Pomp and Circumstance: High School Graduates Take Stage at
Tabernacle

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_taberncle_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="180" HEIGHT="270"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

By KATE BRANNEN

Clad in purple and white caps and gowns, 197 graduates walked across
the Tabernacle stage in Oak Bluffs on Sunday and received their high
school diplomas. It was a joyous day for the community to recognize the
accomplishments of the class of 2007 and to give them an Island sendoff
before they leave to pursue their future plans.

Graduate Céleste Bailey characterized the ceremony as a true
Island moment: the Tabernacle packed with proud parents and friends and
an almost cloudless, blue summer sky overhead.

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_audience_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="133"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

"This showed me how wonderful this Island really is,"
she said about seeing everyone come together to cheer on the students.
After growing up here, she leaves in the fall to go to Montreal's
McGill University.

"It's a big step for a lot of the kids," said
Wendy Briggs, whose daughter, Jen Ward, also graduated on Sunday. She
said the students will leave the safe environment of the Island to start
the next chapter of their lives.

For her daughter, this means heading to Salve Regina University in
Rhode Island this fall. For Ms. Briggs, it's a bittersweet moment.

Thanking their Island home was a theme of the day's speeches.
Marguerite Cogliano, student council president, said, "We are not
only leaving our friends, but our foundation."

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_celeste_bailey_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="180" HEIGHT="270"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

She talked about a trip she took to Ireland last year that would not
have been possible without fundraising by the community. Miss Cogliano
said the Island is a unique community that wants to know the opinions of
its students and encourages them to speak out.

Samantha Rabin, class valedictorian and winner of the
superintendent's outstanding student award, agreed, saying that
the Island fosters independence and diversity.

"The Vineyard is so accepting, it's rumored there are
Republicans living in West Tisbury," Ms. Rabin joked.

After growing up in an environment that promotes active citizenship
and public discourse, class essayist Ruby Hoy said, "We are
joining the community of the world. I hope we can add a little bit of
peace and light to it."

Many of the speeches included instructions for life beyond high
school, applicable to the graduating class, but also everyone else in
the crowd.

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_hats_off_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="133"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant superintendent for curriculum and
instruction, told the students to vote, ask questions, travel and infuse
everything they do with passion.

Class salutorian Alida Dean gave more practical advice. "Wear
sunscreen, eat vegetables, floss, reread books, especially Harry Potter,
play with your dog, be kind and don't try to answer all of
life's questions," she said.

Keeping these words in mind, she said she still feels like "a
little sailboat, aimlessly tacking and trying to stay afloat."

The student speakers relied on the words of luminaries from the
fields of science, literature, business and politics to inspire their
classmates. They included quotes from Nelson Mandella, Kurt Vonnegut,
Khalil Gibran, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Margaret Atwood
and Carl Sagan.

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_james_weiss_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="133"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

After the speeches, a performance by the chorus and a presentation
of awards, the roll call of names began and each graduate took to the
stage to accept their diploma. With each name, the audience erupted with
applause and cheers of congratulations.

The Tabernacle stage, decorated with purple and white balloons,
flowers and banners, was a beautiful setting for the day's
festivities. The stained-glass window glowed gold above the stage.

Parents tried to get as close as possible to capture the momentous
day on film.

When the last graduate and master of ceremonies, Tiffany Smalley,
had her diploma in hand, principal Margaret (Peg) Regan presented the
class of 2007, asking them to flip their tassels. The purple and white
caps went flying up into the air while the crowd cheered and cheered.
The Beatles tune and the senior class's song, When I'm 64,
pumped out of the loudspeakers while the new alumni exited.

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2007/06/12/content/jw_ruby_hoy_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="133"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

Marguerite Cogliano had reminded her classmates, before they left to
begin their summers and lives beyond, that "our Island home will
be waiting for us."