By Dave Matlow
Salutatorian Melissa Beretta addresses fellow classmates tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
There were plenty of smiles and entertainment at the baccalaureate ceremony tonight at Staples High School on the eve of Friday’s 2014 class graduation.
Salutatorian Melissa Beretta, who will attend Duke University in the fall, told classmates: “No matter where you go or what you become, you will always know where you’ve come from. It will always be with you.”
“Westport breeds innocence and worldliness,” she added.
Beretta differentiated high school life in Westport with a TV show she saw where the valedictorian went into labor during the graduation ceremony.
Looking into the audience, Beretta said, “I can guarantee that it’s not so, mom and dad. You’re welcome.”
Master of ceremonies for the event in the Staples auditorium was Nick Vega, who will enter Duke University in the fall.
Entertainment included the A Cappella group led by Choir Director Luke Rosenberg, which performed “The Longest Time” and “Change the World.” Rosenberg was piano accompanist as Daniel Shapiro performed “Villanelle” on the French horn, and Sylvie Lexow performed “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
A quartet of entertainers included Cara McNiff, Amanda Horowitz, Madison Rozynek and Jeremy Staffa, on guitar, singing “Follow Me.”
Kelsey Shockey, who will attend Fairfield University in the fall and who presented the “Happy Tip of the Week” on the Staples channel 78 TV show “Good Morning Staples,” presented her final tip to the class of 2014.
“Happiness is a choice,” she said. “You can deal with anything that comes your way. Simply choose happiness.”
As for her future plans, Kelsey said, “I want to be host on the ‘Good Morning America’ show and I’ll literally do anything to get there.”
Shockey said she has lived a life of adversity. “My father died when I was young,” she said. “My brother has autism. This is a week of Father’s Day and graduation –- a very sensitive week for me.”
A musical video production shown at end of program included many students and faculty as well as Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon.
