Nearly three years after its founding, Oxford High School held its first graduation exercises Monday. More than 100 members of the Class of 2010, who began at the school as sophomores, received their diplomas.
“Graduations are always special, but being the first graduating class is downright historic, ” guest speaker Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele told the crowd. Fedele is himself a member of another first graduating class, from Westhill High School in Stamford.
A full audience packed into the high school’s auditorium to witness what school principal Frank Samuelson called a “momentous occasion.” Samuelson has been attached to Oxford High School since the initial conception of the project in 1996.
The ceremony was simulcast in the school’s gymnasium for those without tickets.
The tone of the evening was familial and hopeful. Three student speakers talked about the welcoming atmosphere at their school, and about the talents and unique personalities of their classmates.
“This school has only told us ‘Yes you can,’” said class president Daniel Spicer.
Valedictorian Chelsea Payne focused on the close bond she formed with her classmates. “We all need to pay attention to ourselves,” she said, complimenting her fellow graduates on their friendliness. She urged them to disconnect from Facebook from time to time to be more in-tune with themselves.
The class and parent gifts reflected school spirit. The Class of 2010 donated a stone engraved with a wolverine, the school’s mascot, to be unveiled at homecoming in the fall. The parents donated a framed image of the school with the names of the students and principal Samuelson.
There was a great sense of pride from all of the adult speakers, many of whom had witnessed the project of building Oxford High School from beginning to end.
“I am just in awe of you,” said Rose McKinnon, the chairman of the Oxford Board of Education.
The pride was also evident in the speech from Superintendent of Schools Judith Palmer. She encouraged the graduates to take lessons in dedication and volunteerism from the many people who contributed to founding Oxford High School. Palmer thanked all of the various groups and individuals involved and asked those present to rise and be recognized by the audience.
The superintendent also thanked the students themselves. “It is what you created. You paved the way,” she said.
Palmer received several standing ovations from the audience throughout the evening. Her contract with the school district was recently voided. Her future in Oxford after June 30 is undetermined.
The evening still proceeded on a positive note as the Class of 2010 was congratulated not only on graduating but also on helping to pioneer the high school.
“You have earned your place in our town’s history,” said First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers.
As salutatorian Emily Seibert said, “You underclassmen have a really tough act to follow.”
