Granby Memorial High Graduates 189 Students

High school graduations, while important and special rites of passage, generally follow the same recipe.

The speeches tend to follow along the same vein of congratulating those on their accomplishments, while inspiring kids to do even greater things in the future.

Diplomas are handed out, caps are tossed in the air, hugs are exchanged.

To be sure, there was plenty of that for the 189 graduates of Granby Memorial High School’s class of 2012 on Wednesday evening.

But if there was one thing that distinguished the affair - and perhaps best captured the spirit of the graduating seniors - it was Tyler Pollock delivering the student address midway through the ceremony.

Pollock sustained serious injuries - including a traumatic one to his brain - after being struck by a car on May 7, 2011. It was touch and go as to whether he would survive, let alone return home, which he did in August, and graduate from high school with his classmates.

Yet there he was Wednesday, standing before his classmates as well as a crowd comprising families, friends and well-wishers, during which he provided his words of encouragement.

“Everyone here has the potential for greatness,” Pollock said. “Whether or not we reach that potential is a matter of situation, choices and determination.”

Pollock went on to say that a little over a year ago, he was lying in a hospital bed, the outcome of his surgeries in doubt. But with the miracle of modern technology, doctors and friends and family, he was able to share the big day with everyone.

“I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that life is worth fighting for,” Pollock said before offering a quip. “And since I don’t know how the catering is in the afterlife, I feel that it’s safe to stay here for a while.”

He then turned serious.

“The game isn’t over until you either quit or win,” he said.

There were, of course, other speakers who spoke of the class’ collective accomplishments and how the new graduates can live fulfilling lives doing what makes them happy and helping others rather than chasing dollars alone.

Math teacher John Bikowski, the commencement speaker, gave his charges one last homework assignment.

“It is due: never,” Bikowski said. “Work on it forever please, but it will be graded periodically by you using a rubric of your own design. The assignment is for you to truly be a compassionate contributor. ...

"Be careful out there. And by careful, I mean be full of care."

Superintendent of Schools Alan Addley spoke as not just an administrator and an educator, but also as a father of one of the graduates.

“My wish for you as you prepare for the most exciting chapter of your lives is a simple one: simply find happiness in whatever you do,” Addley said. “It is my experience that the happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the most money or the best of everything. Rather, they have a positive attitude about life and just try to make the best of everything.”

Dan Clark was named the valedictorian, while Rebecca Lynn Glucksman was the salutatorian. Others who received scholarly distinction (top 10 percent) were the following: Megan Almagro, Katherine Hallowell Blessis, Tyler Dowling, Sara Eckhardt, Samantha Fairman, David Gottschalk, Cailene Gunn, Lyndsey Kempf, Zachary Konopaske, Mary Kuchenbrod, Charles Pfeifer, Alex Rocheleau, Laura Snyder, Daniel Spatcher, Neve Stearns, Laura Tschiegg and Caroline Wutka.