'Your Book is not yet Written..The Pen is in Your Hand'

Promptly at 6 p.m., Wednesday, 422 Newtown High School seniors filed into their seats at Western Connecticut State University's O'Neill Center in Danbury, greeted by the steady applause of family and friends.

When the crowd had settled, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson began the Class of 2011 commencement ceremony by telling the students they must regard graduation as the beginning of lifetime of “learning, and ethical, thoughtful choices.”

“Your book is not yet written,” she said. “The pen is in your hand.” 

The class salutatorian Brian Reed spoke on the importance of maintaining a positive perception of one's circumstances throughout life.

“In the end,” he said, “our perceptions play the greatest role in determining our successes or failures.”

Reed said he found a recent visit by a veteran to his government class to be a particularly moving experience.

“We must be ceaselessly grateful for all we are given," he said. "In doing so, we can hope for a more just and equitable future.”

Senior class Vice President Alyssa Vetrano recapped the Class of 2011's myriad of accomplishments, which were more than just academic, athletic, and artistic feats, she said.

“An accomplishment is not just something you win for being the best," she said, adding that collectively, the Class of 2011 has performed a total of 30,000 hours of community service, which Vetrano highlighted as the class’s crowning achievement.

“We have all accomplished a lot,” she said, “but the most important thing we have done is positively work together to improve the lives of others.”

After a ceremonial exchange of flags honoring Newtown’s foreign exchange student Issyana Indraswari, valedictorian Drew Robinson spoke, urging his classmates to ignore the prospect of failure when pursuing their goals and dreams.

“In a world where failure is condemned and even ridiculed, do not fear failure,” he said. “Failure helps you realize how strong your passions are.”

Class President Jillian Jagoe reminded the seniors to keep cherished memories of Newtown and friends in their hearts and minds for the rest of their lives.

“May we never overlook the typical Newtown events that we will take with us,” Jagoe said. “We will fret over real world decisions, but deep down, I hope they’re never harder than deciding whether to go to the Ice Cream Shop or the Creamery.”

Student Government President KellyAnne Brophy spoke on the importance of embracing rather than shying from change.

“Like Steinbeck said, 'change comes like a little wind'…We blossom because of a series of moments and events, and now is the time to embrace that change,” she said.

The commencement speaker was Jason Edwards, a history teacher at Newtown High School, though he is perhaps best known as the “Velvet Voice” due to his role as the official announcer at Blue and Gold Stadium.

Edwards said although the graduates were saying goodbye to old friends, new ones await.

“Your friend buffet just becomes more rich and filling,” he said. “Revel in the achievements of your class, and prepare for the greatness that beckons."

Edwards said he has high hopes for the graduates.

“Find that someone, raise that family, live that life, and drop it like its hot while you’re still young,” he said.

Then, on a playful note and as a nod to the year, Edwards bid farewell to “The class that’s number one twice.”

Editor's note: For a slideshow of images from the ceremony, go to

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