Smith Voke grads step up, ready, willing, able

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - The 117 graduates of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School's class of 2009 walked across the stage at Smith College's John M. Greene Hall as high school students for the last time Wednesday night.

Garbed in their traditional school colors, the boys in black caps and gowns and the girls in gold, seniors entered the crowded concert hall to a standing ovation from the faculty, friends and family members who helped them on their path to graduation.

School administrators used the ceremony as an opportunity to remind the seniors, many of whom are prepared to immediately enter the work force in a variety of fields, that the solutions to the problems of today will likely be solved during their generation's turn at the helm.

"The climate is changing. Be ready for change, class of 2009, don't be caught off guard," said Principal Leslie Skantz-Hodgson. "Stay on top of the new technologies and not just the latest cell phones and video games. Learn all that you can about what is going on in the changing world, be flexible and ready to adapt."

Also speaking at graduation was Superintendent Arthur P. Apostolou, who told seniors that despite the current state of national economy, many of the careers they are entering into are still in need of a new generation of well-trained applicants.

"You will now go out into your community during tough economic times. Fortunately, many of the vocations you are in will not be outsourced," Apostolou said. "You cannot ask your plumber to fix your sink from Asia through the phone, and homes cannot be built over the Internet."

"Always keep in mind the successes that you have experienced and the tough times you have already gotten through," Apostolou said in closing, "You have a track record, you know what to do and you are going to do all right. You truly are a really great class, and I am really proud to see you here."

A plea for the planet

Using his chance at the podium to voice his concerns about reversing global warming was John W. Diemand, senior class president, who elected to slightly change the words of President John F. Kennedy's famous speech to "Ask not what your planet can do for you, but what you can do for your planet."

"I want to end this speech with a personal plea, not just to the graduates, but to all of you sitting here tonight," Diemand said. "Do your part, don't wait for the person next to you or scientists in labs in countries on other continents, let's all take the necessary steps together, here in our country, and take them now."

Mayor calls for quick thanks

Before assisting school administrators in handing out diplomas, Mayor Clare Higgins asked students to recognize the faculty members who molded them into the qualified professionals they are today and the parents who helped them succeed both in and out of school.

"Congratulations, class of 2009, you have all done a great job, and I am sure you will all do great things in the future," Higgins said.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com