Valedictorian Aria Grossman found inspiration for her address scrolling YouTube. See more photos here.
LENOX, Mass. — The 113 graduates of the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2023 were sent off with some words of wisdom from Taylor Swift: "Be good to people."
"Several things make your class stand out. In addition to your many accomplishments, I appreciate your voices, your commitment to support each other, your decency and your spark," said Berkshire Hills Regional Superintendent Peter Dillon, who channeled the quote from the pop star. "You've come together as a class, you've made remarkable decisions about what's next ...
"Try hard, do wonderful things, make mistakes and try again. We wish you well. We're eager to see who you continue to become."
Graduation exercises for the Great Barrington high school were held in unusually cool weather in the Shed at Tanglewood on Sunday afternoon. The chorus performed "In My Life" by John Lennon and the diplomas were presented by Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee Chair Stephen Bannon. The class marshals were Ari Caine and Noelia Salinetti.
Valedictorian Aria Grossman said she'd gotten lots of advice on her speech — make it funny, make it Oscar-like in thanking everyone, make it profound, don't make it profound, make it musical.
"So today I'm going to be discussing a topic that I think will deeply resonate with a lot of you. Mindless internet scrolling," she said to laughter.
During her scrolling of YouTube, Grossman came across an artist creating a photorealistic drawing of a glass of water.
"Each stroke increased my awareness of everything that goes into a glass of water, all the patterns of light and color that combined to create the glasses image," she said. "In the process, I gained a deeper appreciation for the depth and complexity of visual experience. ...
"I bring this up because I think that high school has, in many ways been like this drawing video. Much of our work has been a sort of deconstruction."
The class had delved into chemistry and biology, grammar and language, ideas and events that shaped history, she said, and in the process they've gained a greater sense of wonder and gratitude for the world in which we live.
"As we move forward with our lives, my hope is that we will approach each situation with gratitude, gratitude for the joyful moments, but also gratitude for the challenges and the opportunity, the opportunity for learning and growth that they bring, Grossman said. "And gratitude for the uplifting and inspiring communities of which we are apart."
Salutatorian Tyler Sprague said he wasn't sure how much advice he could pass on.
"Hopefully, no one came here today anticipating a life-altering speech, because I unfortunately do not feel as if I possess much wisdom to impart on you all," he said. "Rather, I want to take this chance as a final opportunity to reflect on some key moments in my time in Monument."
The one that stood out most to him was an ambitious pep rally in which he had donned a mascot costume but which hadn't gone quite as he planned.
"I felt the strength, courage and honor that I thought this mascot would feel but more importantly, I felt an immense sense of pride. Because in that moment, I was a symbol for something larger," Sprague said, but the limited vision of the head came sent him flying during hamster ball soccer in the gym.
"Monument taught me how quickly one can go from parading around a gymnasium to holding back tears as they lay sprawled out on the floor," he said. "It has taught me the difference between taking my work seriously and taking myself seriously. I'm truly grateful for these lessons. I hope we all can continue to reflect on the lessons we have learned at Monument as we face this large transition in our lives."
Bannon told the class they'd been given a solid foundation and it was up to them to continue to build on it.
"You're about to move into the next phase of your life. Do not look back with regrets. look forward with anticipation. It is only by having faith in yourself that you will succeed in life. Does not matter what path you have chosen to take. Only matters you're comfortable with the path you have chosen," he said.
Before leading the class in turning their tassels, Principal Kristina Farina wanted to address them one last time.
The had had one of "the strangest learning experience imaginable" that none could have predicted, she said. "Class of 2023, you rose to the occasion. You stepped up and pushed through and beyond that you made our community better. You've each demonstrated resilience in getting to this day, a stop along the way to your next journey, your next destination.
"Take time to savor today's experience and thank those who supported you in getting here."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Triplex to Screen 'Made in Massachusetts'
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Triplex Cinema and Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative announce a special one-time screening of "Made in Massachusetts," an epic chronological compilation of scenes from two hundred movies and television shows shot in Massachusetts between 1922 and 2022, including a number of films shot in the Berkshires.
Directors Adam Roffman and Vatche Arabian have compiled memorable clips from one hundred years of filmed entertainment into a delightful and informative film highlighting the diversity of locations in Massachusetts.
Tickets for the Oct. 13 screening are available at the Triplex Cinema website and are free; there is a suggested donation of $20 for this event and all fundraising proceeds will be shared by the Triplex and BFMC. Following the screening will be a conversation between director Adam Roffman and BFMC's Executive Director Diane Pearlman.
According to a press release:
Filmmaking in Massachusetts began in the earliest days of the motion picture industry, in the late 1890's, with a series of eight "Rip Van Winkle" short films shot on Cape Cod in 1896. Notable films shot in Massachusetts include "Captains Courageous," shot in 1937 in Gloucester; " the Academy Award winning "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," shot in the Northampton area, in 1967; 1967's "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming" shot on Nantucket; 1969's "Alice's Restaurant" shot in and around Great Barrington; "Love Story," shot in 1970 in and around Cambridge; "Jaws," shot in 1974 on Martha's Vineyard; "The Verdict," shot in and around Boston in 1982; "Good Will Hunting," shot in and around Boston in 1997; the Academy Award winning "The Departed," shot in 2005; and the Academy Award winning film "Coda" shot in Gloucester in 2020. This is just a small handful of films shot in Massachusetts over the past century, films which include many of the greatest actors and performances in the history of cinema.
Director Adam Roffman has worked on numerous films shot in Massachusetts as a member of the art department where he is an On-Set-Dresser (the member of the art department who, along with the production designer, consults with the director and cinematographer to achieve the look of each scene). Films he has worked on include "CODA," Little Women," "American Hustle," "Don't Look Up," and "The Town," and he will share with the audience his experiences working on these films, as well as the work that went into compiling "Made in Massachusetts." As a co-founder of the Independent Film Festival Boston, Roffman has been an advocate for film in Massachusetts and "Made in Massachusetts" is a love letter to the State and a visual representation of the diversity of one-hundred-years of filmmaking.
For the next week, DiZoglio will be walking from Berkshire County to Boston to raise awareness for ballot question one, which would give the auditor the authority to audit the Legislature.
click for more
Wahconah High senior Tim Kaley Sunday earned his second Berkshire Classic Championship by shooting a 77 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. click for more
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and U.S Sen. Edward Markey shared the reflections on the nation's political climate during separate swings through the Berkshires this week. click for more
West Dews ran for 137 yards, Landon Corcoran made big plays down the stretch and the Wahconah defense made the biggest stop of the night to stymie a comeback drive in the closing minutes of a 22-18 win over rival Hoosac Valley on Friday night.
click for more
Pignatelli said housing insecurity and shortages are paramount in Berkshire County and encouraged communities to develop shovel-ready plans because "we're not going to hand out money from concepts or ideas, we're going to fund projects."
click for more