VIDEO – The commencement ceremony was live-streamed and a replay can be viewed on the district’s Facebook page.
Although the threat of rain chased the festivities indoors, nothing could dampen the spirits of those who gathered in the Robert C. Munn Gymnasium to celebrate the graduation of the 129 members of the Broadalbin-Perth Class of 2023 on Friday, June 23.
B-P Junior/Senior High School Principal Mark Brooks emceed the ceremony, with Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson and Board of Education President Edward Szumowski handing out diplomas and assistant principals Adam Barnhart and Erica Darling presenting awards. Brooks lauded the class for their perseverance through unprecedented adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted students who had participated in clubs, athletics, the arts, and other programs at B-P, as well as those who had volunteered and worked a job as high school students.
The top three students in the class — Ethan Brott, Tiffany Lin, and Erica Lin — were invited to address their classmates. Brott reminded his fellow graduates that “we all have the capacity to do a lot of good for our community and the world” and challenged them to “do something with your life that you love and enjoy.” Tiffany Lin proudly pulled off a “flawless Rick Roll” by weaving the lyrics of Rick Astley’s hit song “Never Gonna Give You Up” into her advice to her classmates. Erica Lin emphasized the importance of taking chances, risking failure, and overcoming adversity, inviting them to “make failure your friend but not a habit.”
In his remarks, Szumowski challenged the graduates to give of themselves to their community and to always remember their roots. Tomlinson, in what has become a graduation tradition, gave a speech that consisted of yearbook quotes by members of the Class of 2023.
Other highlights of the program included:
- Members of the Broadalbin-Perth band, under the direction of Michael Graves, performed as the graduates processed into Robert C. Munn Gymnasium.
- The Pledge of Allegiance was led by graduates who are enlisting in the U.S. armed forces or ROTC programs: Theresa Fiebka, Timothy Johnston, and Hayden Frisch.
- Graduate Hunter O’Dell performed the National Anthem on his guitar.
- Graduate Lillian Faulkner performed “Morning Glow” from the musical “Pippin.”
- Class co-president Avah Murray announced that the class would be donating a newly renovated senior lounge at the high school.
The post B-P celebrates the Class of 2023 with commencement ceremony appeared first on Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, Broadalbin, NY.