Graduating HVRHS seniors emphasize importance of ‘the human connection’

Graduating HVRHS seniors emphasize importance of ‘the human connection’

Essayist Lola Moerschell talked about life being a series of trapeze swings at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School graduation Friday, June 13.

Patrick L. Sullivan

FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School Principal Ian Strever said secretary Cindy Fuller, speaking with admiration of the class of 2025, summed it up perfectly when she said, “It’s great to know so many good people are going out into the world.”

At graduation ceremonies Friday night, June 13, the constant theme was the accomplishments of these 99 students; academically, athletically, socially and civically and what an outstanding class it was.

Standing on the front steps of the school on a beautiful spring evening, Strever said next week the building will return to bricks and mortar when these students, “who are vibrant, exciting and Dunkin-fueled” are gone. He spoke of the endurance portrayed by four members of the class who faced tragedies and incredible challenges, but handled them with courage beyond their years.

Region One Superintendent Melony Shanley-Brady assured the graduates, “Housatonic will always be a part of you.”

Salutatorian Tess Marks chose to speak on the subject of humanity, noting the international and domestic strife now being faced. “We are the hope of what is to come.” She said compromise is a lost art, with people only hearing, but not listening. “Don’t let the differences pull us apart. Why can’t they bring us together? We’re all inherently different, but that is what makes a successful community.”

As they always do, the two AFS students, Carlos “Charlie” Castellana Cruz from Colombia and Allegra Ferri from Italy, spoke with deep gratitude, emotion and eloquence about the year they spent at the school and how welcomed they were made to feel.

“Everything Housy did for me will go wherever I go,” said Cruz, while Ferri said, “This year reminded me of the human connection.”

Essayist Lola Moerschell talked about life being a series of trapeze swings.

   Elinor Wolgemuth decorated her graduation cap with a colorful scene and the words “To The World We Dream About.”Patrick L. Sullivan

Valedictorian Manasseh Matsudaira gave a touching tribute to his dad who died this year. He said he was so engrossed in the college application process, he couldn’t bear to watch the 19 videos his father had recorded during the last year. “I missed the opportunity to bond and connect with my father.” He urged his classmates to not let ambition get in the way of relationships with others.

Matsudaira moved the audience when he said his dad, who was ever-present at all his soccer game, was not there to see him make an impressive goal.

  Valedictorian Mannasseh Matsudaira spoke of ambition and relationships in his speech at HVRHS graduation Friday, June 13.Patrick L. Sullivan

The class chose Peter Vermilyea, the social studies department chairman, to be guest speaker. Using a phrase found in the school song written decades ago by Hattie Travis, he focused on the “greater work” that the students will do in their future. “Not more work. Not harder work. But greater work — work that matters. Work that impacts the world around you.”

Vermilyea said looking back will allow them to remember their firsts, so when the greater works ahead feel intimidating, remember them and reflect on the progress made.

“Look to what you and your classmates have achieved, collectively and individually, to understand what greater work is...Along the way you have demonstrated — and taught all of us about curiosity and enthusiasm, leadership and mental toughness, kindness, bravery and determination. You’ve shown each other and the rest of us what it means to be a community. And that’s no small thing,” Vermilyea said.

The Good Sportsmanship Awards went to Daniela Brennan and Kyle McCarron. The Good Citizenship Awards to Tess Marks, Madeline Collingwood and Elinor Wolgemuth. The Chamberlain Arts Achievement Awards to Andy Delgado and Ellanor Karcheski.

David Moran, head of the agriscience department, was presented the Community Award of Merit.

Latest News

Ruth Franklin discusses ‘The Many Lives of Anne Frank’ at Beth David

Ruth Franklin and Ileene Smith in conversation at Congregation Beth David in Amenia.

Natalia Zukerman

Congregation Beth David in Amenia hosted a conversation on the enduring legacy of Anne Frank, one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures. Ruth Franklin, award-winning biographer and critic, shared insights from her highly acclaimed book “The Many Lives of Anne Frank” with thought-provoking questions from Ileene Smith, Editorial Director of the Jewish Lives series. This event, held on July 23 — the date Anne Frank would have turned 96 — invited the large audience to reconsider Anne Frank not just as the young writer of a world-famous diary, but as a cultural symbol shaped by decades of representation and misrepresentation.

Franklin and Smith dove right in; Franklin reading a passage from the book that exemplified her approach to Anne’s life. She described her work as both a biography of Anne Frank and a cultural history of the diary itself, a document that has resonated across the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prokofiev, piano and perfection: Yuja Wang at Tanglewood

Yuja Wang performs with the TMCO and Andris Nelsons.

Hilary Scott

Sunday, July 20 was sunny and warm. Nic Mayorga, son of American concert pianist, the late Lincoln Mayorga, joined me at Tanglewood to hear Yuja Wang play Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16. I first saw Wang on July 8, 2022, when she filled in for Jean-Yves Thibaudet on the opening night of Tanglewood’s summer season. She virtually blew the shed down with her powerful and dynamic playing of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

Nic was my guest last season on July 13, when Wang wowed us with her delicate interpretation of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. We made plans on the spot to return for her next date in Lenox.

Keep ReadingShow less