Byline: By danny hakim section: Section B; Column 0; Metropolitan Desk; Pg. 1 Length

URL: http://www.nytimes.com
SUBJECT: EDUCATION SYSTEMS & INSTITUTIONS (90%); SECONDARY SCHOOLS (78%); SPORTS & RECREATION EVENTS (75%); SPORTS & RECREATION FACILITIES & VENUES (70%); ENTREPRENEURSHIP (55%)
PERSON: MICHAEL MCMAHON (65%)
GEOGRAPHIC: CONNECTICUT, USA (90%) UNITED STATES (90%)
LOAD-DATE: June 29, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
GRAPHIC: PHOTO (PHOTOGRAPH BY LAURA PEDRICK)
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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The New York Times
June 29, 2008 Sunday

The New York Times on the Web

Selected Speeches by Valedictorians From Around Connecticut
SECTION: Section ; Column 0; Connecticut Weekly Desk; Pg.
LENGTH: 4167 words
Some of the speeches written by this June's valedictorians from high schools around Connecticut.

School: Brien McMahon High School

Hannah Moulden

Age: 18

Attending: Johns Hopkins University

Principal Koroshetz, faculty members, fellow students, family and friends, welcome.

There are moments in life that seem to defy description. Moments that take your breath away. A moment you thought would never actually arrive. All those feelings fit the bill as I stand before you today, awed by the simple truth that we, the class of 2008, are now part of a very proud tradition as graduates of Brien McMahon High School.

It seems like only yesterday that we entered these doors for the first time, wide eyed and feeling slightly intimidated by the sheer size of this place. Everything was bigger; the lockers, the desks, the bathrooms, and especially the upperclassmen. Pretty overwhelming to say the least. But it didn't take long for us to settle in and realize that everything was going to be OK and that this was a place where we all would grow in so many ways. Not only intellectually, but emotionally and spiritually as well. As I look out today at the faces of my classmates, I see living proof of what an amazing place Brien McMahon is. I see strength, and pride and passion in these faces. I know that we, as a class, are prepared to take on the world and leave our mark on it.

Yes, our years here at McMahon did seem to fly by, however, not so quickly that a thousand different memories weren't permanently etched into our minds. I remember spirit week our freshman year... a kind of initiation for us into the McMahon community. As we proudly smeared red white and blue paint on our faces, we realized we truly were a part of something larger than ourselves. The ''whole'' of McMahon is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Most of us found our niche, our role to play in this daily reality show we called high school. Whether it was singing in the choir, sharing the rewards of hard work and teamwork on the athletic field, participating in an entrepreneurship competition, or just joining the ping pong club, we all found places where we were able to shine. Some of these activities may have been more visible than others, but none were worth more than another individually. Our strength as a class can be found in what we ALL contributed.

That's not to say that these past four years haven't had their ups and downs. I guess this whole high school thing wasn't intended to be easy. I remember having to fit a volleyball game, an SCF meeting, and my never-ending pile of homework into a few short hours. We've all had more than a few days like that. But look how far we've come. What's the expression? What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. We all survived. Our times of stress and angst almost always led to cathartic moments of laughter shared with friends who will be in our hearts forever.

McMahon is a community where students are encouraged to take risks, to develop new skills and talents and express their individuality. These are the traits of great people throughout history who have brought positive change to our world. Now it is our turn.

I feel honored to have been a part of this class. I know that wherever we go, whatever we do, we will all have a special place in our hearts for Brien McMahon High School. As we, the class of 2008, write the next chapters of our lives, we take with us all the memories of this place and most importantly the people with whom we shared them.

As Ida Scott Taylor once said, ''One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.''

Our graduation isn't the end. Really... this is just the beginning. So, let's jump in, because I know we're ready for whatever the world has to offer. Congratulations class of 2008! We made it!

**

School: Danbury High School's

Kimberly Ashayeri

Age: 18

Attending:Yale University

''Change and the Global Community''

Mayor Boughton, Board of Education Chairperson Podhajski, Superintendent Pascarella, Members of the Board of Education, Mrs. Richard, Faculty, Parents, Friends, Members of the Class of 2008:

Today marks a day of transition. My fellow classmates, we have spent years in Danbury High School and whether we loved them, hated them or something in between, we have grown accustomed to the classrooms, cafeteria, and busy hallways. In these past years, we have become part of a living, breathing community, a community to which we say goodbye today. Whether we realize it or not, DHS has become a haven for us- part of our daily lives- and leaving it will be daunting.

Parents, relatives, friends- you have spent countless hours with the members of the class of 2008 and today is the day that you must let go. Yes, today is a day of great transition, a day of change. And change can be, well, scary. So for all of us that sat in the same seat in class every day, ate at the same lunch table every day, and spent every weekend with the same friends- get ready.

But when you prepare yourselves to walk out of this stadium today, remember, change is nothing more than an opportunity. It is the factor that keeps individuals and humankind moving forward. Though we often feel that it is so unwelcome, we have change to thank for so many positives in our lives -- iPods, computers and indoor plumbing. But convenience aside, change is in many ways the most important part of life, as it defines us as people.

As young adults, we have so little experience with change that we may have a hard time knowing how to deal with it. We may look upon change with a certain, natural reluctance. But if we fear change to the point that we do not accept it, we will begin to live narrow, uncurious lives. We must not cease to look beyond what we have now. As we sit here today, we are not as capable and knowledgeable as lawyers, doctors, and CEOs; but, we do have unlimited potential. What we lack in experience, we make up with passion, vision, drive, and open-mindedness.

These qualities will serve us well in the world that we are entering today. Change is currently creating a global society that we will soon join. And it is a society that demands flexibility and forwardness as we face fierce international competition. However, opportunities for new possibilities and careers will arise all around us, if we have an open mind with which to recognize and take advantage of them. Currently, we have DHS graduates working and studying all over the globe, in Danbury, in Connecticut, across the United States and even internationally from Asia to South America. And this is just the beginning.

Members of the class of 2008, though we are forced to leave behind our high school years, there has never been a better time or situation for this change. We have the chance to, and certainly will, become doctors, politicians, and humanitarians that will work with people around the globe. We will become world leaders, teachers, coaches, caretakers, environmentalists, and military personnel; but, we will be distinguished from past generations in that we will do these jobs in the context of global challenges and opportunities.

But none of this, none of this, is attainable without letting go of our high school years and trusting in the changes to come. Now, and for the rest of our lives, we must actively use skills acquired in the past to move forward into the future. Because, simply, the world will not stop for us- so let us move it in the direction we want to go.

This is not to say that there will not be much to miss as we move into this next stage of life. DHS has served as the diverse setting in which we have met our best friends, received wisdom from faculty, and began our journey to adulthood, and we will never be able to return to this phase of our lives. Certainly, we will remember the past and utilize its lessons as we move forward and set our sights on what is to come.

We should take advantage of this day, and use it as a stair in our ascent towards success. Because today is the day that we transition not only from high school students into workers, military personnel, and college students, but into our lives as part of a thriving global community; and, I encourage you, I challenge you, to use the same pioneering spirit that has made America the greatest nation on earth to be agents and examples of change around the world.

**

School: Darien High School

Kimberly Jeanne Carey (Kimmie)

Age: 17

Attending: Dartmouth College

Seize the Moment.

''Right now a moment of time is passing by ... we must become that moment.'' Paul Cezanne's immortal words are quite significant to our ceremony this evening. In a few hours we will say goodbye to the high school where we have received four years of education, and we will happily embrace the freedom and independence that comes with moving forward on our respective paths. But as Cezanne, suggested, in this moment, we must commit ourselves to understanding all that it represents.

We are sitting here at a balancing point in our lives, and in speaking this evening, I hope to instill both excitement and nostalgia. The first thing that this moment represents is change. Right now, caught between the security of our pasts and the unknown of our futures, we are faced with the question of whether or not we are mature enough to accept our transformation.

I'm sure that all of you are thinking that of course you are ready to leave high school, but with this sense of certainty, remind yourselves about the necessity to take some risks. Risks are what make us great. It's the risks that our athletes take which win state championships for teams such as volleyball, lacrosse, swimming and field hockey; risks that our Theatre 308 actors and actresses take on the stage which create astounding performances; scholastic risks that our Neirad writers and ASR scientists take which lead to innovative thinking; and finally, it's risks that we all take which allow us to do something crazy every once in a while. Through our risks, we often make mistakes, but we also find enlightenment. We find the potential that allows us to succeed and we find the power to grow and change.

Mark Twain once said, ''Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.'' In this moment, we may regret some of the things that we did in the past. We've all experienced a moment of weakness or a flaw in judgment, but those mistakes, no matter how devastating they may have seemed at the time or even seem right now, are not the things that truly matter in the end. However, we will forever regret the ''what ifs'', the ''should haves'', the times in which we could have explored something new, but were afraid to try. So why not relieve some future pain now and experience lives of no regrets by never succumbing to our fears, always doing what we love, and striving for the unthinkable.

This moment also underscores the importance of the time at hand. As much as we yearn for the days of the future, we must remember the potency of now. I can recall the events of freshmen year as if they were yesterday -- the booing from the seniors at the assembly, the notorious bomb threat day, the water balloon attack in the cafe, and the excitement that came from prospects of the next four years. Equally fresh in my mind is the past month, filled with cramming in our final senior year projects, lying out on the turf during frees, and always having our nerf guns ready. However, for me, the years in between our first and last experiences in the school have become a blur. I feel as if I've been running a marathon, so desperately seeking the end that I often didn't find the time to enjoy my surroundings. And now that I've crossed the finish line, I wish that I had opened my eyes and paid more attention to the path on which I was running to have fully experienced and appreciated everything that has been offered.

Our time in high school was short but sweet and it seems as if many of us, including me, spent our last few weeks crossing off the days rather than relishing the time we had left. It never dawned on us that we would miss this place, the place where we felt trapped by a slew of restrictions -- from a closed campus to 50-page paper limits and low sugar lunches. But in these final moments, I lament the time that I took for granted. So, as I move forward I know that I will make an effort to slow down every once in a while to embrace the present. And I hope you all will attempt to do the same, for it would be a shame to let our lives flash before our eyes.

The famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau stated, ''The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.'' Although I agree with his conception, I wish to offer you something slightly different. In English class this year, I learned that the worlds of reality and imagination can become one. With some of my classmates, we discovered that rather than concrete and objective, reality may be subjective.

All that this means is that each of us has the power to create our own world vision and for all of us, this is the time to do it. So, as we take risks, overcome our fears, and seize the moment, let's also take it upon ourselves to use our imaginations. From the end of junior year, many of us were able to envision ourselves at the colleges of our dreams and for some, this dream has become reality. For our firefighters and members of Post 53, you might have once imagined yourselves saving lives, and now it is a daily occurrence. And I'm sure all of us, at one point or another, have dreamed of a coveted career such as a high powered executive, a movie star, a professional athlete, or a famous novelist. I encourage everyone to keep dreaming - think abstractly, think with creativity. Let's act on our dreams, and use our imaginations to pass the limits of our perceptions because for those of us who have already experienced the fulfillment of making a distant vision come true, I'm sure we agree, it feels amazing.

Finally, my last thought is something that I think is imperative to the significance of this moment. I want us all to lock in the good times and memories of our friends, our teachers, and our experiences. As we say goodbye, always remember these days. It was here that we began the journey toward the rest of our lives. Think back to when we entered freshmen year, awkwardly walking through the halls of the old building, attempting, but always unable, to avoid getting pressed between upperclassmen in the four-way intersection. We'll soon be caught in a new intersection, this time a little wiser, a little more mature, and a little less awkward, and hopefully we'll have the knowledge of our experiences to make the ride a little less bumpy.

As we slowly remove ourselves from this moment in time, it is important to thank all the people who continually make a difference in our lives. And although this task may sound simple, I believe that it is not so easy. Countless people have shaped each of our lives and so we must thank all the friends, parents, siblings, teachers and coaches who have helped us become the individuals we are today.

I wish to extend special thanks to our graduating class -- you have all made a difference in my life, whether you know it or not. And with thanks comes my sincere congratulations, for we made it through, and although it wasn't easy, it was truly unforgettable.

**

School: Greenwich High School

Olivia White Harding

Age: 17

Attending: Brown University

Ladies and gentlemen, Senior Class of 2008 -- there are so many words that I'd like to give you -- so many quotes. Quotes are a traditionally sound way to start an address of this nature, and when chosen correctly, a quote can be a valuable tool. However, I'd rather not give you a quote, since quotes are a way of using an authority's words to express oneself -- they are explanations and opinions concerning the world taken from another person's mouth. And haven't we been reading quotes for the past four years? We've been learning about the world from others -- our books, our teachers, our parents. We've been given their quotes and their knowledge, and I don't think it is possible to put a price on that gift. Anything I could say today would pale in comparison to the words that have affected us throughout our whole lives. Without the voices that have accompanied us throughout the years we would be lost and unprepared.

Though many of us are going on to learn from the experiences and insights of our predecessors, graduation marks the start of true experience. We've been prepared, learned the theory, and absorbed all that our teachers and parents gave us to ready us for our introduction into the real world. We've gleaned what we could from the masters, and now it is time for us to venture out on our own and lay down our own experiences from which we will gain valuable lessons that we can pass along to those who come after us.

The college application process, I think it's fair to say, is one of those rites of passage. Remember, we are the class that made it through the year of record-breaking numbers of applicants, and (it seems to me) an unprecedented number of trilingual, piano virtuosi, who spent their summers digging wells in Cambodia with UNICEF. It didn't help that when we waited for our results, we had to pick up the morning paper and hear how colleges were rejecting record numbers. But we bit our nails and developed anxiety-related disorders during this intensified waiting game from January through April. And yeah, we hated the people who got in on early decision just a little bit. I think it's only fair to admit that now.

In addition to the college process, there's another challenge that I believe we've overcome, and we've had to face it our whole lives. It is the stereotype of Greenwich: I'm sure you're all familiar with the prejudicial view that the rest of the world has of us- that we're conservative, privileged descendants of the Mayflower. I can't pretend to know all of you, but I've met and befriended many people from our class, and the people that I've met are diverse, multicultural, free-thinking, open-minded and extraordinary. Senior year provided so many opportunities to meet people that I had never come in contact with before, and I cherish all the new friends that I made through programs like SRO and internship. My only regret is that I don't have another year to get to know you all better.

I have every confidence that we are an amazing group of people and that no matter where we go, either off to college or off into the world, we will live lives that will grace us with the authority and wisdom to create our own quotes. For some of us our words will be published in books and memorized by students like ourselves. For some of us, they will be shared only with our closest friends, and for most of us our thoughts won't leave our lips. But we will all learn to see the world in our own way and my wish for all of you is that you find your own voice and learn to express yourself, because behind every form of expression there is passion, and if there's one thing I've learned during all my years at school it's that you'll never really achieve success without passion. And thank you teachers and parents for your extraordinary efforts, as well as your good words, since all the passion in the world would get us nowhere without your guidance.

So now that we are graduates, we needn't quote others, or else our ''thoughts are someone else's opinions, our lives are a mimicry, our passions a quotation.'' Oh ... That was Oscar Wilde. Oh, well, ''Once you have the cap and gown, all you need to do is open your mouth. Whatever nonsense you talk becomes wisdom.'' Wait ... Moliere said that. I hope you will forgive me, for after all, ''The highest result of education is tolerance.'' ... that's Helen Keller, isn't it? Just don't take all these words as truth. ''Explore, dream, discover'' (Mark Twain) for yourself and see if ''the world is a dangerous place,'' or if Einstein was paranoid, see if ''it's a funny old world,'' or if Margaret Thatcher was sarcastic, and see if ''the world is a book,'' or if Saint Augustine was lying.

And, as long as I'm quoting -- none of us are likely to sum up the challenge before us better than James Joyce's manifesto:

Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.

To the class of 2008, I look forward to exchanging words and experiences with you in the future.

''Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.''

... Said Shakespeare. (Thank you)

**

School: Jonathan Law High School

Ryan D'souza

Age: 17

Attending: University of Connecticut

Touchdown.

Dr. Polansky, Mr. Russell, members of the Board of Education, Ms. Garagliano, honored guests, distinguished faculty, family, friends, and fellow students, good evening. We have all finally completed the final and stressful stages of high school -- all the studying during late night, taking exams, filling out college applications, and competing in sports. All the experiences from these four years of difficulty, hard work, happiness, and enjoyment pass through my mind as wonderful memories.

All of our high school experiences have carried us to our graduation, and future experiences will continue to carry us towards future success. Surely, we have made mistakes along the way, like any human being, but, we have all learned from our mistakes. We correct ourselves through these lessons and advance as a result. In fact, mistakes are not really mistakes. According to motivational speaker Cherie Carter-Scott, ''... there are no mistakes, only lessons ...'' Consider an American football game. The home team is down by five points with twenty seconds left. Throughout the whole game, the home team witnesses excellent defense from the opposing team. Despite the turnovers, fumbles, and interceptions, the home team players learn that they need to play quickly and with improved offense so that they can wear down the opposing team's defense. With twenty seconds left on the clock, a home team player realizes even though he lost the ball several times due to turnovers before in the game, he has learned from his mistakes. He has one more opportunity to win the game if he tries his best. Instead of giving up and accepting the loss, he makes use of this opportunity and scores a touchdown, placing his team in a comfortable position of winning the game.

Life is an even easier game. According to actress and philanthropist Mary Pickford, ''If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose...'' We students have always made mistakes, but we are all smart enough to recognize our opportunities to learn. During my sophomore year, one of my friends received horrible grades and constantly complained about the teachers. However, he later told me that he was not managing his time properly, causing him to have less time to study. Thus, he tried his best to manage his time. Eventually, he received exceptional grades for the other marking periods, raising his average final grade by a high margin. This shows how students can seize opportunities, learn from their mistakes, make changes and, eventually, succeed.

Opportunities to learn from mistakes are even present within individual assignments that teachersoffer. In my chemistry class, we had to perform a salt distillation lab. However, one of the groups made errors while carrying out the procedure. Our chemistry teacher explained the mistakes that the group had made, but offered the group another opportunity to perform the experiment. They took advantage of this opportunity, corrected their past errors, and successfully completed the lab.

Similarly, all students of our graduating class have committed such errors in many class assignments. However, whenever there are opportunities, like redoes or extra credit assignments, we have made the most of these opportunities. We correct our errors and produce quality work. By taking advantage of such opportunities, we will continue to learn from our mistakes and then move on to the next level.

Obstacles may impede a person's pathway to a dream, just like the players of an opposing football team may block the pathway of the running player trying to make it to the touchdown line. But, that player's hope and determination push him to the touchdown line. Likewise, by working hard, we, the class of 2008, can turn our mistakes into touchdowns.