Honored Guests, Board Members, Fellow Administrators, Parents, Teachers and Our Class of 2016!
In 1939, a movie was released that has since become an icon of American popular culture. Written as a musical comedy-drama with much of it based in fantasy through its use of a dream sequence, it became known for the many basic life lessons that were woven through its storyline. The biggest lesson was learned by a little girl named Dorothy. That film, as you know, was T he Wizard of Oz, and the lesson Dorothy learned was, “There’s no place like Home.”
Putnam Valley Seniors, you will leave your home here today with your diploma in hand and your dreams ready to become realities. Every one of you can’t wait to meet the next experience that life holds for you! Each of you is eager and ready to set out on your own adventure, your own journey to Oz, and the path you will follow is your Yellow Brick Road.
But, before you open the door, take your first steps and leave, take a moment and look around you. Look at your classmates sitting next to you. Who has been the devoted Scarecrow, the beloved Tin Man or Cowardly Lion for you? Who has been with you through thick and thin? Now, look at your family and friends sitting in the stands. Who has provided you with that same sense of security that Dorothy felt in her own home. Look at the school that was your educational home. Many of you have told me how much this school has meant to you. Savor this moment, savor the familiar, savor the KNOWN. You were truly blessed here, weren’t you? You had phenomenal, caring teachers here at Putnam Valley High School. I saw many of them at the prom last night celebrating with you. (Coach Elsasser, Ms. Nater and Mrs. Tarkington to name a few..) You had extraordinary facilities here, and you had a tremendously supportive community here where parents took joy in participating in activities to help you. Whether it was fundraising for the Touchdown Club, or cooking for Making A Difference Day or preparing for the Senior Breakfast, your parents and community have shown their love and support to you. Will it be easy to find that elsewhere? Pause carefully before you leap into the adventure that is your life and appreciate what you have been fortunate enough to have.
And as you travel down your own yellow brick road, know that like Dorothy, challenges lie ahead. But, know that like Dorothy who had her loyal group of supporters. So, do you! Know that whatever lies ahead your friends, your teachers, your school and your community will always be here for you!
But, before you begin that next big adventure, let’s reminisce for a moment, though, and look back on some of the big events from this past school year:
- This was the first year that Putnam Valley had not one, but TWO, Assistant Principals. (Weren’t YOU lucky?)
- For the first time, students went on internships through the Journey Program.
- We had two amazing student performances: the fall drama and the spring musical, Death of A Salesman and Me and My Girl
- We had a NYS NYSMMA trumpeter!
- This year also saw the addition of the Senior Week celebration
- As far as athletic accomplishments, let’s list a few:
- The Varsity Soccer team won its league championship
- the Varsity Football team made it farther in the playoffs than ever previously in school history ..
- Both the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball teams won their league championships and got to go to the County Center
- The Cheerleading squad went to States
- The Wrestling team went to States
- Both Softball and Lacrosse did amazing in their respective playoffs
- And, of course, the Make-a-Difference club won the Optonline 5K charity championship!
- Lastly, and perhaps MOST IMPORTANTLY, this year the Seniors recaptured the Color Wars Championship!!!!!!
Today, each of you is Dorothy. Your adventure down your Yellow Brick Road begins now. Follow it carefully – make it special, make it fantastical, make it memorable. You’ll encounter many unusual characters along the way, no doubt. Some will be kind and some will be mean, but I ask you now to look for the valuable lessons and life truths that each will teach you. Every experience that you have will have value, if you stop and examine it.
Do remember, though, that if, like Dorothy, life carries you far in both distance and time, you can return here, to your roots, to your Home, True happiness can always be found in your own back yard, because there’s no place like Home.