Taconic High Bids Goodbye to the 'Perfect '10'
 Taconic valedictorian Caroline Sinico sings 'Colors of the Wind' instead of a speech at Sunday's graduation ceremony. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Caroline Sinico threw tradition out the window on Sunday afternoon to seranade rather than lecture to her classmates.
The Taconic High School class of 2010 valedictorian launched into a rendition of "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's "Pocahantas" to impress upon the 196 other graduates that "until we are able to accept others and the world around us, we will not progress at the conclusion of our adolescent years."
Sinico, who also sang the national anthem at the beginning of the graduation ceremony in the Taconic gymnasium, was given a rousing round of applause from graduates, families, friends, officials and faculty.
"It is imperative to approach life with an open mind, embrace each other's differences, be accepting of individuality," she said, adding that the uniqueness of each student, each new acquaintance, is astounding and exciting. "Until you accept that, you will remain in a very narrow world.
"If you embark on your next journey with an accepting attitude, you'll be able to paint not only in green and gold, but with all the colors of the wind."
Some of the green- and gold-clad graduates were presented honors and high honors certificates before all were called up to receive their diplomas from Mayor James M. Ruberto, who told them to "dream big dreams" and not to forget love — for life, for friends, for romance. "Think of love as the master key that opens your door to happiness." And, of course, that it was "a great day for the city of Pittsfield."
Ruberto was assisted in presenting diplomas by School Committee members Churchill Cotton and Daniel C. Elias. The honors were presented by Chairwoman Kathleen A. Amuso, who urged the graduates to be involved in their communities, and school officials including Superintendent Howard J. Eberwein III.
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The honors chorus sang "From There" in memory of classmate Daniel J. Smith, who in 2009 died of leukemia before his senior year began. Smith was an honor student and John and Abigail Adams Scholar.
Principal John Vosburgh presented the valedictory awards for his first graduation as principal and reminded the students that, as former teacher and vice principal at Reid Middle School, he had the rare honor of having known many since sixth grade.
"It's a proud moment for me to see how you have grown from children to fine men and women," said Vosburgh, telling them the most important characteristic they needed was confidence. "As you approach obstacles or decisions in life be confident that the decision you choose is the right one; you may not be right all the time but be confident you did what you thought you should do."
The ceremonies were punctuated by cheers and airhorns, and the appearance of beach balls that were tossed back and forth through the sea of green and gold as they spent their last official moments as students in the Home of the Braves.
Eberwein advised them to follow the four Cs: collect, connect, create and Chinese — food, that is, as a way to treat themselves. Noting that fortune cookies were among his favorite inspirations, he told the graduates that "advice and inspiration can be found in the most subtle places. Don't be afraid to look for it and ask for it.
"You have the power to be inspirational — musicians, athletes, business owners, parents, scientists, mechanics, cooks, translators, artists, welders, citizens," said the superintendent. "It is this potential that inspires each of us here today and gives us great hope."
Christine J. Niccoli, salutatorian, used a different technique to sum up the differences of her classmates — asking them through Facebook to describe the class in one word. She discovered the class of 2010 "is a little bit crazy, a lot of fun, hardworking, creative and unique."
"Whether it was in the classroom, on the playing field, in an auto body garage, on the stage, or around the campus, we all brought a part of us to Taconic High School," she said. "Even though we might all be different, we have a way of always being able to support each other. We know when to put our differences aside, when to have each other's back."
Her voice breaking, she told her classmates, "as you go through life, remember the lessons learned and the great times you've experienced at Taconic. Lastly, congratulations to all of you. Class of 2010, we are the perfect 10."
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