GREENFIELD — No risk, no reward, no regrets.
To succeed in life typically requires having a good measure of tolerance for uncertainty, willingness to take a few risks, and resilience in the face of failure. At the Stoneleigh-Burnham School Friday morning, those attributes and others were highlighted in the group of 22 girls who crossed the finish line of their academic careers there during the school’s 147th commencement.
“We remained unfazed even when we thought things might end badly,” said Siobhan Pascal of Goodwill, Dominica, the class’s student speaker. She described the risks she and her classmates took — pushing themselves to try out for varsity sports, participate in a new activity or enter debates — and how those decisions led to the success they were celebrating that day.
“Every experience is a learning experience,” she said. “Put yourself out there. Your life is just beginning, therefore, the opportunities are endless. Take them.”
Dr. Denise Bruner, an obesity specialist from Arlington, Va., the class’s elected commencement speaker and a 1970 graduate of the school, echoed Pascal’s call for action in the face of risk and the specter of failure.
“You’ve received a great education that’s given you the confidence to move on to the next phase in your lives,” Bruner told the graduates. “From here, you’ll be confronted with many choices … the challenges of my generation were different, but just as hard as what you’re going to face.”
Some of them will fail as they confront those challenges, she said. That’s inevitable. But those failures can build character and lead to greater successes later on.
“These situations will put you in the water, and suck you under that water,” she continued. “But these are the challenges that give you the strength to come back to the surface and have new life, seek new things.”
The following prizes and awards were given to Franklin County students during the ceremony.
Academic Cup, awarded to the member of the senior class who has maintained the highest academic standing: Claire Lane of Greenfield.
The Spencer Prize, presented to a senior for her academic achievement and commitment to learning: Charlotte Minsky of Greenfield.
The Mabel Hood Emerson Award, presented to the student who has done the most for Stoneleigh-Burnham School in scholarship, loyalty and leadership: Claire Lane of Greenfield.
The Prospect Hill Prize, presented to a senior who exemplifies personal integrity, dignity and service: double award to Katlyn Grover of Bernardston and Sophia Spring of Colrain.
The school’s Franklin County graduates were:
Bernardston: Katlyn Joy Grover
Colrain: Sophia Maria Spring
Greenfield: Claire Lillian Lane, Charlotte Louise Minsky and Clara Elisabeth Swartzentruber
Shelburne Falls: Jordan Emily Alber and Nolka Ann Bates
South Deerfield: Megan Elizabeth Gardner
Whately: Mary Corrine Mason and Harper Watson
You can reach Tom Relihan at: trelihan@recorder.com
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