the class who died in an accident in Easton earlier this year.

Victoria Mirowski, Maria Kokenos and Despina Petridis look at graduation photos on a digital camera.

Nicolas Dee congratulates a fellow grad after getting his diploma.

Joseph Lipovich gets his diploma from Mark Lewis, Region 9 school board chairman.

Scott Mullinphotos

The salutation was delivered by Victoria Cervone, class secretary.

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