Students urged to 'connect with your community'

It was a glorious evening to graduate. Everything at Gurney Field outside Springfield High School was Cosmo-green, except for the bluebird sky above.

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Celebrating acheivement

The hallways of Springfield High School bustled with a sea of green as Class of 2016 seniors donned their caps and gowns for commencement on Friday, June 10.

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SHS Photo by Len Emery Junior marshals Mariah Steiner and G.J. Fernandez hold their batons high as the Springfield High School class of 2016 files in for commencement Friday. Published June 11, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Students urged to ‘connect with your community’ By SUSAN SMALLHEER SPRINGFIELD — It was a glorious evening to graduate. Everything at Gurney Field outside Springfield High School was Cosmo-green, except for the bluebird sky above. Student and community speakers who addressed the 95 graduates of the Springfield High School class of 2016 Friday praised their accomplishments and prodded the students to never give up their dreams, despite discouragement. Community speaker Stephanie Gibson Thompson, class of 2003 member, leader of Project ACTION and member of the Springfield Select Board, said it was love of her hometown that got her involved. Thompson quoted Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt and Vincent van Gogh, not to mention Dr. Seuss’ Lorax. She said all their messages stressed the importance of human relationships. Technology may be developing quickly, she said. “But come to the kitchen table,” she said, “and talk.” Thompson said when she graduated from high school she wanted to be a journalist. But then her community called, she said, and she got involved in social work and community activism. “Connect with your community,” she said. “Leadership is about caring.” She said she ran for the Springfield Select Board at age 25 because she was unhappy with the direction the town was taking. She became director of Springfield Family Center, and now leads Springfield Prevention Coalition and is volunteer director of Project ACTION. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mackenzie, the class valedictorian, followed many of the same themes. But Mackenzie also made her fellow classmates laugh when she reminded them that while they were in grade school, they had been labeled “the worst class ever.” Not so, said Mackenzie, who will go on to study at the University of New Hampshire. Now the class is full of artists and drama students and strong athletes, as well as a couple of future presidents. Mackenzie had a piece of advice for her fellow students: Thank the people who got you there. “Thank the important people in your life. You raised a great group of kids,” she said. While all the students were dressed in traditional green academic gowns, creativity knew no bounds when it came to mortarboards. One student even put two two-point deer antlers on top of his. Others included messages of joy and accomplishment. And then there was the hat with miniature goal posts, made out of bright green pipe cleaners. The graduates were lauded for their hard work and creativity, and thousands of dollars worth of scholarships and grants were handed out. The students and faculty at Springfield High School thanked retiring teachers and their departing Principal Bob Thibault, who is leaving after seven years leading the high school to return to Leland and Gray Union High School, where he started his career. The faculty paid tribute as well to two longtime teachers who were retiring, Ed Wilkins and Anne Katomski, who taught English and fine arts. 2016-06-11 / Front Page Celebrating acheivement Springfield Class of 2016 moves on to the next challenge By Tory Jones Bonenfant Lizzie MacKenzie gives her valedictory address at the Springfield High School Class of 2016 graduation Friday, June 10. — D.F. DASCENZO Lizzie MacKenzie gives her valedictory address at the Springfield High School Class of 2016 graduation Friday, June 10. — D.F. DASCENZO SPRINGFIELD — The hallways of Springfield High School bustled with a sea of green as Class of 2016 seniors donned their caps and gowns for commencement on Friday, June 10. The 95 graduates walked out to an adjoining field, where friends and family were seated under sunny skies for the 6 p.m. processional. Salutatorian Ian Morvan gave a warm welcome and introduced keynote speaker Stephanie Thompson, a member of the Springfield Selectboard and a 2003 Springfield graduate, who gave encouragement to the graduating class to continue pursuing their goals. Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin also addressed the class. "This is a time to celebrate your achievement, but also your time together," said McLaughlin, who also recalled the group of students growing from kindergarteners figuring out how to share the slide on the playground to working collaboratively on calculus problems. Valedictorian Lizzie MacKenzie gave the student address. School administration presented several scholarships and awards, including a $2,500 Springfield Rotary Club Scholarship to Elizabeth Mackenzie, who plans to attend the University of New Hampshire, and Josh Joy, who plans to attend Husson University; a $2,000 scholarship from the Springfield Garden Club to Hunter Grace, who plans to attend Vermont Technical College; and a $2,000 Young Family Scholarship to Calista Polidor, who plans to attend Fitchburg State University. The following students were awarded a $5,000-per-year scholarship for four years through the Frank M. and Olive F. Gilman Foundation: Alexis Bellows, Air-ees Delorenzo, Brooke Goodwin, Hunter Grace, Samual Grasley, Bryn Hemmings, Samantha Metcalf, Alexa Reichardt, Faith Scott, Joshua Stebbins, Benjamin Tubbs, and Zachary Tubbs. The ceremony also included a tribute to two retiring teachers, Jim Chleback and Rebecca Skrypeck.