Burgettstown holds commencement
By SUMMER WALLACE-MINGER, Staff writerArticle Photos
BURGETTSTOWN, Pa. - It was a sunny, slightly windy afternoon as the Burgettstown High School Class of 2009 celebrated commencement Sunday.
The theme was "today is the tomorrow we dreamed about yesterday."
Nicolette Bendick, class president, gave the welcome. She informed those in attendance that the class was wearing green ribbons to honor deceased classmates Robbie Chase and Tanela Durbin.
"We will remember the moment when we set out on our separate journeys," she said, adding that the class would take many memories, both good and bad, of their high school years with them.
Principal Chris Wolfson spoke about the many challenges and "endless" opportunities that awaited the graduates.
"You are sitting on top of the largest hill on a rollercoaster," he said. "Life can pass you by in an instant if you're not there to enjoy it."
Wolfson said that the graduates had their entire lives in front of them, and he hoped that they would cherish their good memories of their time at the high school.
"You have made me proud to be your principal," he said, adding that the students made the school. "You ride that rollercoaster as many times as you can."
Valedictorian Amberly Karch spoke about the dreams of the graduates' childhoods becoming the reality of their graduation day.
"We never thought we would reach this point, but here it is," she said. "We realize that this dream, our time in high school, has come to an end."
Karch noted that the class would see more milestones in the future.
"Congratulations, Class of 2009," she said. "Our next dream is yet to come."
Salutatorian Jessica Brucker spoke about the disconnect between the graduates' childhood dreams and the reality of their goals.
"We are not the same people we were as when we entered high school four years ago," said Brucker.
The difficulties of the past have become history, and the graduates have new responsibilities. Their futures have the potential to be exciting and rewarding, although they will now be working toward their goals separately, instead of as a group, she said.
"What we dream about, we can now accomplish," she said.
Deborah Jackson, Burgettstown Area Schools superintendent, spoke about what graduates would accomplish during their lives, including being positive and sharing of themselves, noting that each member of the class has been shaped by those around them, including their families and friends.
"We will each be remembered by those dates (birth and death)," she said. "The dash between the dates is the most significant."
Emily Hall gave the invocation, and Nicole Newborn gave the benediction.
The middle/high school chorus, under the direction of Deborah Bicker, performed "The Star Spangled Banner," "The Road Not Taken" and "You'll Always Be a Part of Me." The middle/high school band, under the direction of Heidi Adomshick, performed.
Wolfson presented the class to Michael Krynak, school board president, and the senior class performed the school's "Alma Mater."
(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)
