Deerfield Academy class urged to 'connect the passion'

[ Originally published on: Monday, May 28, 2007 ]

DEERFIELD -- Margaret G. Robinson told her peers at Deerfield Academy Sunday to connect the passion of their ''Deerfield days'' with all of the challenges awaiting them as they graduate.

''Imagine the collective influence this incredible class will have on the world,'' said the graduating senior from Sunderland. ''But, it would be a sad thing if our Deerfield days were truly our most glorious.''

There's a lot of skills, personality and creativity coming out of this class, she said.

The academy graduated its 208th senior class Sunday morning with friends, families, relatives and teachers all in attendance to watch the 189 graduating seniors receive their diplomas. The day was perfect -- temperatures in the 70s, blue skies and a gentle breeze blowing throughout the ceremony.

Hundreds gathered under a large tent behind the school's administrative building. The Deerfield Pipers led the processional as young women dressed in white, each carrying a long-stemmed yellow rose, and young men dressed in navy blazers, walked their last walk as academy students.

Daniel G. Piemont of New Jersey, the other student speaker, said when he arrived at the academy four years ago he felt like a misfit and made his mother leave to buy him new clothes before entering his dorm.

''Now I'm saying goodbye to some close friends,'' he said. ''When we leave here we'll be college students, struggling in an attempt to find meaning in life. Deerfield has made us great.''

The two student speakers were followed by keynote speaker William H. White, mayor of Houston, Texas, and father of one of the graduating seniors.

He told students they've each had an extraordinary opportunity at the academy and each has achieved a lot.

''But, no matter how important your job ends up being in life or how important the responsibility is that you are given, never think that means you are more important than any other person,'' he said. ''Too many measure success on how much they've accumulated rather than how much they give.

''I want you to know that I've learned more from the people who served lunch than those who came through the lunch lines,'' he continued. ''Take a real interest in people, not just out of politeness or duty.

''Your proudest moment should not be your own personal accomplishments or how much money you have in the bank, but how you have helped others,'' he said just before students received their diplomas.

Franklin County Deerfield Academy graduates:

Ashfield: Orion Eli Sauter, cum laude.

Conway: Jeremy Nathan Goldsher.

Deerfield: John Nicholas Davey, Michael Anthony Davey and Anna K. Dohrmann.

Erving: Peter J. Bernard cum laude.

Greenfield: Justine Elyse Covey.

Millers Falls: Daniel K. Dillenback.

Montague: Dominic J. Viadero.

New Salem: Dylan William Flye.

South Deerfield: Matthew Paul Eddy and Liang Yi Wong, cum laude.

Sunderland: Margaret G. Robinson, cum laude.

Whately: Susannah Fadiman Colt, cum laude.

The following Franklin County graduates received awards:

Erving: Peter John Bernard Jr., The Robert B. Crow Award for the outstanding scholar in the senior class, the John B. Dicklow Award for Excellence in the study of classics, the Bartlett W. Boyden English prize.

Sunderland: Margaret G. Robinson, the John Gunther Memorial Award in science and an award for excellence in computer science.

Deerfield: Anna Katherine Dohrmann, and award for excellence in dance and choreography.

Margaret G. Robinson of Sunderland and Orion Eli Sauter of Ashfield received awards for participation in the academy's theater program.

 

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