Class Of 2010 Ready For The Real World

Sunday afternoon's Marblehead High School graduation highlighted the class' creative spirit through music, song and even poetry.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, more than 200 seniors received their diplomas after being sent off with words of wisdom from their peers and role models.

"Continue to develop that critical spirit," said Middle School Principal Elizabeth Moore said, quoting from a letter written to students by Superintendent Dr. Paul Dulac. Dulac is currently out of sick-leave.  "The real world is a place constantly changing but I'm confident you will succeed."

In a touching moment of the graduation, class Vice President Ellery Smith announced the MHS Class of 2010 is gifting the school with two granite benches for the school grounds.

One will be in honor of Allie Castner, a MHS student killed last year after she was struck by a car. The other will be for the late MHS Principal John Ziergiebel.

"Allie Castner's smile lit up a room and brightened the lives of everyone she was around. Mr. Z never went anywhere without a smile," Smith said. "Mr. Z and Allie will be permanent fixtures at this school. The benches will be a physical anchor of all they left behind."

Acting High School Principal Kristina Kyles, during her address, urged the students to be observant of the world around them and reminded this is the time of their lives they can control their destiny.

"This is the time to replace those practice drills and go into the real game," Kyles said. "As a coach talking to her team, I'm telling you: 'you are ready for this.'" 

Class Co-President William Wyman told his class to learn from the movie, "The Graduate." 

"Think before you act, don't let your hormones dictate, stay active and plastics," Wyman said as he was met with laughter. "Protect the environment, think green and live well."

In Salutatorian Maxwell Sherman's address, he reminded students not to be like Shakespeare's  Hamlet. Instead, he urged students to act rather than think all the time and constantly question what they hear.

"Start small; find a problem in your neighborhood and fix it," Sherman said. "I dare you all to not be like Hamlet. Set ambitious goals and take steps to achieve them."

John Dowds read an original work of poetry, sometimes yelling and rolling on the floor to the delight of the crowd.

Valedictorian Christiane Henrich recalled her favorite memories of her time at MHS and urged students to remember laughter is sometimes the best medicine to life's problems.

"Let us learn, create, grow," Henrich said, noting she hopes they all continue to laugh together in the future.