Valedictorian Eric Brett Lubin praises fellow graduates. Contributed photoBy James Lomuscio
Principal John Dodig called it a moment of great pride “and some sadness”—today’s 124th commencement exercises for Westport’s Staples High School.
Dodig’s feelings wee bittersweet because after four years of watching his students grow, it was time to say goodbye.
“You’re the reason I love my job and remain being a high school principal,” told the 469 graduates assembled in the Staples Field House. “I love you.”
In addition to the graduates, more than 3,000 family members and friends filled the Field House, snapping pictures and fanning themselves with programs, if not portable electric fans.
Carmelo Mioli, whose son Alessandro, was among the graduates, reiterated some of the bittersweet comments made by Dodig.
“It’s an emotional moment because Sandro is the last in our family to finish high school,” said Mioli. “It’s also a proud moment because he went to a very good school and now he’s off to Manhattan College. I’m very proud of him.”
Mioli’s neighbor Barbara Wiederecht, whose daughter Cailtin will be attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. in the fall, expressed similar pangs of sentiment.
“I can remember the day when she got on the bus with Sandro for kindergarten at Kings Highway Elementary,” she said choking up. “Today is something special. 
Class of 2011 Staples grads show off their diplomas today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Valedictorian Eric Brett Lubin spent a good deal of his speech praising his fellow graduates, calling them “movers, the ones who bring about change in the world.”
He cited examples of them being Intel scholars, National Merit scholars, EMTs, members of the armed services, founders of Staples’ television station and writers and editors for Inklings, the school newspaper.
Lubin also spoke of their involvement in social causes and willingness to be innovative, so much so, that he said among the graduates there was another “Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, a DaVinci.”
Lubin’s twin brother Todd was salutatorian at the baccalaureate ceremony held Wednesday evening.
In his valedictory address, Lubin also described the dramatic technological changes that have reshaped the world in the past 35 years, and he noted that those changes continue today.
Fans came in handy as the Field House heated up with the crowd. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“When we graduate from college, computers will be sixteen times faster than they are today,” he said. “It’s an understatement to say that the world is changing.”
He added that along with these changes come the opportunity and responsibility to “right the wrongs around us.”
Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, who took the helm in 1999, noted that he has watched the graduates grow “since the day they entered first grade 12 years ago.”
“The Class of 2011 is a very special class indeed,” he said, urging them to better our nation’s future. ” ..I have faith in each and every one of you.”
