By James Lomuscio
Forget any preconceived notions of an ultra formal, stuffy even, baccalaureate ceremony dripping with mawkish sentiment. Tonight’s ceremony for Westport’s Staples High School’s Class of 2012—the 451 seniors who will graduate Tuesday—rocked, or rather rapped, taking on an upbeat, often comedic air.
Carolyn Chen, class salutatorian, made her on-stage entrance via a razor scooter and sporting a backpack. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
It all happened from the minute senior Sammy Warshaw, the evening’s master of ceremonies, stepped on to the stage in the darkened school auditorium to his closing remarks following the Staples A Cappella Choir’s rendition of “Love on Top,” not to mention Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”
In between, the packed audience of parents and family members heard a rap song written and performed by Andrew Medina, self deprecating high school, college and early life yarns with photos to boot from media faculty members Mike Zito and Jim Honeycutt, and a humorous commentary about being a parent and a Staples guidance counselor from Deborah Slocum.
Even Carolyn Chen, class salutatorian who made her on-stage entrance via a razor scooter and sporting a backpack, gave what was essentially a stand-up comedy bit, playing on her diminutive height and Asian American experience at Staples.
“If there’s one things about Staples that’s missing,” Chen said, after touting its many assets, “it’s diversity. They can’t tell us Asians apart.”
The crowd roared with laughter and cheered throughout her presentation, as well as the speeches of others.
Self deprecating high school, college and early life yarns with photos were offered by media faculty members Jim Honeycutt (l) and Mike Zito. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
But throughout all the good humor and talent displayed, such as Nick Daley’s whirlwind dance to Jamie Yarnoff and Sofia Ribolla singing “Dream,” there were grounded truths, poignancy and thankfulness. It was directed at Principal John Dodig, Assistant Principal Karyn Morgan and the students themselves.
“Contrary to popular opinion, I’m blessed to work with teenagers,” said Slocum, who said that she sometimes has to swallow her desire to speak in order to adhere to the “80-20 rule” of listening 80 percent of the time to teenagers and speaking 20 percent.
“The more I am at Staples, I understand how important it is to listen, especially to teenagers,” she said.
Zito and Honeycutt underscored their humor with the thesis that despite the path one carves out for his or her future, life is full of surprises with opportunities for growth, or as Zito said, “You just never know.”
Even Chen, despite her comedic delivery, challenged students not only to think outside the box, but to step outside it, too. She also asked students to imagine what it would be like to come back to their 50th high school reunion.
“Who do you want to be?” she asked.
And Warshaw, ever the jovial emcee, ended on a heartfelt note.
“Thank you to all who have been part of this wonderful experience,” he said about the four years at Staples.
Congrats to all especially Carolyn!!!