Salem Observer : graduation

Salem High School seniors step out into the world

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:49:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

The members of Salem High School’s Class of 2009 face exciting opportunities but also challenges in the years ahead, they were told at their graduation ceremony.

But they are prepared to successfully meet those challenges, they were told, because of the education they received.

“Receiving your high school diploma signifies that you have earned a level of success and stand ready to begin the next phase of your life,” Principal William Hagen told the graduates at the Friday, June 12, ceremony.

“The experience has been different for each of you but will serve as a foundation upon which you will build your future.”

Dressed in blue and white caps and gowns, 530 graduates received diplomas at Grant Field as a large audience of proud parent parents, friends and other relatives applauded and cheered.

Throughout the ceremony, graduates heard words of praise and encouragement and were told they have the potential to achieve greatness.

“You can be whatever you want, as long as you believe in yourself,” said Class President Rob Nee, who told his classmates not to allow people’s criticisms and negative attitudes keep them from achieving their dreams. “I am very proud to be part of such an amazing group of students. Today, I am challenging you to take advantage of your freedom. Do something great with your lives and strive to be the best you can be.”

Co-valedictorian Kripa Patel thanked teachers for their inspiration and recalled some of the special memories and achievements of the class during their 714 days spent together at Salem High.

Graduation, she said, is a celebration of the relationships the students had forged and of the time they had spent together. She encouraged the graduates to create great memories for themselves.

“When you finally grab those stars you’ve been reaching for, create even more dreams for yourself and live them out, too,” said Patel.

“When you look back on your life, it shouldn’t matter that you didn’t end up shooting hoops for the NBA or launching a multi-million dollar company or becoming the most gifted actor Hollywood has even seen. What matters is that you do what you love. Be spontaneous. Be creative. Be passionate.”

The graduates had entered the field to the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Class Vice President Jharid Pratt led the audience in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

“The Star Spangled Banner” and “Omnia Sol” (Let Your Heart be Staid) were performed by the school’s honors chorus. The school’s band performed the “Symphony for Brass and Percussion.”

“While we aspire to go our own ways and chase success, we will also never forget the bonds that we have formed with one another,” said vovaledictorian Nick Letizio.

“Though these years together have been primarily for the purpose of preparation for our lives and our careers, they are not years that are easily left behind.”

Every graduate can be successful, Letizio said.

“Congratulations on this momentous achievement – surely the first in a string of many to come. It’s been a great ride, one I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world,” said Letizio. “I have no doubt that we will all make Salem and Windham very proud.”

Graduates are receiving more than $8 million in college scholarships and grants. They are donating parade banners to the school as their class gift.

Over the past four years, Hagen said, the graduates had developed an understanding of the importance of friendship and had learned to take care of each other during good and bad times.

“I am confident that as each of you plan your future and aspire to achieve your own dreams, you will remember that your life will be enriched by the lives you touch,” Hagen said.

Hagen praised teachers for providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, recognized students who are continuing their education, and honored parents and guardians for nurturing, guiding and supporting their children.

Hagen also recognized 14 graduates who will be serving in the armed forces. They received a standing ovation. Fortunately for all the graduates, rainy weather had stopped in time for the ceremony. Dark skies had receded and the sun shone on the field.

“Welcome to New England. This morning, it was 57 (degrees) and raining as we set up,” said Hagen. But now, he said, “We have this glorious afternoon today for our graduates.”

Top two from Salem ready for future

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:05:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

The Trustee Scholarship at Boston University is the school’s most prestigious merit-based award. The scholarship, given to students who demonstrate outstanding academic and leadership abilities, is hard to win but very rewarding: It covers the full cost of undergraduate tuition.

Salem High School’s Kripa Patel, a co-valedictorian of the school’s class of 2009, is a Trustee Scholarship recipient. This fall, she will begin her study of biomedical engineering at the school.

“It’s very exciting,” said Patel, 18, about graduating from SHS on June 12. “I’m going to miss Salem High, definitely, but I’m excited to move on to college.”

While Patel is studying at BU, Nick Letizio, 18, the other co-valedictorian, will be attending Yale University, an Ivy League school in New Haven, Conn.

He plans to major in chemistry or chemical engineering before heading to graduate school for business. He’s thinking about working in pharmaceuticals or a technical field.

The pair reached the top of their class of 540 students while taking some of the school’s hardest classes.

Despite taking advanced placement and honors courses, neither earned less than an A minus – and those were very rare – on their report cards.

“I think for me it’s a lot of self motivation,” said Patel, who lives in Salem. “My parents like to see me get good grades, but they’re not really the pushy kind because they know I care. So they let me do my own thing. So I think it’s my own motivation, and we’ve had a lot of great teachers at Salem High.”

Letizio, a Windham resident, credits self motivation and parents who wanted him to put in his best effort in school for his academic success.

“I always tried to put my best foot forward and tried as hard as I could,” said Letizio. “Then I discovered I’m very type A, very competitive. I don’t like to accept failures. I tried to put myself in a position, as often as I could, to do well in whatever I was doing. It feels good to get good grades, but it’s really more the intrinsic motivation of doing well in a subject and feeling you really understand the concepts and you’re getting the mastery of knowledge that you know will help you later on.”

Both students worked hard and stayed up late some nights doing school work. Letizio said balancing academics with sports and extracurricular activities was a challenge.

Patel admits to pulling a few “all-nighters” – working through the night without sleep – followed by school and track practice.

Patel was attracted to BU for the fine reputation of its biomedical engineering program.

Last summer, she attended Curie Academy at Cornell University, a week-long program for high school girls interested in engineering.

“I could see doing (engineering) the rest of my life,” she said.

A three season runner – she competed in cross country and indoor and outdoor track – Patel also serves as president of National Honor Society, and has been active in Key Club and in the science and tutoring clubs.

She participated in a weekly after-school internship as part of Women in Technology at BAE Systems, and outside of school is a member of Swadhyay, an Indian cultural organization.

Letizio is a member of National Honor Society and the math team, president of the Band Council, has been active in jazz band and winter percussion, and competes in tennis. He’s an Eagle Scout, was a New Hampshire Boys State delegate, and volunteers in his community.

When Letizio signed up to take Chemistry I his junior year, he didn’t think he would like the subject. But teacher Mark Hillner turned him onto the subject and Letizio decided to take AP chemistry his senior year.

“I really ended up enjoying it and wanted to go on,” said Letizio who studied a Chemistry II textbook over the summer at home to prepare for the AP course. “He’s really good at showing people the exciting part of science.”

Like Patel, Letizio will speak at the graduation ceremony before an audience of classmates, and their friends and families.

“It’s really exciting to have a reward for all the effort you put in,” he said. “In the end … to have that honor, it’s really a huge honor. I’m very happy.”