GREENFIELD — The Four Rivers Charter Public School community shared moments of intense emotion as the Saturday afternoon graduation ceremony married memories of hardship with feelings of empowerment.
In addition to all 35 students receiving words of appreciation from their senior advisors, a series of addresses reached into the Class of 2022’s challenge-infused time at Four Rivers. Obstacles included not only COVID-19 pandemic conditions, but the departure of longtime Head of School Peter Garbus due to a Leukemia diagnosis and a fire that acting Head of School Zevey Steinitz said caused “significant” damage.
Garbus recognized these experiences as “unexpected, unprecedented and possibly traumatic” during a guest address on Saturday. He began his speech talking about his battle with cancer, recounting the struggle to stay optimistic despite the disease having no “silver linings.”
“Still,” he said, “it feels valuable to me to look for any bright, shiny edges of sunlight beyond those dark, gray clouds that could keep us moving forward.”
The second half of his address compared his experience with cancer to the experience of students fighting through the pandemic.
“We had no idea what our high school experience would be like,” he said, looking at the graduates. “Some are calling you the COVID generation. … Have you developed any special powers from such adversities?”
In her welcome address, Steinitz said these “special powers” were evident as the class’ “unique spirit and individuality” has shown through to make a “deep impression” on her in her single year acting as head of school.
“Your ability to handle adversity will serve you well as you go out into the world,” Steinitz said.
Three student speakers followed addresses from Garbus and Steinitz. Elivia Kingsley was first, taking a brief few minutes to recall befriending “the girl with all the confidence in the world” as she acclimated herself to Four Rivers and grappled with the death of another friend.
“When I got home that day, I told my mom, ‘I just got my first best friend. She just doesn’t know it yet,’” Kingsley said, reminiscing about her first day at the school.
Kingsley excused herself as she grew choked up and remained emotional throughout her speech. She spoke about having “found (her) way” through her hardships with support from her Four Rivers peers before passing the microphone to Vivian Goleman, “the girl with all the confidence in the world.”
“Our glue is found in the challenges we’ve overcome together,” Goleman said.
Exuding the pride that Kingsley had described, Goleman used her speech as an affirmation.
“This class has been through so much. Missed so much,” she said. “We deserve to be validated in all we’ve lost, so I’m going to validate you guys.”
Goleman closed out her speech by acknowledging “the privilege to know and love each and every person on this stage.” Student speaker Ashley Schlinger then shared her address, in which she said she has “adored being able to watch (her) classmates grow” over the years.
“I trust that no matter where we go,” she said, “our connections with each other and with the school will hold strong.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.