By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
SUNAPEE — Sherburne Gymnasium was packed Friday night for the hour-long graduation ceremony, a tribute to Sunapee’s 29 members of the Class of 2018 who received their high school diplomas.
And before the evening ended, many students shared in scholarship money totaling $80,450.
The first applause of the session came when Class President Uzma Malik welcomed the audience to graduation of the Class of 2018. The hand-clapping and cheers never let up.
Malik’s Valedictory speech is printed in full on Page 12 in this week’s issue.
“Most of us have known each other the majority of our lives, playing on the same playground, eating lunch in the same cafeteria and learning in the same classroom. I could continue but I am more excited about the future,” said Salutatorian Aubrey Porter.
“I know every one enough to say they will all do something meaningful in their lives. I hope you all have the courage to go from here to pursue your passions in life,” Porter continued.
“I am so proud of us making it here because this is really only the beginning,”
Malik was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizenship Award, the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award and she was the president of the National Honor Society.
A recipient of the Dartmouth College Book Award, Uzma will attend Smith College in the fall where she will major in biology.
Porter was the recipient of the New London Rotary Club Service Above Self Award and was the vice president of the National honor Society.
A recipient of the St. Michael’s Book Award, Aubrey will attend the University of New Hampshire Honors Program where she will major in psychology.
The third-ranked student in the Class of 2018 is Benjamin van Paassen. Ben has been a United States Eastern Sectional and United States Junior National ISCA qualifier in swimming.
A recipient of the University of Michigan Book Award, Ben will attend Bates College where he will be a member of the collegiate swim team.
The Class History was presented by Kayleigh Bean, Mary Coverdale and Suzanne Rickard. The Sunapee Middle High School Chorus sang “You’ve Got a Friend.” Principal Sean Moynihan presented awards and Jesse Tyler, chairman of the Sunapee School Board, presented diplomas.
Class Marshals were Blaise O’Mara and Alexis Miller; Class Advisors were Nicole Chartier, Jack Iacopino and Alex Klingerman; David Chaves was the accompanist and Dana Pruett is the Music Director.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.