Fishkill - Rubber bands shaped like animals. Books about vampires. A prom at West Point. These are just some of the fondest memories of the Beacon High School Class of 2010. Saturday night at Dutchess Stadium 248 members of that class were awarded diplomas.
Leading the Commencement was Anthony DiMarco, High School Principal. "Never forget to recognize yourself in others," DiMarco said. "More importantly, recognize others in yourself."
DiMarco, who just completed his second year at the helm of Beacon High School, continued by stressing to graduates the importance of giving back.
Amongst the 200 plus receiving diplomas were 93 recipients of 60 Local Awards and Scholarships, 14 graduating with Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, 56 National Honor Society members, an assortment of accomplished athletes, as well as many creative artists. It was a class who will be sending its graduates off to such colleges as; Boston University, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Villanova University. In total, 78 different colleges will be welcoming Beacon High School graduates in the fall.
The post Beacon High School days for each graduate may vary; however, for many there was shared ground to get to the Dutchess Stadium stage Saturday night.
"It’s been a long road to get to this point tonight, but he finally did it," said Clee’s father, Michael Clee Sr. "I just can’t wait to see the moment when he finally gets that diploma in his hand; then it will all sink in and feel real."
Just as DiMarco had affected this class, Valedictorian Joseph Borrello stressed the ability of all of us to do the same.
"We must see the effect our choices have on others, always thinking before we choose," said Borrello. "A single person has a great ability to make change in this world."
For now that change is about closing one chapter and beginning another, as Rebecca Zopf, Senior Class President, reminded her classmates. Donning a gold robe with "The end of 2010" emblazoned on its back, Zopf, who had the distinction of being the last to be handed her diploma for the evening, had the following advice.
"When you come up on stage to get your diploma, you are taking your final bow," said Zopf. "At least your last high school one; so make it a good one."
