By any measure, Oxford High School’s Class of 2013 is an extraordinary group of young men and women.
The 146 seniors who obtained their diplomas Friday night are part of a class that has overachieved both academically — excelling on the AP exams in particular — and athletically — bringing home three state championships this season — all while overcoming tragedy in the loss of a schoolmate.
During his speech, Valedictorian James Badas listed off a handful of extracurricular activities and achievements — drama, band, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders, State Champions — and asked students involved with those groups to stand. By the end of his short list, nearly half the class was standing.
Words of Widsom
“Follow through on your dreams,” First Selectman George Temple told the students. “It’s like a good golf swing… if it goes into the woods, enjoy the walk. But never let anyone step on your dreams.”
“You’re all unique individuals and you all have so much to be proud of,” Board of Education Chairman Paula Guillet said.
“Your whole life is in front of you,” Superintendent Timothy Connellan said. “Every single one of you will have a chance to make a difference in this world, and the difference doesn’t have to be huge… One message tonight for the future: take advatange of all opportunities that become available to you.”
“Everyone of you is amazing and deserve to be told you are,” according to Class President Jacqueline Ortiz. “The character in this class is clearly second to none.”
“You can’t always choose the plot lines of your life’s story,” Salutatorian Samantha Ramsay said in her address. “But you can certainly choose the words in which your story is written.”
“We always forget to thank one person who is immeasurable to our success: ourselves,” Valedictorian James Badas said. “You are a high school graduate in a warm and loving community — take pride in that.”
Find more advice from parents, grandparents, teachers and friends of Class of 2013 grads here.
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