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Class Day & Commencement 2019
Class Day Remarks: Leaving Norwood...
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GIBRIL COLLEY
How you lead your life really does matter, and Norwood does an outstanding job of giving us a head start to the right path. Here are some things that come to mind when contemplating this motto:
Listen. If you want to ever be a leader, you need to be willing to consider other people’s ideas (and plus you may learn a thing or two from someone else).
Try something new. There is a whole world out there for you to seek out and venture. And it is okay if you are nervous; this simply means you are stepping out of your comfort zone.
Have and show gratitude. Gratitude should be practiced every day. We all need to show appreciation for one another. Be different. Don’t worry about what “they” are doing. Everyone is unique in their own way and should take pride in displaying that.
ELENA FORLINI
Norwood’s teachers and staff have challenged us to always do our best, but do so with a supportive nature. Whether it was the long road to writing our research paper or following the careful steps of the Sludge Project, our instructors were always there to help us along the way. They have taught us not only to be well prepared and enthusiastic students, but also to allow ourselves to grow and embrace our growth. This is why Norwood is truly special; they strive for us to succeed not just here and not just in high school but for the rest of our lives.
ZACHARY JAGER
Norwood has also instilled the lessons that are taught each and every month. At the time, it may seem as if each value of the month is just a chapel presentation. However, when you step back from it, you are able to see how these short lessons and values each month create a whole, moral, and just citizen who is ready to go into the world. Along with all of the individual skills, each value is unable to be taught without the other skills. For example, respect is necessary when being compassionate. Since Norwood has provided me with these values and, over time, the skill of being able to tie them together, Norwood’s motto of How You Lead Your Life Matters is truly one of the most important lessons that I will be taking to high school and beyond.
Class Day Awards
EIGHTH GRADE AWARDS
The Ronald B. Goyette Community Service Award
Ailish Learsy Molly McCall Deeya Mistry Helen Primis
The Faculty Prize for Leadership and School Spirit
Nacho Escriba Sophie Wohlstadter Julian Yarborough
The Head of School’s Prize for Academic Excellence
Charlie Burr Derick Denecke Andrew Dupree Daryn Fling Alex Gerson Lucas Holden Zachary Jager Lucie Johnson Molly McCall Alex Pedraza Helen Primis Ben Schirmeier Noore Talib Graham Webber Lauren Williams Julian Yarborough
The following awards were presented at the Middle School Athletic Banquet on May 23, 2019:
Coaches Spirit Award
Deeya Mistry Nacho Escriba
Summit Spirit Award Rohan Bhattacharyya
Athletes of the Year
Lucie Johnson Colin Redmond “In a world where people spend so much time arguing with each other because of our differences, it is also important to remember all of the ways that we are similar as human beings, as fellow citizens of a country, and as people who all have a voice that others
should hear.” -natalie rose, excerpt from class day speech
I hope you will always remember that a diversity of ideas, experiences, and abilities yields the richest and most powerful solutions to complex problems. Remember how much you accomplished collectively over the years, and please continue to support one another wholeheartedly
Good morning, welcome, and Eid Mubarak. I have truly enjoyed working with every graduating class I’ve known here at Norwood, but the class of 2019 will hold a special place in my heart for years to come.
You have experienced a lot together as a grade, and you’ve each learned a great deal as individuals. You’ve also provided valuable lessons for your teachers and me. You have shaped how we will teach, lead, listen to, challenge, support, and guide our future students. Thanks for that.
You are a highly capable, passionate, engaged class—one that will leave a lasting footprint at Norwood. You pull together no matter what the situation is, including a two-hour open-top bus ride in cold, pouring rain last week. How could I even consider ducking inside below decks when you were all so cheerful, literally singing in the rain?
You have strong values and strong opinions. You love to debate, but you also love to join forces to put on a brilliant show, organize to demonstrate your convictions, or strive for a victory together out on the fields. I hope you will always remember that a diversity of ideas, experiences, and abilities yields the richest and most powerful solutions to complex problems. Remember how much you accomplished collectively over the years, and please continue to support one another wholeheartedly in high school and beyond.
About half an hour ago, we shared the last of our morning handshakes—I can’t believe it! I’m not sure you know how much those handshakes have meant to me over the years. I am grateful for that brief opportunity to connect with each and every one of you every morning.
It’s a little di erent every day and with every student. Sometimes, especially on Mondays, you’re not quite awake, so your arm knows what to do, but your hand just sort of hangs there, making for a soft, lumpy, weird sort of handshake. That’s not my favorite. Usually, though, your handshake is ready and firm, I get a little eye contact, often a smile, and a quick “good morning,” or, “good, thanks” when I ask how you’re doing. Some of you even ask how I’m doing, which is lovely, but I’m really OK even when you don’t ask.
First thing in the morning, I’m more focused on how you’re doing, how your day is shaping up, how you’re feeling, how much sleep you got, did your team win last night, did you find your missing science notebook, did you finish that paper, make amends with that friend, or have a discussion with that teacher? Those few seconds with you every morning tell me a lot. I’ve shaken your hand when you were down, when you were worried, when you were in trouble and needed help, when you were anxious, when you were happy and feeling triumphant, and even when you seemed like you were a little angry with me and I couldn’t tell why. I have appreciated every one of those handshakes.
Recently, just a few of you stopped and shook my hand as you stowed your bags on the bus our last morning in New York City. I’m sure you didn’t see that I had to blink back tears, realizing how few handshakes we had left.
As you leave middle school and—in a sense—leave your childhood, I encourage you to remember all those Norwood handshakes, and to continue greeting, and shaking hands with others you meet as you morph into your adult self. Take a few seconds, make sure the handshake is ready and firm. Go for the eye contact. Say hello. Like I have all these years, take advantage of the opportunity to connect and to show respect, trust, and openness toward others, to learn about them, and to be a little vulnerable, so they can learn about you too.
Congratulations to all of you in the Class of 2019. You’ve worked hard and accomplished much on the way to graduation.
Thank you for sharing your authentic selves with us here at Norwood, and thanks in advance for stopping in to visit in the years ahead. They will fly by! Please come often, throughout high school and then college and beyond, so you can update us on your adventures and achievements along the way. I’m sure there will be many.
And when you do come by, just be sure to be ready for a handshake.
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To you graduates, we say thank you for what you have given to Norwood School.
You are a remarkable class. At Norwood, we’ve always said that our students don’t really complete their education until they reach the top of the Middle School and become leaders and role models for the rest of the School. Taking on these roles allows students to give back all they have learned in their years here, and at the same time, make the education they have received truly their own. From the beginning of this year, your commitment to Norwood’s values and traditions—and your own sense of responsibility, purpose, and generosity— have set a standard of leadership that is unparalleled at the School, and all of the students who follow in your footsteps are indebted to you. We are grateful for your gifts.
