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Windsor High seniors mark 150th graduation

By TORY DENIS
[email protected]
WINDSOR, Vt. — Seniors in the Class of 2018 received their diplomas on Friday, June 8 on MacLeay-Royce Field at Windsor High School. The class marked a milestone as the 150th Windsor High School graduating class.

The graduating class of 41 seniors donned caps and gowns to march outdoors in front of a large crowd of family and friends. Class marshals were Christina Gregory, Ivy Horner-Richardson, Brooke McKeen, and Ryland Richardson. 

Principal Tiffany Cassano, when addressing the graduating class, called them “one of the kindest, most caring classes” she had known at WHS. 

The students have a variety of interests they intend to pursue after graduation. Hannah Fowler said she intends to go to Nashville to study psychology. Tatyana Malikowski said she hopes to find an internship this summer. 

The class received a welcome by Superintendent David Baker, who conjured images of the Wizard of Oz, the class’s school play this year, to remind them of a few basics as they head out into the world.  

“You are not in Kansas anymore,” Baker said. He also wished them the same gifts that the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and Dorothy had bestowed upon them in the well-known story — along with, of course, a diploma. He said the graduates would face the world with both wisdom and courage.

“Nobody could have more care, more compassion, than this class of 2018,” he said. 

Amy McMullen, the school board chair, delivered a message to the students to go out into the world and be kind and courageous to make the changes they want to see. 

She compared 2018 with how the world was 150 years ago — no Epi-pens, and no penicillin, she said, but a U.S. president was impeached. 

She cautioned them to be careful, but to move forward, and “continue the legacy of excellence that is WHS.”

The keynote speaker at this year’s Windsor graduation was Dr. Kim Brink-Johnsen. Brink-Johnson spoke frankly to the graduating class.

“Having studied history and literature, you already know you’re headed out into one messed-up world,” he said. He also reminded the graduates that their “emotional radar is finally attuned,” and that they are going forward knowing the effects of anxiety and social media combined with an accumulation of data, which can make one feel they live under a microscope  — but also, that they are not crazy to feel stressed, are not alone, and already have the “tools to manage the situation.” 

“You do it with love,” he advised. 

He also acknowledged that work is hard, which is why people are paid to give up their time to do it — and suggested the graduates dare to do what they love, and pour their hearts into it. 

During the graduation and before addresses by Salutatorian Vincent Moeykens and Valedictorian Emily McMullen, the Theatre Troupe and Chorus students performed  an arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the graduates, alumni, staff and family and friends in attendance.

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