It was an overcast day with the threat of rainstorms last Saturday, June 27, as the Cazenovia High School Class of 2015 celebrated its commencement inside the Cazenovia College gymnasium. Hundreds of family and friends of the graduating seniors, along with teachers and district staff, watched as the 146 candidates for graduation, dressed in their blue and white robes, each holding a white rose, received their awards, scholarships, general accolades and, of course, their high school diplomas.
“Seniors … as much as you have benefitted from this Cazenovia education, this school has gained much more,” said Superintendent Matt Reilly, presiding over his first commencement since being named head of the district in 2014. “You will forever be intimately linked to Cazenovia and Cazenovia to you.”
CHS Principal Eric Knuth, also presiding over his first commencement, congratulated and lauded the graduates for their hard work and achievements, including their receipt of more than $1.5 million in scholarship opportunities and the completion of more than 12,500 hours of community service.
“You are products of a supportive community. Certainly this is a time for celebration, but also a time for gratitude,” Knuth said. “You are capable of anything you are willing to put in the work to accomplish.”
The High School Brass Ensemble played the “Pomp and Circumstance” processional and senior David Kempf sang the National Anthem. Class valedictorian Willa Mihalyi-Koch offered the class greeting, after which she and class salutatorian Meredith Shephard received medals for their respective achievements of being the academic leaders of their class.
Class Speaker Peter Decew reminisced on the Class of 2015’s educational journey during the past 12 years and declared that looking back in 20 years, he and his classmates will realize “in so many ways we were lucky to be here.”
After the presentation of 63 awards and scholarships, the Cazenovia High School Chamber Choir performed the song, “Send me on my way.”
CHS alum Timothy Ahern gave the commencement address during which he challenged the graduates to live a life of purpose and “do the right thing.”
“If you’re following the crowd you’re in the wrong line,” Ahern said.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
