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| Northport Class of 2012 |
The
class motto of Northport’s 2012 graduating seniors was “I don’t know where I’m
going, but I’m on my way,” a quote from American poet Carl Sandburg, and a more
refreshing group of well-spoken young people would be hard to imagine. They
were serious and funny by turn, but their every word was honest. “We didn’t
always love each other every minute,” they admitted, referring to historic
feuds and fights along the path from kindergarten to graduation, “but here we
are.” Still together. Setting off into the world.
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| Salutatorian John Petoskey |
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| Valedictorian Nina Muller |
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| Commencement speaker Steve Wetherbee |
Is
graduation anywhere else like this? A commencement address that includes a banjo? A little “flower girl” (Olivia Craker) giving
out, from a basket on her arm, flowers (white orchids) to all the seniors on the stage? Seniors
producing flowers (white lilies) from under their chairs to take down into the audience and
present to parents and guardians? After diplomas have been handed out, the
slide show (that's what the big screen in the top photo was all about), with pictures of each graduate, from baby photos to senior
portraits?
Every
year I, like many others in the audience, have more grey in my hair and am
further in time from my own graduation. This year’s class was not yet born the first
summer of my bookstore in Northport. The connection I had to the school during
the years I tutored there has weakened, more a feeling in my heart now than an
item on my daily agenda. And yet, Northport graduation never loses its magic
for me. I wonder if these young people know how many people are made happy just
by the sight of them on the sidewalk? They are our future.
So congratulations
to the Class of 2012:
Megan
Elaine Henderson
Austin
Glen Miller
Anina
Lee Punahele Naegeli Müller
John
Minodeé Petoskey
Forrest
Alexander Rogers
Chelsea
Renee Wack
Francis
Mitchell Wanageshik
Best
wishes to you all as you go out into the world. May you work hard, do well and
do good, and may all your dreams come true.
