PVPA graduates stage final high school performance

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - The raucous graduation ceremony for Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School's Class of 2009 was as unique as the 79 individuals who graced the stage as high school students for the last time Thursday night.

Before a capacity crowd at the Calvin Theatre on King Street, students and faculty members reflected on four years of maturing as musicians, dancers, thespians and community members and prepared for the sweeping changes that the future holds for them.

To kick off the ceremony, which seemed more like a Broadway production than a graduation, class members entered the theater, each in uniquely decorated graduation caps, to a standing ovation and a school band performance of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." After which, Five Alone, a senior singing group, performed its own original rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, complete with beatboxing.

School Administrator Bob Brick, who was one of the ceremony's keynote speakers, reminded students that while seniors took their own route to graduation, their diverse curriculum and student body was what separated their high school education from that offered at other institutions.

"Your diversity represents our dreams for our school and our dreams for our society," Brick said. "Dreams that I believe we might find in the real world because after all, diversity is the one true thing that we all have in common and we should all celebrate that."

Before ending his speech, Brick maintained a tradition that had begun on a hot day several years ago, by offering graduating seniors their own "bailout package," and throwing ice cream bars into the student section while they all barked like seals.

Also offering her own words of wisdom was senior speaker and aspiring dancer Sasha Jimenez, who compared her time at the South Hadley school to the dictionary's definition of "potluck."

"The only way I can describe high school is through an analogy," Jimenez said. "According to the dictionary, a potluck is a food or meal that happens to be available without preparation or purchase. The students at PVPA aren't meals, but each and every individual I came across on my path had something different to teach me. They opened my eyes to new ideas and brought something different to the table. I personally had a taste of what everyone had to offer."

After each senior received their diploma, the class brought the crowd it its feet one last time when they took to the stage during the Senior Class Performance, which showcased a variety of their talents including acting, singing, dancing and music.

"You are all curious, creative, energetic, talented, kind, politically involved, playful, socially conscious and active - sometimes silly, sassy and fresh and always lovable," Brick said before closing his speech. "You all face many challenges and obstacles in the future, but I believe every one of you has the gumption and the gas to finish."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com