8:32 p.m.
Valedictorian made a that's what she said joke in her speech.
8:10 p.m.
Teachers are allowed to sit on the fields with their students. At DV, they must get extra tickers from students who might happen to have extras their families aren't using.
Also, more amazing: security guards aren't lining the perimeter of the track. Imagine that.
7:57 p.m.
At Port Jervis graduation. No armed police I've seen. The grads face their friends and family. They played music while everyone was waiting for the procession. The procession is an actual procession, two by two with plenty of time to wave and for friends and family to snap photos. Some elderly folks are seated on the track. Mr. Bell, assistant superintendent and my former middle school principal, just walked off the stage and across the field to say hello. Amazing. What is wrong with what we're doing across the river?
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Friday, June 26
Thursday, June 18
Tuesday, June 16
Exclusive: Class of 2009 graduation program online
View the class of 2009's graduation program in .PDF formatThe program includes a list of the speakers at graduation, the class roll, faculty members, and winners of the proficiency and scholarship awards. The front cover was designed by Katie Yuen and the back cover photograph is by Alex Ardan.
Share it with friends and family who couldn't make the ceremony!
Principal explains armed police officers and metal detector searches at graduation, calls '08 graduates "worst ever"
Some family and friends attending graduation were surprised to see armed police officers seated among the graduates on Saturday.A total of 16 chairs faced inward lining the graduates, each chair with an administrator, faculty member or armed school police officer. Students were also searched with metal detectors prior to entering the stadium. Any student who refused a search was to be removed from the commencement.
Principal Joe Casmus of the 11/12 high school said in a letter to parents that the increased security measures were a result of last year's graduation."Last year's graduation ceremony was an embarrassment," Casmus wrote in the May 20 letter. "The graduates' behavior was the worst ever."
Not offering a word of congratulations to the parents of graduating students once in his letter, Casmus referenced "inflated condoms" as one of the biggest distractions to last year's graduation.
Several security guards also lined the perimeter of the stadium.
RB for DV is waiting for a reply to an e-mail to Casmus to confirm that no students were ejected from graduation.
Update (June 17): RB for DV is also waiting for a reply to an e-mail to business manager Bill Hessling with how many people were working as security on Saturday and how much money security cost the district for the ceremony.
⇒ READ CASMUS' LETTER
View a .PDF of the letter
May 20, 2009(reverse)
To: Parents/Guardians Class of 2009
From: Mr. Joseph Casmus, Principal Grades 11 & 12
Re: Decorum & Expectations at the Graduation Ceremony
Graduation is a formal ceremony that marks the end of high school and the first steps into adulthood. Proper and polite behavior is expected and will be enforced this year. Last year's graduation ceremony was an embarrassment; the graduates' behavior was the worst ever. The class of 2008 continuously interrupted speakers by tossing beach balls and inflated condoms, by yelling, and by sounding air horns. They had bags of noise makers and inflatable items hidden under their graduation gowns.
The following security procedures will be enforced beginning with the class of 2009:
1. prior to entering the stadium each graduate will be searched with metal detectors and required to open their graduation gown to be sure that each graduate is appropriately attired and not concealing any bags (graduates will not be allowed to carry purses or bags into the ceremony). Failure to comply with the search will result in the graduate being immediately ejected from the premises and the graduate's name will not be called during the diploma distribution
2. school police officers will be sitting on the field beside the graduates; any student causing a disruption will be immediately escorted off the field while the ceremony continues; the graduate's name will not be called
3. additional spacing will occur between the rows of graduates so that administrators and police can easily escort culprits out of the ceremony.
The entire graduation ceremony takes about one hour to complete. High school graduates can sit and act in a mature manner for one hour. It is unfortunate that we have to resort to the above measures; however, with the cooperation of the graduates and their parents this will be a ceremony that is both memorable and positive.
GRADUATION FACT SHEET
Seniors with fourteen days of out of school suspension, or fourteen days of unexcused absences, or a combination of days of out of school suspension or unexcused absences numbering 14 may not attend the graduation ceremony.
Graduation is scheduled for Friday evening on June 12,2009 beginning at 7:00pm in the stadium. Graduates should arrive at the stadium by 6:00pm, one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Each graduate will be given five tickets for the stadium; graduation tickets will be distributed to the students after the required, graduation practice on Friday morning June 12. The graduates will be dismissed after the successful completion of the morning practice. probably around 1 0:30am on June 12. The middle schools and grades 9, 10, & 11 will be dismissed at 11:15am. There is no truth to the rumor that the graduates' names will not be called at the graduation ceremony; students who attend the graduation will have their names announced during the ceremony. Rain may change the date of graduation. If it is raining on June 12, 2009 then graduation will be scheduled for 10:00am on Saturday, June 13. If it is still raining Saturday morning, then graduation will take place at 7:00pm on June 13. If the rain continues on June 13, then the graduation ceremony will be Sunday, June 14 at 3:00pm.
Caps and gowns will be distributed on Wednesday (June 10, 2009) during the seventh period. Wednesday (June 10) is a full day of school for all students including the seniors. Any senior (who owes books, equipment, or fees) will not receive a cap and gown, will not receive graduation tickets, and may not participate in the graduation ceremony until those obligations are fulfilled.
The athletic recognition banquet will be held on Tuesday (June 2,2009). The banquet, beginning at 6:00pm in the cafeteria, is only for students and coaches. The awards presentations begin at 7:00pm in the auditorium; parents, family, and friends are invited to the awards presentation.
The outstanding student recognition banquet for clubs, academic activities, the arts, music, vocational clubs, and service groups will be held on Tuesday (June 9, 2009). The banquet, beginning at 6:00pm in the cafeteria, is only for students, coaches, and advisors. The awards presentations begin at 7:00pm in the auditorium; parents, family, and friends are invited to the awards presentation.
Scholarship Night is scheduled for Wednesday (June 10,2009) beginning at 7:30pm in the auditorium. Graduates receiving local scholarships are invited along with their family, relatives, and friends. No tickets are necessary, and all guests are accommodated.
Please contact me or the school counselors, if you have questions about the end of year activities for the graduating class.
Monday, June 15
Class president, Matthew Neumann: "What a long and wondrous journey it has been"
Read the speech by class of 2009 president Matthew Neumann, exclusively on RB for DV.This is a copy of his speech that was handed out to the press on Saturday. Because graduation was a day later and the speakers were allowed to fine tune their speeches, there may be some differences between what appears here and what was read on Saturday.
Parents, administrators, my distinguished colleagues; what a long and wondrous journey it has been. We are about to reach the last homely house, and although this is a time to celebrate the journey completed, we must not underestimate or forget the arduous road which lies before us.⇒ READ MORE
Before us stand many mountains, which must be passed over, for it is cowardly to go around them, and only a fool would try to go beneath. And although we may lose members of our fellowship on the path to the other side, we must continue the fight to do whatever it is we are to do. Although there may be opportunities to pass your responsibilities to others, you must realize that the greatest burdens can only be born by those who are destined to carry them. As you complete your destiny, whatever it may be, there will be times when you feel alone, when you feel as though no one in the world can understand what you are going though and even your best friends are going to betray you. At these times, you must remember that out there somewhere are people who do care about you. These are people who are willing to fight in order to help you in your quest and willing to risk more than you would believe to give you what might be the only chance at success you may have. As we graduate, let us remember that this is not an end, but simply a checkpoint in the long journey of life. Along the road ahead of us lie countless opportunities, many challenges, and ultimately success. Work hard, remain true to yourself, and remember that there are always people willing to aid you in your struggle. I wish you all the best of luck, and I thank you all.
Salutatorian's address by Derek Houseknecht
Read the class of 2009 salutatorian's address by Derek Houseknecht, exclusively on RB for DV.This is a copy of his speech that was handed out to the press on Saturday. Because graduation was a day later and the speakers were allowed to fine tune their speeches, there may be some differences between what appears here and what was read on Saturday.
Through my last four years at Delaware Valley, I have continually witnessed students succeeding. Whether it is winning championships in sports, receiving noteworthy recognition in academics, or performing Broadway caliber plays in drama; our class has attained many remarkable and impressive accomplishments. However, despite these great accomplishments, it has been the little individual successes that I want to accentuate and congratulate. Each and every one of these students that sit before me today has accomplished something valuable in their life, and have thus revealed their ability to work hark, overcome obstacles, and ultimately attain the success they set out for.⇒ READ MORE
Our Class of 2009 is full of students who have already demonstrated this ability to succeed and have the potential to attain a lot more in their future to come. As Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." So I encourage this class, as they graduate and move on from high school, that they always stay determined and courageous. Believe in yourself, and work hard to attain the goals you set out for. Stay focused, stay determined, and do not let the words and actions of others hinder your desire to succeed. You are the one who chooses what to do. You are the one who can accomplish great things. You are the one who can succeed. Even though some failure is inevitable, we must rise above it.
With the talent and potential that you all already possess, in combination with a little self-confidence and determination, you will be able to continue your success in the future. "It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world."
Student Council president, Kathryn Braisted: "Time is the most precious aspect of your life"
Read the speech by class of 2009 Student Council president Kathryn Braisted, exclusively on RB for DV.This is a copy of her speech that was handed out to the press on Saturday. Because graduation was a day later and the speakers were allowed to fine tune their speeches, there may be some differences between what appears here and what was read on Saturday.
Good evening classmates, parents, faculty, administration and school board members. It's nothing short of an honor to stand before all of you this evening, as your Student Council President, a position I've not only whole-heartedly cherished, but also one into which I've put every single free minute and ounce of energy for the last 180 school days in the hope that I'm not the only one who leaves here tonight missing our high school.⇒ READ MORE
Twenty-two years ago to the day, in a speech commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin, one of the United States's greatest Presidents called out a phrase that has resounded through history:
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" While I won't profess to being as eloquent a speaker as Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator himself, I do want to impart a few things upon you, my fellow classmates, so you can remember me for something more than laughing on the morning announcements.
This year, I was unbelievably lucky to have six girls by my side to pick up my slack, to make sure meetings ran smoothly and on time, to plan events, to let me stumble around the school parking lot in a turkey costume, to wake up early to decorate for dances, and, perhaps most embarrassingly, to remind me the night before Semi Formal that I forgot to order the crown and tiara. At this time, I'd like Sergeant at Arms Roxanne Indelicato, treasurer Alyssa Tomaskovic, secretaries Kayla Orben and Allison Pepaj, second vice president Trigit Forgit, and first vice president, my partner in crime and coruler of the school (don't worry Dr. Finan, we'll keep you on as our secretary) Emily Dorko to all stand and be applauded for what you've done for DV. Since our election in the spring of last school year, we officers were told time and time again that our inherent female cattiness would be far more conducive to fighting than getting actual work done. Yet we ended this school year having raised thousands upon thousands of dollars for local charities and having run a number of successful student functions. I couldn't be any prouder of you girls, I can't thank you enough for everything this year.
I'd also like to acknowledge a group of Student Council members who put so much time and effort into this organization that there was absolutely no distinction between them and the real officers. Seniors Nancy Shi, Sarah Wright and Katie Yuen embody a kind of dependability you don't encounter too often, and I always breathed a sigh of relief when any of them volunteered to take on a bigger project or event, since I knew it was in more than capable hands. I also wouldn't be able to accept my diploma without giving a shout out to Nick Torkildsen and Dan Quinlan, who might've been new to Student Council but planned the food for dances like a pro.
Over the past few years, I've developed a label of the hard-working, dedicated girl who's perpetually busy running around or helping with something or sucking up to teachers or taking pictures for the newspaper or knowing absolutely everything there is to know about what goes on here. I spent countless hours before and after school working on Student Council events, took immense pride in beginning the day on the morning announcements, and visited Mr. Casmus's office so often you'd think I was trying to get him to take me to prom. All too often though, I found myself far more familiar with the details of the latest school board meeting or Homecoming dance issue than with the specifics of my Calculus homework or the lives of my best friends, and always felt terrible when people were too worried about bothering me as I rushed through the halls to ask me a question about something they needed.
In accordance with the overachiever persona I just described, I opted this year to take Advanced *Placement Micro and Macro Economics .. along with two other A.P.s, a position as Editor in Chief of the Del.Aware, membership in a number of other clubs, and a newspaper job outside of school. Although I took the class with the intent to learn a handful of life applications, I was perpetually confused and unable to understand Average Total Cost lines or even Real GDP ... meanwhile, Mark Pike sat in the front of the class with his work done minutes early, graciously complimenting my outfits, and Shawn Chen lounged in the back of the room nonchalantly solving world hunger. Economics simply put, though, is nothing more than a study of how to allocate scarce resources to unlimited wants and needs. We studied the scarcity of goods like water and minerals and midway through the course, I realized that I had learned potentially the most important lesson of my life. That more significantly scarce than services or human capital or oil reserves is time. The ticking hand of time is the scarcest resource we have.
That seems like an obvious concept, one that hardly calls for a profound realization or deep, analytical thought, but I can't help but think it's one that should be at least briefly considered. Recognizing that time is the most precious aspect of your life makes more important each lunch your mom packs, each test for which you don't study, each party you hang out at, each lame relationship you cry over, each bizarre snow day you receive because of rain, each morning you wait out front in bus traffic. As we all currently sit on the precipice of uncertain futures and goals and next-steps, there is perhaps nothing more important to do than to maximize completely every minute of your time.
So don't be the girl rushing through the halls. Carpe diem, gather ye rosebuds while ye may, and enjoy rather than complain about the days during which minutes pass as quickly as when you're sitting in Mrs. Masser's chemistry lab. I sincerely wish all of you from Casey Abeson to Tyler McCarthy to Chase Zirnnik and each senior in between the best of luck with all that you do.
So, for the last time ever: this is the conclusion of my graduation speech, have a fantastic life.
Valedictorian's address from Rachel Knuth
Read the class of 2009 valedictorian's address from Rachel Knuth, exclusively on RB for DV.This is a copy of her speech that was handed out to the press on Saturday. Because graduation was a day later and the speakers were allowed to fine tune their speeches, there may be some differences between what appears here and what was read on Saturday.
Welcome, everyone, to the class of 2009 graduation ceremony. Seniors: we made it. The day we thought would never arrive as freshman is fmally here. We've fmished the last assignments, turned in the last books, taken the last of our exams, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the ceremonial burning of our notebooks begins. But this day is more than the close of our thirteen years of school, it's more than the culmination of all of our efforts over the past thirteen years-it's the end of the first stage of our lives.⇒ READ MORE
We're at a pivotal point, and whatever our next step may be, we will succeed. Success, at its core, means only to follow through. It is not one isolated event-it's continuous. Success can be small: the first time you get a perfect score on a test, the first time you earned a lead part in the play, or even the first time you learn to playa new song on your guitar. It can be as big as becoming a business executive, discovering the cure for cancer, or raising a family. There is no failure, as long as you have worked to the best of your ability and completed the task at hand.
I had hoped for a long time that I would have this success, to reach this point, to stand before you today. And now that this moment is fmally here, it's a little surreal. I know that I could not have accomplished it if it were not for the support of my family, friends, and teachers, but especially not without the unfailing support of my parents. They never gave me any impression that I couldn't do anything I wanted to do, or be whomever I wanted to be. I would like to convey that same message to you. Famous British philosopher and writer Mary Wollstonecraft once said that "the beginning is always today," and I encourage all of you to embrace that message. Strive for today, because you can only achieve success by taking your life one day at a time.
Congratulations class of 2009, you earned it.
And the graduation coverage begins...
Check out a short story and some photos of mine from Saturday's graduation at the new PikeCountyPress.com. DV grad unhurt in car accident following graduation
From the new PikeCountyPress.comGregory Harris of Milford, who graduated this morning from Delaware Valley High School, lost control of his car at 4:50 PM this afternoon on the upper section of Foster Hill Road in Milford Township. Harris was headed in the direction of Milford with another unidentified teenager. Neither was hurt when the car rolled after hitting the high shoulder in the area.Read more at PikeCountyPress.com, a new newspaper/news Web site for our area. They have a temporary Web site, so you need to scroll down to find the story about the car accident.
Indications on the scene indicate excessive speed may well have been a factor in this afternoon’s crash. A long skid mark may be seen on the road after an area of disturbed berm on the opposite side of the road.
Saturday, June 13
Class of '09 graduation: Live (sort of) coverage
12:05 p.m.
This just in. They graduated.
9:49 a.m.
At DV graduation. Better late than never.
This just in. They graduated.
9:49 a.m.
At DV graduation. Better late than never.
Friday, June 12
Graduation postponed to tomorrow morning
Graduation, originally scheduled for tonight, will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday instead of this evening, because of a possible isolated thunderstorm.
Graduates must arrive at 8:45. Two years ago, graduation was postponed to Saturday morning. That 2007 graduation took place at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Graduates must arrive at 8:45. Two years ago, graduation was postponed to Saturday morning. That 2007 graduation took place at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Stay tuned for graduation coverage
Coverage of tonight's class of 2009 graduation will include audio podcasts of the commencement speeches. Speeches will be delivered by Kathryn Braisted, student council president; Derek Houseknecht, salutatorian; Rachel Knuth, valedictorian; and Matthew Neumann, class president.
Commencement happens at 7 p.m. in Warrior Stadium. It is a ticketed event.
Commencement happens at 7 p.m. in Warrior Stadium. It is a ticketed event.
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