By Olwen Logan Published 06/18/08
Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:09 pm

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
The Class of 08 celebrates.

Lyme-Old Lyme High School Principal Jan Guarino-Rhone’s gamble with the weather paid off huge dividends yesterday and the school’s graduation ceremony took place under clear blue skies in the warm evening sun, with no hint of the predicted rain.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)

Following a similar theme, Class of 2008 President Chelsea Binkowski (above) talked about the curve balls life throws, and “Will continue to throw us when we least expect it,” urging her classmates always to, “Follow your heart and reach for your dreams,” even when faced with the unexpected.” She recalled, “Surviving the past 13 years hasn’t always been easy,’ but reminded them always to remember the slogan that has become the mantra of the class, saying, “08 does dominate!”

Guarino-Rhone chose tapestries as her theme, telling the students, “You can view your entire lives as tapestries,” suggesting, “Each color will add to the richness of your life,” but warning them, “Don’t waste a thread.” She concluded on a forward-looking note, saying, “We can’t wait to see what the tapestry will show that you’ll share with us,” in the years to come.

Each year at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, a tradition is followed that allows the students choose a teacher to give their commencement address. The Class of 2008 selected band teacher Jacob Wilson III (above) as their speaker. He reinforced theier choice immediately when he opened with the words, “The tassle was worth the hassle.”

Telling them, “It seems like you were freshmen yesterday,” he pointed out that in the journey ahead of them, they would have periodic chances “to reflect on your life and the roads you have taken.” He urged them “never to lose sight of your dreams,” noting he had traveled many paths, but one path had led to Lyme-Old Lyme High School and, “I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

To laughter, Wilson, formerly a professional musician, confessed that for him, “Playing the french horn in front of 20,000 is way easier,” than speaking in front of the graduation audience of a few hundred. He offered plenty of advice to the graduating students, recommending they should, “Do what you love to do and success will come naturally,” reminding them, “It’s not what you do when you get to the top – it’s how you get there,” cautioning them to, “Put your future in good hands – your own,” and finally urging them to, “Be life-long learners.”

Honor Essayist Emily Kearney (above) commented, “When I think of this class, I am stunned at all of our accomplishments,” but then pointed out to her classmates that they are about to enter a new period of their lives when, “Guidelines will not be given to you – you will have to make them yourself.” She concluded confidently telling them to go out into this new world and, “Be bold. Be powerful.”

Salutatorian Kate Ross (above) said that of all the things she had learned at high school, the most important was ,”The power and importance of laughter.” Mentioning the “astounding” creativity, skill and drive of the class, she then pointed out, “It is the memories that only we share that we will remember … it is the laughs that we will take with us.”

Recalling the charge of Bessie Anderson Stanley to, “Live well, Laugh often, and Love much,” Ross concluded if the Class of 2008 were measured by that standard, it would be “one of the most successful ever.”

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)

In his first few words, Valedictorian Peter Wilczynski set the tone for his witty and upbeat speech, peppered with alliterations, saying that the requirement to, “Condense these 13 years into five minutes is a tricky test.” Describing the Class of 2008 as, “one of the most unforgettable,” he recalled it all began back, “in the cut-throat world of Mile Creek recess,” where the Old Lyme students in the class had spent their kindergarten through second grade years.

Having joined the “big kids in Center School,” Wilczynski said that next, “with multiplication licences in hand, [they] ventured into the middle school.” Generating much laughter throughout, he noted that there they first encountered, “the dreaded Lymies,” but having survived that era, including taking “that stupid baby home in eighth grade,” the class then entered high school and rapidly learned “to adjust regularly to temperature irregularities,” – a gentle dig at the unpredictable heating system in the high school!

Finally, “now as we stand at the threshold,” Wilczynski described their accomplishments as, not only, “the end of a good run,” but also, “the beginning of a great run.” He chose to end with the words not of some great philosopher nor poet, but rather those of Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss), telling his classmates, “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go …”

The class officers then called Jay Wilson (above with Charis Talcott) to the podium again to receive the Outstanding Educator award in memoy of Mildred Sanford, and presented a visibly overwhelmed Wilson with flowers.

Interim Superintendent Dr. John Whritner and Board of Education Chairman Susan Fogliano followed presenting the diplomas to the 126 graduating students, including one to her youngest daughter Nicole (above), and the evening drew to a close with the singing of the Alma Mater and the traditional launch of a sea of blue and white caps into the air.

Editor’s Note: We have included some additional photos below, which we hope help to capture the flavor of a memorable evening.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
Phoebe Lo spies a friend in the crowd.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
Adam Burrows enjoys the moment.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
Joe Rhodes contemplates his future.

Adam Burrows receives his diploma.

A smiling Carly Rando.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
John Glenn accepts his diploma.

A delighted Jesse Bonelli.

A laughing Michelle Kane.

Photo by Kim Tyler. (See more of Kim’s photos at www.ktphoto.net Click on “Events”)
“Yes!” signals Micah Todd.

Just before the turning of the tassles.

Beautiful floral arrangements turn the softball field into a fine graduation location.

We did it … and farewell!