Sharon High Class of 2012 Follows Special Water Fight With Tears of Joy

Last Friday, the senior class celebrated its last day of school with a water fight on the high school football field.

Sunday, on that same field, the Class of 2012 shared tears of joy.

More than 270 new graduates received their diplomas Sunday.

"I think that the best way to tell you what I value the most about my classmates is to share with you what happened last week," Class President Samantha Kim said.

"On Friday, during our last day of classes, the seniors planned to execute this year’s senior prank: a massive water fight in the cafeteria courtyard. It was a fitting extension of Senior Assassin-- since everyone already had a water gun-- and we thought it was a great way to finish off our school year. The administration, however, got wind of our plan - but instead of shutting it down and ruining our fun, they moved us out to the football field where everyone in the class could participate. We put that time to good use and proceeded to have a blast getting everyone soaking wet. Even Ms. Trahan and Dr. Libano became part of the afternoon’s festivities, getting just as wet as all of us in the process!

"What I saw during those 60 minutes was that it didn’t matter who you were, or who your target was. The only thing that mattered was dumping a bucketful of water on the person nearest to you and getting them as wet as possible. At any other school, there would have been individuals reluctant to chase after anyone but their closest friends.

"But not here and not us."

Valedictorian Thomas Reid said reflecting on his four years at Sharon High while writing his graduation speech made him "see how fortunate I was to be able to attend Sharon High when I did, and how lucky I was to be a part of a group containing such unique students, especially Liza Evans, who is paying me $20 to weave her name into this speech."

"Although after tonight we will be going our separate ways, I hope that we can all bring what we learned as a class into our future lives," Reid said.

"I cannot say what members of the class of 2012 can do to change the world as individuals, but from what I have witnessed over these past four years, when we stand together and fight for what we believe in, we can accomplish great things."

Honored student Petr Favazza reflected on the question, "Is there a formula for a perfect life?"

"I have seen love prevail, in spite of all of life's problems. I have felt it many times. I know it’s possible. I know it's real," Favazza said.

"I was given up for adoption by parents who couldn't feed or clothe me; and
then adopted by parents who opened their hearts to me. In both instances, I experienced unconditional love. Both of their responses to an imperfect world, made a perfect life for me and my siblings.

"So you see, I have a passion about unconditional love, about the human dignity of all people, about the power each of us has to use whatever we’ve been given, to be life giving to others. My grandfather used to tell me, 'Remember who you are and where you came from.' He wanted me to grow up accepting and understanding people no matter their race, ethnicity, and background. He wanted me to use the values and gifts I had been given and respond in a loving way."

Sharon School Committee Chairman Laura Salomons talked about how one door closing leads to another one opening.

For the graduates, that means leaving Sharon High for other opportunities, she said.

"When a door closes and you feel said, grieve, but don't wallow in grief," Salomons said.

"Process, but don't dwell. Eventually, move on. Look ahead to the door that is open, and do it with energy, confidence and hope."

School Superintendent Timothy Farmer said the Class of 2012 represents "society's hope and promise for the future."

"If you are as successful in whatever you choose to do in your adult life as you have been in high school, our future indeed looks bright," he said.

Farmer reflected on 1980, the year he graduated from high school, and on the 1980s as a whole.

He told the graduates he vividly remembers "the people in my life at that time."

"I remember my parents' unconditional love. And I remember the support and good humor of my friends," Farmer said.

"From school, I also remember each and every teacher I ever had, from Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. And I remember them with fondness, and with a deep sense of appreciation for guiding me through my years of public school."

This year, Sunday, Sharon High Athletic Director Robert Sondheim, who is retiring after 11 years here, gave the faculty address to the graduates. The seniors chose Sondheim to speak, Principal Dr. Jose Libano noted.

Sondheim told the class that "yours are times unprecedented by discovery, and a pace of life unlike any other."

"What is asked of you can be overly demanding, but could also hold the promise of unparalleled hope," Sondheim said.

Sondheim offered a range of advice to the graduates, including "ask questions. Make no assumptions about what others often consider 'sure things.'"

"As the late Robert Kennedy advised, 'Be one who goes beyond asking "Why?", and inquire, "Why not?"', Sondheim said.

Class Vice President Vimbai Moyo, Secretary Bridgit Keefe Wald, Treasurer Vivek Nangia and Historian Varuna Nangia officially presented the class gift: a new Eagles mascot costume, presented earlier in the school year.

Libano noted that he himself wore the costume this year.

"The new mascot uniform was long overdue, and its selection as the class gift is indicative of the pride and spirit your class has demonstrated over the years," he said.

Libano told the graduates that Sunday was "a day that you've all been looking forward to for a long time."

"I'm personally going to have many fond memories of the Class of 2012," he said.

"In fact, I will never forget the epic water gun event that took place out on this field."