“Turn on the music and roll down the windows!”

– Kassi Stein, Milton High School Class of 2009 Valedictorian

On a beautiful spring day the Milton High School class of 2009 graduated. Here are some highlights from the ceremony.

John Drottar, principal of Milton High School, served as master of ceremonies and in his brief opening remarks acknowledged the tragic loss the 2009 class experienced this year. He called for a moment of silence for Princess Revelus, whom, he said, “we will always remember.”

The Salutatorian, Max Lieberman, began his address on a humorous note. The class had new found liberty and no longer had to endure such injustices as confronting a piece of pizza in the cafeteria that may have wanted him more than he wanted it. But he ended on a note that not only the class of 2009 could appreciate but the entire town when he said, “When I look across this sea of red and white” and wondered aloud, “what ground could be richer than this?”

Kassi Stein, the class Valedictorian, used traveling roads as a metaphor. You are going to hit bumps and potholes. hit a bump and your engine light may come on. Drive over a misplaced manhole cover and it may go off. Who know what life might bring? But in a message that was light-hearted, positive, and sincere, Stein encouraged the class to take on the bumps. “Life will have its bumps,” she said. Her solution:  “Turn on the music and roll down the windows. . . Don’t sweat it.”

Ms. Mary Gormley, Superintendent of the Milton public schools, quoted Winston Churchill in her remarks. “We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us.” Ms. Gormley spoke of the new school buildings and of 4 individuals who had a strong hand in shaping them and directly or indirectly the students who passed through them.

Each of the four individuals exemplified a tenet of Milton’s philosophy of education. They are: community service, lifelong learning, a “do what you love and love what you do” spirit, and integrity. Gormley acknowledged each of these individuals and honored them by dedicating key parts of the school  in their names. The individuals honored are:

Senator Brian Joyce for his community service will have the Pierce Middle School auditorium named after him. It was the senator’s legislative prowess and tireless efforts that paved the way for enabling state support for new schools. Congratulations to Senator Joyce!

The Milton High School Library will be named in honor of Mary Grassa O’Neill, former Superintendent of Milton public schools and current superintendent of Boston Archdiocese schools. Grassa O’Neill, who exemplifies the Milton notion of lifelong learning,  was the “captain of the ship” when Milton embarked on the rebuilding project. She maintained standards of excellence and at the same time managed the logistics required to initiatate this massive effort. To meet the logistical requirements and at the same time maintain a continuity of experience for the students was not a trivial effort. Congratulations and thank you to Ms. O’Neill.

Gormley identified John Riordan as the person who best demonstrated the value of “Do what you love and love what you do.” Mr. Riordan coached track and football, taught PE, and was an unrelenting supporter of student effort.  And he did it for a very long time.  Congratulations Mr. Riordan and thank you.

Lastly, Ms. Gormley cited Charlie Winchester, Chairman of the School Building Committee, who sheparded a vast array of resources to realize the promise of the opportunity that that Senator Joyce afforded the town. The Milton High School Auditorium will be named after Mr. Winchester whom Gormley identified as the standard bearer of “Integrity.” Congratulations Mr. Winchester and thank you.

In closing we would like to relay the following from the Milton High School One Hundred Thirty-Ninth Graduation Exercises Program:

Let us remember in our thoughts and prayers a member of the Class of 2009 who is graduating today with us in spirit – Princess Samantha Revelus. She was connected to us all in many ways; a classmate, a friend, a cherished student and so much more.