I know that everyone here is just itching to go off and celebrate our graduation. I also know that you don’t want to hear a speech from me about going off into the world and how it is a “new beginning” because I know that you will hear enough of that today. Instead of lecturing you on this, why not look back at our journey— the journey of the class of 2011. It all began in elementary school. The first few years were filled with drool and boogers. Then, from what I hear as I didn’t enroll in Webutuck until the 4^th grade, there was the epic meeting between the Amenia and Millerton elementary schools when they merged in 3^rd grade. Days were spent playing in the sand on the playground and engaging in awesome games of tag during recess. Our teachers planned fun activities, and, for a while, school was actually fun.

It seems as if it were only last week that we entered into sixth grade. We had all been nervous of course about switching classes, using lockers, and having a different teacher for each subject. School became harder due to all these changes, but despite all the differences we made it through with the help of our teachers and peers. Our class has always been crazy and different. Just look back at all the middle school dances we took part in, particularly the one when Phil dressed as a girl and sent the teachers into an uproar. And don’t forget the time a bunch of the guys dressed in skirts and had to call home in order to obtain parental permission to stay dressed that way all day. Middle school was so much fun. We always had great times during the dissections in Mrs. Gillett’s class and creating cool projects in Mr. Braslin’s and Mrs. Laufer’s classes. And in 8^th grade we had a blast crawling on the floor reenacting war in Mrs. Henan’s class; listening to Mrs. Gonzalez’s crazy stories, specifically the one about how she glued her eye shut; Shane getting yelled at everyday by Mrs. Thomas for talking; or harassing Mr. Hosier for being related to Gwen never seemed to get old. But in life everything must come to an end and so did our middle school years. Our journey was almost complete, but we had one final stage to finish first, high school.

Freshman year began and everyone had jitters at the thought of being so old, yet as old as we felt we still found ourselves rushing past the senior lounge in fear of the upperclassman. Our classes once again became harder and we learned to hate the words “regents’ course.” Our high school years have been filled with many events such as hiding Mr. Pearson’s markers in the dirt and drawing pictures on his pull down screen; sitting in Mr. Reid’s class thinking is this man for real because he is big and scary and I don’t want to cross him; reading aloud various books with Mr. Pollack, which was a challenge because he always spoke so quietly and you had to strain to hear him; enjoying Mr. H’s music every Friday while we sat and worked; hearing Mr. Mckeever’s and Mr. Harvey’s countless jokes; messing around with Mrs. Gagne in band; and having a blast while reading Shakespearian plays with Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Mundell. We have hosted many high school dances, fundraisers, pep rallies, and other school organized events. We have helped each other work in the senior lounge which always turned to playing cards within five minutes. We have Screamed our heads off on the kingda ka during our senior trip; and have pulled pranks like putting a horse in the courtyard then out on the track, building a beach in the lounge, leaving a scavenger hunt for Mr. Saur so he could find his comfy chair, as well as wrapping his car in saran wrap. We have also witnessed countless high school drama situations as well as the loss and gain of friends. Our journey here at Webutuck has been, by no means, dull.

It’s amazing how much has changed during the past twelve years of school, but here we are. Somehow we made it! It is kind of hard to believe that our journey here is finally over. Today will truly be the last day we are all together and this is sad, but I know that everyone is moving on to grander journeys that will take you to exciting new heights. It may be time for us to go our separate ways, but I just ask that while you do so that you never forget where you came from, the people whom you have shared the last 12 years with, and the lessons you have learned while here. Bon voyage.

Alyssa Biscoglio