Graduates reflect on turbulent year, big farewell

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By Dan King

It was a school year that saw its fair share of ups and downs, and the Whitehall Class of 2015 reflected on its time together and said goodbye last Friday.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner, high school principal Kelly McHugh welcomed everyone and addressed the senior class, saying “I’ve seen you through sorrows and joys, and I love you all.”

McHugh thanked the graduates who’ll enter the U.S. Armed Forces – Garrett Beebe will join the Coast Guard, Zach Eaton the Army, Justin Hoagland the National Guard, Zach Rice the Navy, and Hudson Scott and Alex Wood the Marines. They were met with rousing applause.

Class advisors Ben Reynolds and Topher Montville addressed the audience, focusing on the class that the seniors exhibited throughout some tough times.

“Life has surely thrown some curveballs at you,” said Reynolds. “I’m proud of how you handled it with class. You have proven yourself as leaders.”

“It is a legacy of resistance to the negativity,” added Montville.

Salutatorian Meghan Redmond focused on all the good that this class did for not only the school but the community as a whole.

“The members of this class have been very active in the school and community,” Redmond said. “We have worked hard, worked together and achieved great things. I’m so proud to be a part of this class.”

After Redmond spoke, McHugh recognized the students who participated in the area BOCES program, whether through New Visions or a vocational program. Following that, the Whitehall Band and Whitehall Chorus each performed a musical selection. The band performed “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas and the chorus sang “Time of Our Lives” by Tyrone Wells.

Next, 41 students were awarded scholarships and awards; some, such as Julian Barber, took home as many as nine scholarships.

Two standalone awards were presented. The $340 Dorothy M. Smith was given to Caity Sandford and the $5,000 Mastrovich Award was given to Sean Hart.

Valedictorian Amber Eggleston spoke before the diplomas were handed out and she combined humor with seriousness.

Eggleston opened saying, “I know you’re all wondering how it is that a blond is valedictorian. They say the difference between a smart blond and Bigfoot is that Bigfoot has actually been spotted.”

Although those comments drew some laughter, it was Eggleston’s remarks a few moments later that drew the most attention.

In a sarcastic tone, Eggleston “thanked” former controversial superintendent Liz Legault.

“I’d like to thank Liz Legault, whose Olympic success has been a huge inspiration and we will surely never forget,” Eggleston jested.

Eggleston then compared high school to the line at an amusement park, saying that it is just the wait for the true excitement.

She concluded by quoting rapper Nicki Minaj: “My friends, the night is still young and so are we.”

Board of Education president Virginia Rivette handed diplomas to the students, who then celebrated while taking pictures in the auditorium, out in the hallway and outside the school.