Emotional Graduation for Dobbs Ferry's Class of 2010

A high school graduation for some can be more about receiving the diploma than listening to the speeches delivered and music played; just as some high schools focus more on earning high grades than reaping the benefits of the learning process. 

Dobbs Ferry High School is not like that, and the class of 2010's graduation ceremony yesterday was anything but average.

"You represent for me the product of a Dobbs Ferry education," Debra Kaplan, District Superintendent, said at the beginning of what would be a powerful speech. "Every year I look at the graduating class and reflect on what we provide for you as an education…You have the knowledge and skills to make this world a better place."

Most striking about the evening, though, was how each speaker in some way addressed the kind, inclusive and community-oriented nature of the class of 2010.

"This is a class of warmhearted people," Salutatorian Evan Rochman said. "Just stay who you are today."

Assembled before a picturesque backdrop of the Hudson River in Waterfront Park, the graduates first received sage advice from classmates Lilian Ulfers, Jaclyn Giuliano and Lisa Tessitore.

"I feel lucky to have grown up in a community in which everyone knows my name," Giuliano said.

Next, Board of Education representative Jeffrey O'Donnell advised students on how to tackle college life, tapping into all five senses.

"Listen in class because you'll only hear things once," he said, and branching out to the less profound of college experiences, warned students not to partake of the 24-hour ice cream bar or experience the odor of unwashed clothes piled in the dorm room for months. 

Twelfth-grade advisor Diana Mancini described the graduates' journey from freshman year, characterizing the class of 2010 as "excited and enthusiastic."

Before Rochman reached the most important message of his speech—the kind nature of his fellow classmates—he opened thanking teachers, administrators and his mom, "who still must atone for forgetting to pick me up on the first day of kindergarten." 

Superintendent Debra Kaplan shared some tough person experiences, expounding on how adversity can be transferred into wisdom.

"Don't define yourself of others by a label," she advised, after recounting the moving story of how her son was able to make his fraternity members accept homosexuality by telling them his father was gay. 

To parents, Kaplan said: "You brought your child into this world with hopes and dreams for them. Today one of those dreams came through."

Valedictorian Jacob Lowy, like Rochman, began his speech on a lighter note, referencing chickens released in the school and a mass pillow-fight. Yet he also transitioned to weightier material, commenting that what he would remember most about senior year was how his class interacted with the school.

"We have a foundation to build upon," he said. "Now is the time to come alive."

The final word was had by Principal Keith Yi. "I want to make a note that I was the one who caught all three chickens with my bare hands," Yi said, laughing.  And later: "You are uniquely well-equipped to deal with stress and adversity." 

But possibly most moving of all was a vocal solo performed by Shontoy Richardson who, overcome with emotion, broke into tears singing R. Kelley's "I Believe I can fly."

And proving the sense of solidarity and community referenced in all the evening's previous speeches, students, administrators and spectators joined in to support Richardson, as the graduates swayed gently as one complete unit.