What can you learn from "Yertle the Turtle," "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "Humpty Dumpty"?
To Michael Cydylo, the Salutatorian of THS Class of 2013, the stories teach that THS seems to have been forever under construction and that "anything can be."
"Dig deep and find that inner child," he told the 546 other graduates.
For Class President Christopher LoBosco, the high school construction toughened up the class and prepared it for the many challenges of the real world.
"We never let it interfere with out educations," he said.
Valedictorian Vishakha Negi noted recalled that while tutoring someone in math, she mentioned the country of Libya, and was asked, "What's a Libya?"
She urged her classmates to have "grit" to solve problems and to be "balanced and aware," unlike the student unfamiliar with Libya.
"You can't know everything but you can know what's important," she said.
Be Yourself
School Board Chairman Steve Wright and First Selectman Tim Herbst called on the students to be keep their word and help others.
"You'll be remembered not for what you have but for what you've done," Wright said, adding that they should be true to themselves throughout life.
But he also issued a caveat: "Don't embrace yourself by destroying others. Embrace your foes. It's admirable," Wright said.
Herbst called on the students to be great leaders by inspiring great works from others, noting that not all leaders have titles.
Saying no isn't always popular, but it is necessary, he added. The students should leave "a community that is better and stronger than you found."
The first selectman also honored the eight students entering the military: four in the Marines, one in the Navy, two in the Army and one in the Army National Guard.
"I thank you all for your service to this great nation and I wish you all Godspeed," he said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
