Commencement 2009

Saying good-bye is never easy, but this year's graduation ceremony was a memorable farewell, filled with a mixture of good cheer, excellent speeches, and touching personal remarks. From Student Body President Mike Finkelstein '09 encouraging his classmates to value what life gives them and make their own memories, to Senior Orator Selassie Sayon's list of the six most important lessons she's learned on the Mountainside, to Associate Director of Admission Jesse Downs' talk on the importance of family and community, Darrow spirit pervaded Commencement.

Perhaps the most poignant point was made by Valedictorian Elizabeth Adams '09, who reminded her fellow community members not to define themselves by who they were in the past or will be in the future, but by who they are right now. Elizabeth quoted Emily Dickinson, saying, "Forever is composed of nows." She summarized, "In every present moment, try to find and make meaning in everything that you do."

We have no doubt that this year's group of seniors will do exactly that, and will create their own successes.