'Teacher of the Year' Challenges Portsmouth Graduates to Follow Their Hearts

's 2011 commencement ceremony Friday evening was filled with heart, wholesomeness and a whole lot of umbrellas. 

The 2011 commencement ceremony started with a bang in the high school football field as a man dressed as a "patriot" fired a shot into the air. Overhead, skies began to darken with rain clouds.

The rain held off just long enough for the keynote speaker to give life lessons and challenge the graduates to "make a difference in someone's life."

"Even the smallest act of kindness matters," said Kimberly Cunningham, Infinity Volunteers co-founder, "Teacher of the Year," and keynote speaker at this year's ceremony. 

The 216 graduates, adorned in blue caps and gowns, sat in the football field patiently as Portsmouth's brightest stood at the podium to introduce speakers. Emily Rucando, Class of 2011 secretary, welcomed the guests and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sarah Jane DelSanto sang the national anthem.

Cecelia Girr, class president, told her classmates to "seize every opportunity."

"I challenge you to make your voice heard, seize every opportunity, find the simple things that make you happy, spend time with the people you care about, and take each hit that comes your way with understanding and poise, because with trials and tribulations comes true success," she said.

Audrey Rinkel, vice president of the Class of 2011, introduced the keynote speaker, calling Cunningham "one of the most courageous and giving people I have ever met in my short life."

Cunningham, who traveled with students on a to Ghana earlier this year, was named "" this past September. A mathematics teacher and operator of the non-profit group , she resigned from the Portsmouth School District earlier this year, the second "Teacher in a Year" to step down in the last two years. 

At the commencement ceremony, Cunningham offered the students four steps of advice: "Do something nice for someone every single day," "Do what you love," "Have an open mind" and "Be kind."

Quoting the Dalai Lama, Cunningham said, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

"So I challenge you, make a difference in someone's life every single day," Cunningham said. "...You have no idea the impact your deed could have on a friend, family member, a stranger, or even a foe.

"...so follow your heart, Class of 2011, and everything will fall into place."

As Cunningham concluded her speech, the rain began to fall and umbrellas began to open in the field and bleachers. The graduates, without any umbrellas at hand, sat during the 15-minute rainshower before a patch of blue opened in the sky.

Speakers at Friday's ceremony also included Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi, Spirit of Class and teacher-chosen speaker .

Lusi previously announced she would not renew her with Portsmouth schools, making this graduation ceremony her last to attend as superintendent.

"Do something in life, whether in work or elsewhere, that feeds your passion," Lusi told the graduates.

Ryan reminded his classmates they would, despite growing up in "peaceful" Portsmouth, still face and "overcome" the challenges of today from terrorism to even the end of the world.

"Like all the generations before us, we face what appears to be insurmountable challenges," he said. "The world today presents the challenges of terrorism, climate change, virulent diseases, and even the end of the world, now predicted to be as early as Oct. 21...our class shall overcome."

To read more from Ryan's speech, click here.

Rosa recommended his fellow classmates remember the "community" of Portsmouth in the years to come.

"In 10 years from now, when we have our reunion, it won't matter if we show up driving a Mercedes or Razor scooter...It won't matter how much money we have or haven't earned...

"Who we are is the community we created here at Portsmouth High School."