A Summer’s Night Dream for Bronxville High School's Class of 2011

The bells of Bronxville’s Reformed Church rang out on Saturday evening to begin the graduation ceremony for the 96 seniors who received their diplomas on the front lawn of Bronxville High School and cross the threshold into a new phase of their lives.

The senior girls wore white dresses and carried bouquets of red roses. The senior boys wore white dinner jackets and black pants with black bowties and  red rose boutonnieres to complete the look.  The graduates walked in single file around the school lawn to take their places on the school’s front steps as the Bronxville High School Orchestra, conducted by Denise Lutter, played ‘'Pomp & Circumstance."

John Q. Kelly, father of Brooke Kelly, was chosen on behalf of the graduating class to speak for the parents. He compared the graduates' entrance procession to a red carpet affair from Vogue or GQ magazines and thanked them for putting the one square mile of Bronxville on the map with their intelligence, talents, and accomplishments.  He reminded the students not to forget their support systems in Bronxville but to also embrace the future support systems they would create.

Principal Terrance Barton presented academic awards to seven students in the subjects of English, French, math, Latin, science, social studies, Spanish, and instrumental music.  James Hudson, president of the Bronxville Board of Education, handed the students their diplomas as they crossed the stage.

Graduate Jack Begert, president of the Student Faculty Legislature, gave the first student address.

“Next year when we go off to join the ranks some of the best school’s this nation has to offer, we will all be new. And while it is intimidating, I can assure you that this will be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.  It is about adapting, maturing, and developing into the full versions of ourselves we are meant to be,” Begert said.

He also encouraged his fellow classmates to “take the plunge” and “go for it.”

Next to the podium was senior class president John Gray. He thanked his peers for welcoming him to the school in his sophomore year. Gray also told his classmates to remember their friends and “help them when they need you and lean on them when you feel burdened.”

Assistant Principal Marcellus Lessane called the class of 2011 one of the finest the school has seen.

“This is our 89th graduation ceremony and it may take another 89 years to get another class like this," Lessane said. "They have really set a high precedent for all other classes coming behind them. They are the greatest class in the history of Bronxville. It was exceptional at every phase in academics, sports, and the arts."