Commencement for the 2013 class of Brewster High School featured speakers whose thoughts ranged from clever and witty one-liners to heartfelt and serious reflections.
Here's a collection of quotations from some of the speeches.
Frankie Becerra, student speaker—
"Everyone is weird to someone else, everyone has something that makes them weird. And that doesn't just go for people in our school. Bruno Mars used to be an Elvis impersonator. Now he's catching grenades for girls and performing with Sting at the Grammys. Can you imagine if we had an Elvis impersonator in our school for just one day? He would be the only thing on Instagram for the next 24 hours."
"As long as you're not hurting anyone, or being Amanda Bynes, do what makes you happy. Because when it comes down to it, that's what matters. And don't worry so much about what other people think."
Dr. Joseph Castagnola, principal —
"The future is yours. You will face disappointments, failures, frustrations in life, defeat, competition which may be overwhelming at times, the wrong investment, the house that could have been, or a friend in trouble. These are all part of life, some of which members of the class of 2013 have already experienced and be certain, such problems will be companions again. I can assure you that members of the audience have faced these difficulties and more since their graduation from high school. I bring these to mind because it is the real world."
"I wish for you the courage and self-discipline that will strengthen your own character and, at the same time, better the world you live in ... I wish for you in this day of shifting standards and uncertain values, the conviction and assurance that there are certain things that are right and good, and certain things that are evil and wrong."
Joseph Charbonneau, outgoing vice president of the Brewster Board of Education—
"Perhaps, we were right. Perhaps, we aren't the worst parents ever. Perhaps, just maybe, we had your best interests in mind when we made the decisions that we did. Besides, if we said yes to everything you wanted to do or say over the past 12 years, you wouldn't be a Charbonneau or a Keane of a Gujar, you would be a Kardashian, and nobody needs that act in Brewster."
Samantha Cronin, valedictorian—
"Althought we may not be close with everyone in the seats around us, or we may deny it profusely at the risk of sounding like a cliche, the truth is, we are an extended family. We have our best friends who are more like siblings than classmates. Eccentric second-cousins—twice-removed, classmates who show up when we least expect it, making our day with well-placed punch lines. We even have those teachers we can go to with our concerns, complains, or just to talk—our "cool" aunts and uncles. We all know where we fit in our family, however odd or dysfunctional, and we all know that the people whom we have met and the experiences we have had over these four years have changed us in some way. We've grown up."
"I know that today we will be going forward into those futures and I for one am going forward with joy, with fear, with optimism, and with the love of my family, as are all of you. So if indeed the valedictorian's speech has to impart advice, I say to all of you present today—as you go forward, be passionate about what you do, be compassionate to others, be willing to learn from your mistakes, be willing to make them, and above all, always be able to laugh at yourselves, because others are certainly going to. Good luck."
Sara Morini, salutatorian
"...Now that this part of our education is coming to a close, Brewster is about to take on new meaning for us. Whehter we are moving to another city or staying in Brewster, it becomes our hometown, the place where we went to high school, where our families live and where we go to visit them. It was here that we've discovered who we are, or maybe who we want to be."
Dr. Jane Sandbank, superintendent:
"I want to assure you that what is looming ahead of you will not be so large once you start college and it will indeed all be good, or mostly be good."
"You truly know what is important and have great strength, courage and are good people. That will take you very far."
"...Might I add a few things you might leave room for in your suitcase or big black plastic garbage bag to take with you: Your innate goodness, kindness and care; resilience, persistence and courage; optimism."
--
Add your favorite line, or your favorite moment of the ceremony, in the comments, and don't forget to check out our other posts about commencement:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
