By Rachel Kalina
Following a tumultuous yet celebratory year, almost every speaker at graduation urged students to create positive change in the world, just as they had done in their time at BHS through academics, arts, athletics and community outreach.
Rain forced attendees into the high school gym for the 98th commencement, and many of the 375 graduates were fanning themselves with their name cards to keep cool under their blue gowns.
The year had its highs, with the Baldwin Bruins' football team winning the Nassau County Class B championship, as well as its lows, with the loss of two young students' lives.
When senior class Co-President Danielle Elizabeth Crooks mentioned the bomb threats that plagued the school throughout the year, there was actually laughter from the relatives and friends sitting in the stands. But rather than dwell on lockdowns and bomb threats, presenters focused instead on the achievements of the year rather than the setbacks.
"They were just annoyed at the person who did the threats," said parent Maria Gagliardi. "They wanted to get back to class. There were always challenges, but she overcame them," Gagliardi said of her daughter, Nicole. While Principal Susan Knors said the year could be summed up as "challenging," she said it was met with students' courage. "This class had the courage to reach out and support those in need," Knors said. "Complacency and apathy did not get you here today," she said. "Facing challenges with courage did."
Knors's speech reflected those of Valedictorian Brett Kassof and Salutatorian Eliza Lamin. They mentioned the efforts of seniors who raised money for Darfur refugees, their involvement in the Baldwin community and the concern for tsunami and Hurricane Katrina victims. "It is the way we have responded to these [world] changes that makes this class one of unique excellence," Lamin said.
Kassof said his fellow classmates should spark positive change by addressing world issues. According to Knors, with 96 percent of the senior class graduating, there will be many potential sparks. Around 140 scholarships, amounting to almost $40,000, were awarded to these students.
Like Knors, Superintendent Dr. Robert Britto emphasized moral courage in his speech, telling students to look to the late Rosa Parks as an example. "I am confident that your experiences in Baldwin schools have prepared you to meet new responsibilities successfully," said Britto. "I challenge you to be more than conventional. I challenge you to be exceptional."
Senior class Co-President Santi Wong picked up on Britto's theme, saying that the first female president of the U.S. or the next Nobel Prize-winning chemist could be a 2006 BHS graduate.
Parent Yvonne Brunner agreed with Britto's assessment. "The thing that impressed me most about Baldwin schools in general was the commitment to the children," she said. "I can't give the school - from the principal on down - more praise, because they were phenomenal."
During the ceremony, two diplomas, caps, gowns and bouquets of flowers sat in chairs among the graduates, in honor of Chaneé Brown and Luis Mora, who died during the year. Even those who did not know the teens said they felt the loss. Lamin said in her speech that from these tragedies came a unity among the seniors, in addition to their personal growth.
Knors described students' sensitivity and maturity in their reactions to these losses, and others reflected on the emotional toll their deaths had on students and staff. "Although they are not here physically, their presence is unmistakable," said Crooks in her address. She then asked for a moment of silence.
Board of Education President James Scannell reminded students, "You have a safe harbor here at home. Nothing is as revitalizing as the embrace of a warm and loving family."
The proof was in the attendance. Parents rushed to take pictures of their graduates receiving their diplomas, only to be met with impatient smiles and rolling eyes. Still, many reveled in the moment, such as student Julian Martinez, who said, "Being able to graduate with friends was the most rewarding experience of the year."
