PINE PLAINS — Fifty-eight Stissing Mountain High School graduates and families gathered for Commencement on Saturday, June 22.
After playing of the Star Spangled Banner, the event began with remarks from Amie Fredericks, the Board of Education president. Her creative use of song lyrics intended to blueprint a successful future, “...to me music is the one language that touches everyone regardless of what type of music we listen to. So I’m hoping that by stating these song lyrics they stick with you.”
Next, Superintendent Brian Timm, addressed the graduating class of 2024, commending them for their intelligence, athleticism, leadership, and service-oriented skills. He encouraged the graduates to embrace challenges using a mental model from Peter Senge’s “The Fifth Discipline,” emphasizing the importance of defining current reality and future visions.
Salutatorian Nicholas McPherson pointed out the potential present in the small yet mighty graduating class during his speech. “We have future medical professionals, engineers, collegiate athletes, therapists, cosmetologists, electricians, world travelers, police officers, lawyers, and of course, teachers.”
The final speech came from the Valedictorian Elizabeth Hieter. Hieter set forth her perspective on service and how she thinks it should be dealt with. “We should serve the community because the people we serve have value. So the next time we volunteer at a food pantry how about we don’t tell anyone about it,” she said.
Following the choir’s performance of The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” the presentation of diplomas was initiated by Principal Christopher Boyd along with Fredericks and Timm.
