Millbrook Graduation 2012

MILLBROOK — The 57th Millbrook High School commencement was a day filled with joy. On Saturday, June 23, families, friends and fellow students gathered on the Alden Place Elementary front lawn for a sunny day and a cheerful and musical graduation. Millbrook High School Band Director Craig Fryer led the band as it played “Pomp and Circumstance” while graduates proceeded from the top of the hill at the high school down to the elementary school’s front lawn. The “Alma Mater” was sung by the Millbrook High School Senior Chorus under the direction of Alexis Bresnahan. The music was put on pause as valedictorian Mallory Peterson inspired her fellow classmates with a speech about the importance of pursuing what makes them happy.“As we move on from high school to bigger and better things I think it’s important we keep things in perspective,” she said. “While we may be facing pressure to reach a certain path based upon the stresses of the economy, we shouldn’t forget that being secure isn’t always the equivalent of being happy. It is sobering to think that any day could be your last, but it does not seem like such an intimidating thought when you wake up every morning knowing that you love what you’re going to do.”Peterson will be attending Pennsylvania State University in the fall; she plans to major in bio-engineering and will play Division I soccer.After Peterson spoke graduating seniors Cara Frisina, Mackenzie Whalen and Cristina Deschaine sang “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Millbrook High School teacher John Tringali gave the commencement address. Assistant to the Superintendent Christine Ackerman said that Tringali is a passionate and caring teacher who each day does his best for his students. Tringali has gone on every single field trip the Millbrook High School has to offer its students, allowing him to get to know the graduating senior class very well. His speech referenced many inside jokes and memories shared on these trips, which the graduates clearly enjoyed hearing.Then Peter LaChance, Millbrook High School class president, surprised everyone by singing his version of the pop song, “American Pie,” by Don McLean. LaChance changed the lyrics and sang about going to school in Millbrook with his classmates. He changed the chorus of the song to “Bye, bye seniors of Millbrook High.” Fellow graduate Emily Bida assisted him during the performance. The audience gave LaChance a standing ovation.Superintendent of Schools Lloyd Jaeger presented the class of 2012 to the Board of Education, which presented the diplomas to the students. Onlookers were as excited as the graduates.“I am excited and extremely anxious over what it’s going to be like in September without him,” said Tom Whalen, village trustee and father of graduate John Whalen. “I think I am going to very much vicariously enjoy his college experience. He will be attending Fordham.”Whalen said that his son has been a student at Millbrook Central School District since kindergarten. “He did fine here,” said Whalen. “We always debate whether there would have been some alternative, maybe he should have done this or done that. But in the final analysis here today I couldn’t imagine him graduating from any other school with any other group of kids.” After the graduates received their diplomas they followed tradition and threw their caps in the air, with a sense of relief and jubilation.“What I wish for the Millbrook class of 2012 is that we all find something that we enjoy doing and for us to spend the rest of our lives participating in what we find satisfying,” said Peterson. “The class of 2012 is filled with unique and talented individuals. I am sure these talents will translate into passions. We will face obstacles, of course, but we are all fully capable of overcoming any roadblocks set in our path.”