by Chris Stock

Graduation exercises for the Class of 2008 were held on Thursday, June 5th amidst an intermittent drizzle and cloudy skies. Featured were speeches by Principal Dr. Ritchie and students Faraz Butte and Alex Loomis, as well as musical interludes, awarding of a class gift, and distribution of diplomas.
The Concert Band opened ceremonies with a performance of a processional by Edward Elgar and the national anthem. The music was followed by some brief opening remarks by Dr. Ritchie and an invocation by the Rev. Joel Guillemette. School Committee member Mark Collins then delivered a welcome to the Class of ‘08.
A musical interlude was next, featuring Julie Bergstein singing Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” accompanied by David Alderman, Paul Antion, Zachary Bernstein, Prescott Blackler, and Michael Rizzo on instrumentals.
Faraz Butte delivered the first of two student addresses, which focused on the power of L-S graduates to make a difference in the world. Butte asserted that because of the unique qualities of a Lincoln-Sudbury education, it is now possible for members of the Class of 2008 to “change the world” by speaking their minds. He said that what matters most is that L-S fosters an open environment and provides students with opportunities to help others, which has helped them make their voices heard. “It was much more L-S shaping us than us shaping L-S,” he said, recalling events like Compassion Week and groups like Breaking Barriers. Butte concluded that “a piece of L-S will remain in all of us no matter where we go,” and wished the Class of 2008 luck. Following his speech, Butte was presented with both the Faculty Plaque award, which is the highest honor of all senior awards, and the Frank Heyes Memorial Award, as chosen by his classmates.
The second student address was given by Alex Loomis, who investigated the qualities of a valuable education. Reciting his speech from memory, Loomis declared that society look beyond “objective terms” like SAT and ACT scores. “What has been the goal of these twelve years? Is it just college prep?” he demanded. He did not stop at criticizing the college admissions process, however. “The fact that we even would think to measure the value of an education in terms of test scores or college acceptances,” said Loomis, “shows us that there is something fundamentally wrong with society today.” Relating a list of the Class of 2008’s accomplishments and experiences over the past four years, he declared that “none of these experiences were simply ‘exercises’ or ‘means to an end.’ That wasn’t preparation for life; that is life.” Loomis concluded by imploring the graduating class to remain grounded in its experiences at L-S, reject what he called “careerism,” and, quoting German author Herman Hesse, “ennoble [the likeness of man] again.”
Loomis’ speech was followed by another artistic interlude, “Box of Rain” by the Grateful Dead. It was sung by Haley Reimer-Peltz and accompanied by Patrick Gogan, Evan Leblanc, and Alexander Muri. Next, senior Grace Gunderson presented the class gift. The Class of 2008 focused it’s donation on a “healing garden” to the school, she said. The garden is based on the Wellness Hexagon, and is available to all. The class donated additional money to FELS, SERF, and the Class of 2012.
Dr. Ritchie then delivered his commencement address, which discussed the idea of “an L-S thing.” Ritchie mentioned the differences between life at L-S and life at other high schools. Dr. Ritchie concluded his speech with what he said was the best piece of advice he could give the Class of 2008, which was to always look people in the eye and give them a firm handshake.
Graduation ceremonies ended with the presentation of diplomas, and a recessional to the music of Ployhar, performed by the Concert Band.