Drury High School Class of 2007: "We All Graduate With Honors"

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Drury High School Class of 2007 members Michael Blair and Charity Ogoy [Photo by Sue Bush]
North Adams - For the first time in the history of the school, the Drury Class of 2007 boasted one valedictorian and two salutatorians. Carly Ameen of North Adams and Taylor Erdeski of Stamford, Vt. tied for the honor of delivering the commencement salutation. Ameen and Erdeski delivered powerful, meaningful words to the 133-member graduating class and the over 1200 friends and family members perched on the bleachers inside the Bernard "Bucky' Bullet gymnasium during tonight's graduation. Ameen focused on "beginnings," "endings," and the many questions facing the class. "Give The World Your Best" "Somewhere along the line, our fears of 'who should I sit with at lunch' turned into 'what should I do next?' and 'where do I go from here/"," Ameen said. "But I know that each and every one of us is fully prepared to answer all those questions." "To some of us here tonight, this may feel like an ending," Ameen said. "Others will say it's a beginning. But I think tonight is simply a continuation of all the work we have done since kindergarten. I am reminded of a Japanese proverb that states 'beginning is easy, continuing hard.'" Once diplomas are in hand, "we will be challenged to actually do something with what we have learned," she said."No matter what our individual plans are for tomorrow or next year, once we leave here it is our obligation to continue on." "Give the world your best," she said."If you must think of tonight as an ending, keep those memories that will sustain you in the long journey ahead. And if you feel that this is a beginning, celebrate one of life's rare chances to start over. But no matter what, know that at the very core, tonight our lives will continue on to bigger and better things." "All Beginnings Are Hard" Erdeski noted the odd dynamic of beginnings and endings as well. "'All beginnings are hard,' said Chaim Potok," Erdeski said. "I'm sure you are all sitting there thinking that this is the end, the culmination of all life up to this point. And while it is the end of everything that we've worked for throughout our entire lives, it is also the beginning of something new and different, something great." Erdeski noted that the current generation has yet to be labeled: "We are not the Baby Boomers, the Flower Children, the Generation x-ers. Instead, we are worldliest generation yet to come. We are generation Y. There is no doubt that our exposure to the computer and the vast array of media has permanently shaped our lives." Honors Earned By All "Renowned speaker Cam Marsten says that 'generation Y members are focused on themselves; therefore, they don't make sacrifices. They pursue what is in their best interest.' You bet we pursue what's in our best interest, how else could we have the state's best band or have beaten Hoosac three years in a row? However, I must say I disagree with Mr. Marsten's statement. The Class of 2007 has made many sacrifices for the good of the school. We have worked hard spending many hours studying, practicing, bruising our bodies, losing our voices,playing til our fingers bled. The results show as this class has been a part of many fine teams, whether it be our outstanding music department, or our academic, athletic and drams teams, we have focused on making the group outstanding, not just the individual." Erdeski concluded with a few words directed at Marsten. "Dear Mr. Marsten, we are not the selfish, self-centered generation you have led others to believe. For all the things that change tonight, we have an achievement that can never be compromised. Tonight, we all graduate "with honors." We have earned honors as human beings in the first eighteen years of life. There is honor in the respect we have earned as students, athletes, artists, volunteers and citizens. There is honor in the compassion that we have shown to each other and to those in need. There is honor in the lives we have touched and honor in the lives we have bettered. I hope that we, the Class of 2007, can draw upon the vast amount of worldly knowledge granted to us and that we succeed in being as honorable in our future as we have been in our past." Fly High Valedictorian Bryant Wood reminded the graduating class members that "it's time for the next step of our lives." "We are the young birds of Drury High School, we have learned to fly, our parents no longer feed us and now it's time to make a nest we may call home," he said. "I ask that when making your nest, you take all the branches and twigs you have obtained from high school, every little piece of information, so that your nest may be strong and full enough to support all your future endeavors." "Don't be afraid to fly to that further tree, it is easier to apologize than to regret." Wood asked the class to rise and "look all around you." "These are the people you have to thank for helping you graduate today, your friends, your family, and your teachers." Wood urged the Class of 2007 to thank those who need thanks, and "make sure this summer is the best you ever had." "Tie any loose ends with friends, end any feuds with enemies," he said. "Hold your lovers hand tighter this summer." "Class of 2007, spread your wings and fly high." City Mayor John Barrett III presented diplomas to the graduating class members. The Class Ode "Just A Chapter" was penned by class members and the music was written by Class of 2007 member Michael Blair. Where Do They Go From Here? Many graduating students revealed their plans prior to the ceremony's start. Tiffany Fleming of Florida said that she plans to work and tackle a rather vast personal undertaking. "I'm planning my wedding," she said, and added that she and fiancee Shaun Poirot plan to be married in May 2008. Erdeski said she plans to attend Ithaca College. She is planning a career as a physical therapist, she said. "I loved Drury," she said. "It was so much different than going to school in Stamford. When I got to Drury, there were all kinds of people and I liked that. I'm looking forward to college, where there will be even more diversity." Allyson Maynard of North Adams said that she plans to attend Macintosh College and study culinary arts. "I want to be a caterer," she said. "People Are Friends Here" Ethan Rougeau said that he will attend Franklin Pierce College and study criminal justice. Rougeau hopes to become a law enforcement officer. Joshua Ritcher said he plans to attend Universal Technical Institute and focus on automotive technology. "I like cars," he said. "I always have." "I'm going to miss all the people," Ritcher said. "This isn't a high school that's filled with drama and bickering; people are friends here." Aaron Chappell said he plans on enlisting in the U.S. Army. Tera Walley and Leo Marable are among those hoping to be accepted into a Charles H. McCann Technical School secondary education program. "And there's a summer league for basketball that I'm going to play on," Marable added. Already Homesick For English Class.... Sean Trottier said that his plans include enrolling at the Berkshire Community College and earning a degree in criminal justice. He is considering a career as a law enforcement officer, he said. Trottier was already feeling some nostalgia and a hankering for the classroom, particularly English classrooms. "My favorite memory, and what I'm really going to miss, is getting yelled at by my English teachers for being too loud," Trottier said. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 29.
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North Adams Clothing Store Moving to Larger Space

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Label Shopper is moving across the parking lot to the former Peebles location in April.
 
The discount clothing store has been located in the downtown's L-shaped mall downtown since 2009. It replaced Fashion Bug, which had been in that spot for 24 years before closing in 2007; the company liquidated in 2013. 
 
Label Shopper is part of Peter Harris Clothes, established in 1970 by Peter Elitzer. Starting as a single store in Latham, N.Y., offering brand-name apparel at discount prices, the company operates more than 70 stores throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
 
The store is set to close on April 6 for the move and reopen on April 9 in the former Gordmans, according to signage. 
 
Gordmans briefly replaced Peebles in the former Kmart until the parent company of the two brands declared bankruptcy and closed its stores in 2020. 
 
At 17,250 square feet, the Gordman's space is at least double the size of Label Shopper's current location.
 
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