9:45: We are live at Merrimack High School graduation. Ceremony set to begin in about 15 minutes.
9:54: Grads are lining up to march in, skies are blue with big puffy clouds and a couple more threatening ones behind us. Feeling good about any rain that may come holding off until later.
10 a.m.: There are beach balls under all the grads chairs. Inflated and everything. Never seen beach balls encourage at a grad ceremony before.
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10:08 a.m.: Annnnnnd, here they come.
10:16 a.m.: Time for the National Anthem, by the high school band lead by Mrs. Patricia Cunningham.
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10:18 a.m.: A warm thank you to retiring teachers.
10:22 a.m.: Principal Kenneth Johnson giving speech about making choices and how they affect our lives.
10:24 a.m.: "Life is about making good choices."
10:26 a.m.: Senior Mitchell Cook told Johnson he was joining the military post grad because he wanted to do "something good for our country."
10:28 a.m.: Mention of the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup elicits loud cheers from the crowd. Johnson mentions in reference to seniors who chose to play hockey for MHS and helped lead school to its first ever championship game the same year the Bruins won the Stanley Cup.
10:30 a.m.: Regarding the Science Olympiad team that saw great success this year.: "Thank you Mr. Wheeler for starting this program three years ago. You and your students have changed this school.:
10: 31 a.m.: "All of these kids that sit by my side have made this a better place to learn and to grow."
10:32 a.m.: "These are the kids who will dream the dreams not yet dreamt."
10:34 a.m.: Let your experiences here at Merrimack High School always challenge you to Believe, Go Forward and Inspire.
10:37 a.m.: Salutatorian Shana Garkofsky addressing the students.
10:42 a.m.: Advice: "Turn every disadvantage into an opportunity... there truly is no better way to appreciate life."
10:48 a.m.: Band playing Jupiter from "The Planets." By Gustav Holst.
10:50 a.m.: Class President Michael Murgo speaking.
10:52 a.m.: "We have gone from learning how to color in between the lines to learning how to derive trigononmetric equations."
10:53 a.m.: Quoting and attributing speech, to the delight of the students, to Lady Gaga.
10:56 a.m.: In closing to classmates. "As Lady Gaga would say, 'Today we truly are on the edge of glory.' "
10:58 a.m.: Chamber Choir, led by Kenneth Dugal, performing "I'll Be There."
11 a.m. Valedictorian Kara Jolly welcomed.
11:01 a.m. That was short!
11:02 a.m.: oh psych! She was just kidding.
11:08 a.m. Kara just gave a very poignant valedictory speech.
11:09: Time for diplomas!
11:10 a.m.: First three diplomas go to Kara Jolly, Shayna Garkofsky and Michael Murgo. Way to go guys!
11:30 a.m.: One side down... looks like we're about halfway through the diplomas.
11:43 a.m.: Getting close to the end and no beach balls have been punched into the air. Impressed by the restraint considering they are under all of the graduate's chairs.
11:52 a.m.: We are att the end of the line!!
11:55 a.m.: LET THOSE BEACHBALLS FLY Class of 2011. Congratulations!!
That's the end folks. Off to join the masses and get some photos in the crowd. Check back tomorrow for a story, photos and video.
--Carolyn :)
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