Editorial Staff.
Graduation for Haddam Killingworth High School is usually held in mid-June, sometimes late June, depending on the number of snow days that we have. This year, it wasn’t snow days that wreaked havoc with the schedule. It was a worldwide pandemic, COVID-19. Schools in our district shut down on March 13, 2020. Governor Lamont issued executive order after executive order (we’re now on the third time through the alphabet on Executive Order #7; for instance, on July 14, 7HHH was issued).
Since the rules were changing by the week, the school wanted to make sure that the seniors were recognized, so on June 15, they had a “Diploma Day” where Seniors wore their caps, gowns, and HK facemasks, and drove through the school parking lot as teachers cheered and music played. As their names were announced, they would exit their cars and walk up to Principal Hayward, who would hand them their diploma and they would turn the tassel on their cap. Project Graduation even got involved, handing gift bags to each graduating Senior.
The in-person graduation ceremony was scheduled for August 14, in hopes that rules would be more relaxed by then, but then it was moved to July 17 due to some colleges opening early. All the rules were followed. Chairs were spaced far apart, temperatures were checked, everyone wore masks, and it was not under a tent to allow even more fresh air than normal.
“The graduation ceremony held at HKHS on the evening of July 17th was a very special occasion,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Holly Hageman. “It felt magical in fact. The evening sky was beautiful, there was an unusual layer of fog on the grass, and twinkling lights adorned the fence around the track. As the administration and faculty led the graduates through the parking lot, where families were situated to watch the ceremony on several large movie screens, parents thanked the staff for making the night happen. It was a beautiful, unifying occasion.”
The procession started with Principal, Donna Hayward, and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Holly Hageman. They were followed by the Board of Education members, then faculty, then the students, with the class advisors bringing up the rear.
The video of the event can be found HERE. The text of the speeches can be found below (we will add Dr. Hageman’s speech when we receive it):
Luke Lamontagne, a member of the class leadership team, began the speeches after a welcome and thank you from Principal Hayward:
“Thank you Ms. Hayward, Dr. Hageman, faculty, distinguished guests, and all of our friends and family for attending the class of 2020’s commencement this evening. We offer a special welcome to members of the Board of Education, and Board Chairperson Suzanne Sack here on stage. On behalf of the Class of 2020 welcome to this year’s commencement ceremony! It comes with great satisfaction to see that we are here today, appropriately closing out four years of hard work and dedication. In a world that is changing so frequently, it is important that we as a class come together to acknowledge the past, make the best out of the present, and take a look ahead at the future.
“Look at the past. Some of us have been in this school district for thirteen years. None of us really remember elementary school, and I know most of us would rather forget middle school, so I’ll just stick to high school. We walked into high school ready for the ‘best four years of our lives,’ but in reality, a lot of our time here was spent writing essays during a single lunch period, or speed-walking all the way from the science wing to the art wing in the five minute passing time. We’ve all had plenty of stressful situations, like all-night study sessions, applying for college, and preparing for SATs.
“But with the partial negatives that came with high school, there had to be partial positives too. Many of us experienced the excitement of a team bus after a huge road win, or being a part of numerous clubs and organizations in our great community. More importantly, we made special connections with teachers as they helped us find our passions. We went out with friends, gathered around a fire, drove to Dunkin’ Donuts (because let’s be honest, what else is there to do in Haddam or Killingworth), and just had some fun. We made friendships that we will keep for a long time.
“Look at the present day. The world is kinda crazy right now. Social distancing and mask-wearing has made just about everything more difficult, but at least we got Tiger King out of it. Virtual learning has taken over the school systems, just like how senioritis took over at just the right time for all of us. And even though we do have to be socially distanced and wear masks, we’re still here today to be given somewhat of a normal graduation. Our faculty and staff have worked very hard to make the absolute best out of what we have, and that is something that should not be forgotten.
“Look at the future. A lot of us are legal adults now, but honestly, I know that on the inside, we’re still eight years old playing Club Penguin. We’re off to bigger and better places. A lot of us are going to college, some to a trade school, some right into the workforce, and some even into the military. While no one can predict the future, I can see great things coming from this class. For now, we look forward to what the world has to offer. In the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, ‘so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.’
“In a world that is changing so much, and despite all of the uncertainty, one thing is for sure: the class of 2020 is truly special. There is a lot to remember, and much more to come. We got to this amazing point in our lives in, well, sub-optimal conditions. So classmates, give yourselves a round of applause.”
Next to the podium was Salutatorian, Zach Houlton:
“I want to start by thanking administration, teachers, parents, and this community for supporting us and getting us to where we are now. I would also like to thank all the janitors, secretaries, and food services who came in when everyone else was home. This pandemic has helped us to see the how much credit these hidden heroes deserve.
“I would now like to address our class.
“I’m not a man of few words but if I were, I would talk about the swamp. It is not easy to live in a swamp because most species that aren’t adapted for a swamp can’t live there. But swamps are beautiful and swamps are important. They act as essential storm buffers, they are among the most biodiverse locations in the world and even though they encompass only 5-8% of the world, they hold 30% of the worlds carbon (and since I’m citing my sources (since there are English teachers here), that stat is from Discovermagazine.com). Swamps are home to some of the most interesting creatures alive, and the boggy corner of the Atlantic seaboard was also home to many runaway slaves, as it acted as a final destination on the Underground Railroad. But this swamp is home to us. HK is built on a swamp, and we are set upon a foundation of permanently saturated land. Look behind you and you’ll see it. We are all toads in this swamp. We contribute to the swamp and the swamp contributes to us. Next year we will hop out into the world. It is not an extraordinary thing, living on a swamp, but we are an extraordinary school.
“But why are we so special? We need to examine what makes something extraordinary.
“It doesn’t take an extraordinary person to do an extraordinary thing. It takes a normal person doing normal things over and over, practice and practice. Excellence doesn’t happen all at once, it’s a habit. If you work a little bit at something every day then you’ll find that the things you think about when you fall asleep are closer to reality than you could possibly imagine.
“Extraordinary things are like a campfire. They require a thorough search for kindling chopping some wood, and then a unique kind of organization so that you can light one match and the whole thing goes up. It’s only the tip of the iceberg that we see, and if you fail to see the process behind building the fire, then you fail to see how extraordinary the it really is.
“Us normal people like to look at the most elite and the most successful and we say, ‘I wasn’t born like them—I’m not special like that.’ I can’t win Olympic gold. I can’t be a three time NBA champion. I can’t write music and I can’t make world peace.
“But the thing is: Micheal Phelps was not born special. LeBron James was not born special. Elton John and Ghandi were not born special. They work at their craft every day, day after day. It is a secession of normal things that make their work so extraordinary. Especially with everything going on in the world, it is important to remember that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
“Sometimes I get stuck thinking mathematically; that you can’t beat the odds.
“But the probability that this specific order of DNA would line up to make you is one in a trillion.
“We, as humans, are an extraordinary being even though we are made of a combination of ordinary things like atoms and molecules.
“Ms. Hayward says that every grade is particularly special (trust me, I was at graduation last year), but this year when she says it: it’s definitely true.
“In the last four years we have learned a lot. We wrote stories in English and we wrote historical argumentative essays in history. But next year we will write literary criticisms, news articles, laws, books. We will write music and poetry and we will write the narrative of our own lives.
“When we arrived here freshman year we had nothing but a pencil a few folders and a dream. But now that we are leaving here we have gone through boxes and boxes of pencils, torn folders, and we have the new useless abilities to calculate the derivative of 3x or to know which of the following is most soluble in water.
“When we arrived here freshman year we had nothing but a pencil a few folders and a dream. But now we have a new sense of who we are, and who we want to be. We know that even though we are built on a swamp, we are still as strong and unique as the creatures who live here; as important as a storm buffer; and as welcoming as an Underground Railroad destination.
“When we arrived here freshman year we had nothing but a pencil a few folders and a dream. But now we can take a little bit of ordinary and make something extraordinary.
“Thank you.”
Principal Hayward then introduced this year’s Valedictorian, Arjun Badami:
“Good evening parents, teachers, distinguished faculty and guests, and, most of all, my fellow graduates of the Class of 2020. It’s great to see you all here. In the words of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘Hello there.’
“Although this year has certainly been anything but normal, I am extremely glad that we are able to meet one last time before we go off into world and take the next step down the path of life. Tonight, is our night. Every single member of this class should be proud of their accomplishments Despite how difficult high school can sometimes be, we have successfully completed this rite of passage, and that is definitely worth celebrating.
“When I was told that I would have the honor of speaking at graduation, I was unsure of what the right thing to talk about was. In every speech that I watched for inspiration, the speaker would give the class some life advice, but I had a hard time deciding which, of the many important pieces of life advice, I wanted to pick. I was also unsure how best to write this speech. I did briefly consider writing and performing a valedictorian rap, but after remembering some words of wisdom from Mr. Webb, I decided that that probably wasn’t the best idea.
“In the end, I decided that I should talk about something that was relatable, relevant, and universally important, no matter where you are or what you are doing. And that is why I decided to talk about acceptance.
“Acceptance is not always the easiest thing, especially in the modern world, but it is one of the most essential things for all of us to have. In my opinion, there are two parts to acceptance. They might seem like opposing ideas, and yet, when one finds a balance between the two, one prospers. While I am talking about these two parts, I want you to keep this statement in mind: ‘we are all unique humans.’ I’ll say that again: ‘we are all unique humans.’ Remember that statement, and not just for this evening, but always.
“So, acceptance. Well, the first part of acceptance is accepting yourself. Accepting the individual traits that make you different from others, the quirks that others might find weird, but which are integral to your interests and identity, and the goals that you have set for yourself. Sometimes this is harder than we would like it to be. Though we live in a world where such individualism is easier than ever before, we are still surrounded by immense pressures to conform. Now, you might roll your eyes and say that I’m just another young man having beef with conventions, but to that I say, I’m vegetarian. I can’t have beef with anything.
“But in all seriousness, every single one of us is, on a regular basis, bombarded with ideas about what we can and can’t do, or be. Here are just a few examples. People will tell you not to do what you love for a living because you won’t make a lot of money from it. They’ll tell you that you have to act or dress a certain way or people will brand you as weird and not talk to you. They’ll tell you that you shouldn’t have a certain interest because it’s useless, impractical, or stupid. They’ll tell you that you have to conform to other people’s expectations to be accepted by society. They’ll tell you not to have certain dreams or aspirations because of your race, or your sex. In short, they’ll tell you to not be yourself.
“And to all of that, I say this: you only live once. You shouldn’t waste your life trying to please everyone or trying to stick to some status quo. You should spend it being yourself and doing what you love. Remember that statement I told you keep in mind? ‘We are all unique humans.’ Let’s take a closer look at the first part of that statement: ‘We are all unique.’ Every single one of us, no matter to what groups we belong, is an individual, with a unique personality. And honestly, the world is more exciting because of it. You want proof? Look no further than our class. Each member of this class is different. We all have different interests, different hobbies, different perspectives, different likes and dislikes. Knowing that I can learn something new from every single one of you makes being a part of this class all the more exciting. And when you head out into the world, you will feel that same excitement, but on a much larger scale. If the coronavirus has shown us one thing, it is that the world doesn’t need for us to rely on old ideas. It needs us to use our individual imaginations and talents to create new ideas, and new solutions. Embracing our individuality is how we will move forward.
“The second part of acceptance is to accept others. Now, let’s look at the second part of that statement: ‘We are all unique humans.’ ‘We are all human.’ No matter how we look, how we dress, how we speak, or how we view and understand the world, we all share that one overarching trait, as does every person we will encounter in life. Now, you might be sitting there saying, ‘well obviously.’ But all of us being human is not just about our biology. It’s part of the human experience. Once again, look no further for proof than our class. Even though every single one of us is unique, there are still things that we all have in common. We all understand the power that smile, a compliment, or a joke, has to brighten our days. We all understand basic human emotion, such as happiness or sadness. We all know the feelings that come with success or failure, the importance of working hard, of being comfortable in our surroundings. We all understand the innate desire to have fun, to unwind and relax, and trust me, we certainly all understand what not having enough sleep feels like. And even though we don’t always see things the same way, we can still use those basic elements of our humanity to connect with each other. The fact that we all can simultaneously be individuals and accepted group members, ‘unique humans’, as it were, is a beautiful, wonderful thing.
“If those elements which I described sounded super obvious, well, I guess that’s the point. Because more often than not we place too much emphasis on the things that divide and isolate us, and in doing so, we forget the simple things which unite us all, and in doing so, lose the strength that unity provides. Once again, as you venture off into the world, you will find that those most basic elements of humanity will let you connect with anyone, no matter how different they are. Yet another thing that the coronavirus has shown us is that the world does not need for us to be divided and fighting each other. That only perpetuates problems and delays the finding of solutions. It needs us to be united, to look out for and be there for one another, to learn from each other, to combine our individual talents and ideas to build a better future for us all.
“Class of 2020, I’d like to leave you with a final vision, a vision of the world. Now, I’ve never been much of an artist (sorry Mr. Canaan), but I do know that the world is not a blank canvas. Rather, it is a mosaic. It’s made up of approximately 7 billion pieces of glass, and counting. Each piece of glass shares with the others the common traits of glass, and yet at the same time, each piece of glass is also unique: a different size, a different shape, a different color. You could say that they are all unique pieces of glass. Together they support one another, forming a larger, beautiful work of art, with each individual piece contributing to the masterpiece. They are all interconnected, and when even one piece falls off, no matter which piece it is, the hole that they leave behind is clearly visible, and clearly felt. My fellow graduates, we are the leaders of tomorrow. It will be our job to protect this vision, to let grow. It will not always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. With acceptance, but for ourselves and for others, we will prevail.
“Before I conclude, there are some people whom I need thank. First of all, a big thank you to all of my teachers for educating me and my classmates these past four years, and for putting in the time and effort to do a good job. Thank you to Mr. Leavings for teaching me about the Law of Conservation of Happiness. Thank you to Mr. Keck for teaching me how to argue with people, in addition to like, how to write well. Thank you to Mr. Pallatto for giving me free pizza, free hand sanitizer, free hot sauce, and invaluable knowledge. Thank you to Mrs. Adamczyk for making me take AP Calculus, and no, I don’t mean that as a joke, and thank you to Ms. Ahearn for teaching me AP Calc. Thank you to Mr. Webb for, in addition to giving me food and life advice, making me enjoy what was by far the most intense class I’ve ever taken. Merci beaucoup to Madame Kehrley for that trip to France. Thank you to Mr. Czarkowski for a great High School Bowl experience, thank you Mr. Bartholomew for a great time in advisory, and thank you to Mr. Rice for both teaching me how to write well and for tolerating my excessively long papers. Thank you to Mrs. Webster for a life-changing four years in the music and theatre department. Thank you to Mr. Hagewood for teaching me how to carry the fire and for being super cool. To my sister Pooja, and to my extended family in Singapore, thanks for your constant encouragement. Finally, to my mom and dad, I want to say thank you for always being there for me, for always believing in me, and for raising me into the person I’ve become today. I love you both, and I hope I’ve made you proud.
“Well, Class of 2020, it’s been a pleasure embarking on this journey with you. And now, as the journey ends, I would like to say goodbye, good luck, and, in the words of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘May the Force be with you.’
There was music, which you can watch on the video of commencement. Next, Principal Hayward addressed the class:
“Good evening, faculty and BOE members, parents and families, friends… And most importantly, good evening seniors! I am so happy to SEE YOU! Here. In person. At your graduation commencement– which you wanted so badly and which we were determined to give you. We have missed you.
“As Zach said, I tell you that each class is different, each has its own personality, its own reputation, its own history at HK. You also know that the Class of 2020 is very special to me; I watched you enter as freshmen at the same time my daughter started her freshman year and have enjoyed watching the entire Class of 2020 grow and mature and find yourselves. I love this class not only as a senior principal, but also as a senior mom.
“From the beginning, you have been made up of a remarkable bouquet of personalities. Smart and independent Schuyler who actually interviewed me as an 8th grader to make sure HK was really the best place to continue her education. There’s the sweet and driven Crystal who started a non-profit charity to find a cure for brain cancer. The avant garde world traveler, Fjare. Lovable Alex, Chaz, Trey and Luke. Our spirited Julia, Vince and Devin and our best friend community leaders, Maxx and Maisy representing HK at national level prevention programs. This class boasts some of the best humans I’ve had the pleasure to know like Kevin, Michael, Lauren, Sam. The solid steadies whose personalities will get them in anywhere, Carmelo and Damaris. And our one in a million, Arjun, who is already impacting our world through his work with a State Senator and whose departure leaves a hole behind that will never be filled. I could do this all day long. Suffice it to say that you have each made your mark on HK and in our hearts and we will miss you terribly, but send you off with so much happiness and pride and hope. I would like to say a little more about the hope.
“The Class of 2020 has experienced more than its fair share of challenges and sorrows. No need to revisit them, you know what they are. You have shown patience, resilience, grit, and grace. Even in hoping and planning for this celebration tonight, you have handled life’s bumps with more positive energy than most can claim to have. I have had a lot of time to consider each of you in preparing for this evening and, as I often am, was inspired by music. This time, it was Jason Mraz’ ‘Look for the Good’ (which debuted in the midst of the 2020 weirdness) that best captured what I’ve watched this class do best. Here’s a bit of the lyrics:
People done gone crazy, people done gone mad
People done forgot the superpowers we all have
We were born to love, not hate, we can decide our fate
Yeah, look out for all the heroes in your neighborhood
Life sure would be sweeter if everybody would….look for the good…
“It is not always easy to look for the good, especially now. Just in your senior year, you have been pummeled with a constant barrage starting with triple E and ending with a global pandemic. In the middle, we witnessed an explosion of emotion and struggle around issues of race. And just last week, I saw an article in which the United States Navy confirmed several UFO sightings that they cannot explain. UFO’s! Are you serious?! (Listen up. We kinda have a lot going on down here right now – really not a good time for a visit.) Layer on the venom of social media and I’m just not sure where this path leads.
“But then there’s you. As sung in the Broadway musical, Hamilton, ‘History has its eyes on you.’ The great hope. Good humans from good families in a quiet corner of the world graduating from a school system and community that I hope has nurtured you, challenged you, taught you, and supported you. Just here tonight, we have parents who have been on the front lines throughout the spike and decline of a virus we knew little about. We have teachers who went digital almost overnight to hold together the academic part of your senior year. We have student leaders, devastated over the traditions seemingly lost due to school closure being part of the solution and planning patiently for a better outcome. All of you persevered.
“So amidst a time of tumult, there’s you – the wonderful, unique, and strong humans we love. And as long as there is you, there is hope. I know where that path leads — choose that path. Look for the good. Choose kindness.
“I’ll close with a quick list of things I learned from three looonnnngg months of pandemic isolation:
- Toilet paper and paper towels are be the currency of the future. Stock up.
- The ideal amount of time families should spend apart is 7-8 hours a day.
- Telling myself I would work out more if I had more time was a lie. Along with cleaning the house. Also a lie.
- GrubHub, Ubereats, and Doordash, welcome to the family.
- Keeping track of what day of the week it was was not easy. They should really bring back that underwear.
- Carole Baskin…definitely killed her husband.
“AND more seriously.…
- People need people. We are all part of Arjun’s mosaic.
- Patience and hard work pays off — sometimes with a graduation ceremony! 🙂
- Don’t take anything for granted — notice and cherish the little things, the good days. Look for the good.
- Always remember, kindness does not cost anything or go out of stock. You can have a voice, make a point, win an argument all while still being kind.
“Your Yearbook title is ‘We Are the Change.’ Good Lord, I hope so. It also features a Margaret Mead quote right underneath a photo of your class at our last pep rally: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Class of 2020, each of you can be a source of light or a source of darkness in any situation or phase of life. You have certainly been a source of light at HK. Now go out and light your world!
“It has been an honor and a privilege to be your principal. Thank you for everything you have taught me. Godspeed.”
Next, Superintendent Hageman stepped up to the podium to deliver her speech:
“Good evening students, parents, and invited guests. I am honored to be part of this wonderful evening, celebrating the completion of high school, a special and amazing time in life.
“I am joined tonight by Regional School District 17 Board Chair, Suzanne Sack, and fellow Board Members. On behalf of the Board of Education, I extend our congratulations to the Class of 2020!
“I would also like to welcome RSD17 administrators joining us here tonight. It is through the leadership and commitment of this team that our school district thrives. I am also proud to look out upon the teachers and staff of Haddam-Killingworth High School. You are among the most dedicated and talented educators I have ever known. Thank you for all that you have done for students to guide and support them while opening doors to a great expanse of knowledge and skills.
“And parents, I can only imagine the joy that this moment brings to you. I hope that you brought tissues with you tonight! Thank you for being advocates, cheerleaders, providers, and guardrails for your kids. I wish you all of the best as you continue to enjoy your graduates’ pursuits and successes.
“I would also like to thank Principal Hayward and the HKHS Graduation Planning Committee for making this ceremony come to life. When so much has not gone according to plan this year, you rallied and rose to the occasion, with your graduating seniors at the center of your hearts and minds. Thank you very much for bringing students together tonight!
“Seniors, you have spent your time immersed in tremendous intellectual growth while here at Haddam-Killingworth High School. Within each and every row of students sitting before me there are talented writers, mathematicians, scientists, athletes, actors, musicians, and artists. I want each of you to savor this moment in time-your graduation from high school-as the milestone that it is. You have been part of an outstanding tradition of scholarship, leadership, and friendship that defines HK. I hope you remember your experience here fondly and that you build upon the foundation you leave here with.
“As you move on from us, you will have many opportunities, triumphs, and perhaps a few set-backs in the years to come. What this past spring proved is that you rallied as well, persevered, adapted, and succeeded. With the support of your parents, teachers, and friends, you have amassed a set of skills and habits-of-mind to navigate through the open doors ahead. You are the problem-solvers and solution-finders of the future. We are counting on you to create a better world for us all and we know that you can.
“My wish for each of you is that you believe in your capacity to enhance our world—to contribute in ways that make a difference through innovative thinking and powerful collaboration, and with the confidence that you matter. You make a difference.
“What lies ahead for you? Maybe you are sure you know, maybe you are not, but in my heart, my hope for you is that you pursue your interests, do your best, be resilient, and enjoy each and every day along your path.
“Be happy. Be safe. Be respectful and kind to others. I speak for all of the teachers, staff, parents, and guests here tonight when I say that we are proud to be part of your history and wish you all the best in your future. Go and make the most of it!!
“Thank you, congratulations and best wishes.”
When she finished the speech, diplomas were handed out, and then the students got to move the tassels on their mortarboards. After that, the recessional began, and everyone headed home.
“The success of the night was due to the strength of the team who supported the effort including graduation committee members Kelly Brown, Meg Sears, Carlye Kohs, Marcy Webster, Nancy McGee, Kasha Topa-Finberg, and Lynne Flint,” said Dr. Hageman. “HK Athletic Director, Lynne Flint came up with the ‘Friday night lights’ vision. The seniors loved the idea and began to get excited about a ceremony that would be like no other. Audio-visual technician, Jim Kane and Kasha Topa-Finberg were other key players in this event. Jim arranged all the details to support a highly complex production, contacting vendors for the movie screens, running cable, and conducting sound checks.Kasha Topa-Finberg produced the video which was sent to families the next day. She also arranged for student videographers to become part of our team for the night and capture multiple angles for the video. Every person involved in making this night happen has our highest praise and gratitude, including of course, Principal Donna Hayward and Assistant Principal Adam Apicella.”
Congratulations, Class of 2020. You finally made it!
Photo by Barbara Welles.
Edited 7/23/20 to include Dr. Hageman’s speech and comments.
