Final Hoorah for Monument Mountain Class of 2009
Risk Taking, Getting Lost, and Diplomas Photos by Jonathon DelSordo
 Monument held its 2009 graduation ceremonies at Tanglewood. |
"Risk taking, above all else, in many facets of life is the most influential learning process we can gain knowledge from the outside world," salutatorian Eleanor Randolf reminded her fellow graduates on Sunday.
The sun was shining, and the students were lively during the 2009 commencement. With inflatable beach balls leisurely soaring over the maroon and white caps of the 138 graduates, words of encouragement and advice from fellow students and faculty echoed throughout The Shed at Tanglewood.
The green lawns surrounding Tanglewood's main stage were filled with younger siblings and cousins running about while parents, relatives and friends squeezed themselves into seats under the canopy. As the ceremony began, the Great Barrington school's band ushered the graduates to assigned seats where they patiently — and sometimes impatiently — awaited their diplomas.
Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Donna Moyer reminded the seniors that "marching and marches are a large part of graduation. As you march off the stage today, you will become part of the real world. As you march proudly into the future, we wish you godspeed and good luck."
The words from valedictorian Zane Martin were leaning, as he said, "away from stereotypical commencement speeches." While expressing his appreciation of the faculty and staff of Monument, and of his fellow students, Martin enlightened the crowd with his wisdom and moved them to laughter with his comical banter.
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Assistant Principal Scott Annand stood looking over the vast crowd as it was time for the class of 2009 to gain the official designation of being a high school graduates. As names were announced one by one, Annand's voice was replied to with high volumes of cheering by the entire student body.
The boys were clad in maroon, the girls in white. Stunner shades, bare feet and personal touches to the graduation attire were as evident as ever. The joyous crowd seemed to heave as the diplomas were awarded, the inflatable shark and beach balls getting higher and higher with each continual strike over the graduates' heads.
Some of the most profound words of the day came from Principal Maeve Hitzenbuhler. Her speech told the story of her travels to Kazakhstan and her underlying message of being lost.
"We will all be lost at some point," she said. "You all need to take time, listen carefully to others, and learn from these experiences what will help or hinder you success in the outside world." Concluding the commencement ceremony were the daughters of popular longtime teacher John H. Spencer Jr.
Kathy Erickson and Ann Miller issued their father an honorary diploma for all of his hard work and dedication over the past 40-plus years in teaching, most notably his time at Monument.
