93rd Commencement offers a bit more pomp for 331 grads
Unionville’s Class of 2016 celebrates the school’s 93rd Commencement, Wednesday, at the University of Delaware.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
NEWARK, Del. — With a bit more pomp than previous years and a brief storm-related interruption, Unionville High School graduated its 93rd class, the Class of 2016, at the Carpenter Center on the Campus of the University of Delaware, Wednesday.
In front of a packed arena, some 331 graduates took their first steps toward a larger world, even as thunder boomed and the lights flickered a couple of times during the hour-plus ceremony.
As the first commencement ceremony under new Unionville High School principal Jim Conley, there was a bit more flash: all faculty and administration on hand were in full academic regalia.
Unionville Chadds Ford Superintendent of Schools John Sanville and Unionville High School Principal James Conley take a ‘selfie’ during a brief tech glitch in the ceremony.
The lone hiccup of the day was when a strong power blink — from the same storm that knocked out power around the region to thousands — temporarily shut down the building’s audio system just as Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent of Schools John Sanville was about to speak. As techs worked to restore the sound system, Sanville and Conley improvised and moved to take a joint selfie with the entire class, prompting laughs.
Within a couple of minutes the audio system — and order — was restored.
Conley, in making his first address to graduates as principal, stressed the need for people to be good listeners, a skill that he noted is increasingly rare — a skill that could well be considered a “super power” for the graduates.
Sanville spoke a bit about words of advice that the graduates will encounter, from friends, family and social media. He cited some Internet memes — and suggested not all were created equal, noting examples of true wisdom and others — especially some from anonymous sources — that were lesser so.
Unionville High School principal James Conley advises graduates to listen and learn from others.
Still, in general, they offer some lessons, he noted.
“Life is a lot like these words of wisdom,” Sanville said. “You will experience the good and the bad, there will be humor and adversity, and you will cry and you will laugh. As young men and women setting out to navigate new places and to meet new faces you will be given lots of advice – from your parents, friends, relatives, neighbors, bosses, and maybe the Wawa cashier. It will be well-intentioned and probably mostly useful – as long as you don’t have a friend named Anonymous.”
Seniors Jacqueline Bridges and Elise Covert offered perspectives on their class’ time — for some 13 years — in the district and the changes they underwent. Clarisse Cofrancesco performed a spoken-word poem she wrote.
Unionville High School Educator of the Year Joe Ahart spoke both about his experience with the class of 2016 and circuitous route the former journalist took to teaching English at Unionville, as an object lesson that the story of one’s life can unfold in unpredictable, yet very rewarding ways.
Congratulations to the UHS Class of 2016! Take the blessings of your K-12 education and go make a positive difference in the world. You will make your community, Unionville High School, your families, and most of all, YOURSELVES, very proud. Best wishes to you all.