Seaholm Class of 2011 Celebrates Graduation

The Seaholm class of 2011 graduated Sunday afternoon to cheers, applause and plenty of stories.

Two hundred and eighty-five seniors crossed the stage at the at . It was an afternoon marked by recognition of student achievement, ardent expressions of Maple pride and acknowledgment of a senior class who has worked to overcome several challenges during the past year.

"We are members of the class of 2011," said senior speaker Anne Stenback. "And much of what we learned about life, we learned together."

School board president Lori Soifer president began by recognizing the work of Seaholm principal Terry Piper, who retires at the end of the year after 13 years as Seaholm's principal and more than three times that in education.

"He is an ardent champion of students," said Soifer. "Today marks the end of a successful year as an educator spanning 41 years."

But Sunday was about the graduates and the parents who were proud of them. Sunday's ceremony wasn't the first for Birmingham superintendent David Larson, but it was his first time as a parent. Larson's oldest son Stirling was among the graduating Maples.

Larson told stories of becoming a father for the first time and snow day pressures, noting while he cherishes his relationship with his son, graduates in 2011 are unlike any that have come before and parents like himself are still trying to untangle their generation.

"You're pragmatic, ambitious ... you're not going to settle for less," he said. "However, while the future is uncertain and sometimes scary, but I know here we have prepared you well."

During the ceremony, Stenback and fellow senior speaker Alexander Singer spoke on their class's achievements and potential for the future.

Two of their classmates — Megan Smith and Brandon Wiseman — were also awarded the Marc Joslyn Award for their achivements inside and outside the classroom. Smith, who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, was the captain of the swimming and water polo team, president of the National Honor Society (NHS) and graduates with a 4.33 grade point average. Wiseman will be studying at the University of Notre Dame in the fall, is a NHS member and captain of the Seaholm soccer team.

Seaholm journalism instructor Ben Harwood left the graduates with advice for the future, but urged graduates to savor the moment.

"I hope you take the time to enjoy the moment today," he said. "Regardless of where you stand, I hope you appreciate where you came from."

Class of 2011 in profile

• Number of students: 285
• President: Megan Smith
• Vice President: Elizabeth Harris
• Treasurer: Julie Woo
• Secretary: Nicole Sarvis

Accomplishments and accolades