Hats Off to Staples High School's Class of 2013

Four hundred and sixty-three young men and women entered Staples High School Friday for the last time as students and left as alumni ready to take on whatever life throws at them next.

The Class of 2013 graduated on a beautiful summer afternoon Friday. Though the ceremony took place inside of the school's field house, sunshine greeted the graduates once they tossed their caps and led their procession outside.

Here's a collection of quotes from Friday's commencement exercises:

"Find people who inspire you, support you, question you, and encourage you to be your best self. I truly believe those are the kind of people who will bring you happiness, no matter how you define it."

[Translation of Chinese proverb]: "Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I'll understand."

"Our teachers may not all speak Chinese, but they live this philosophy every day."  

- Madeline Seidman, Valedictorian

"I can say today, standing before you, that you are special in that you're leaving Staples with a level of education that is different and better than that of most high schools in America by virtue of the fact that you live here, attended the schools of Westport, and took advantage of all that Staples High School has to offer."

"Your involvement in making your community and other people's lives better through your community service work and clubs, religious institutions, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cool to Be Kind, Builders Beyond Borders, Key Club, Interact Club, and sports teams is now ingrained in you and will be with you wherever you find yourselves living beyond these walls."

"So I look at you today and ask you to accept that you are special in that you have all of the tools required to make a significant change in American society."

- John Dodig, Principal

"Be engaged in the world around you ... where there is so much work to be done. Remember that you can exercise power wherever you may be in society. ... Never forget that it's so easy to matter, to make a difference. It's even easier not to matter, and easier to not make a difference. But if you choose not to try to make a difference, you will fail yourselves and all those who have faith and confidence in you."

"Do good. Do right. Make a difference."

- Dr. Elliot Landon, Superintendent

Click here for a clip from the choir's performance of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."