Schools
Lakeland High School Graduation 2011
Class graduates 99.999 percent of seniors, and an estimated 85 go to college.
Lakeland High School's class of 2011 commencement ceremony was held at the Westchester County Center Saturday, where 304 graduates -- nearly 100 percent -- of the 2011 class would receive their diplomas and officially move to the next phase of their lives. An estimated 85 percent of the class will go to college. But it's the kids behind the statistics that make their parents proud.
Katelynn Marie Bridget Champagne’s mom, Susie, said, "I always considered Katelynn a blessing and today is a continuation of that blessing. She came into this world as a gift from God… She has taken every step with pride and joy, and she gives her best to everything that she does. She is an amazing young lady.”
Katelynn, a varsity softball pitcher, a recipient of Section 1 honors and a National Honor Society student, will be going off to Binghamton University, where she plans to study biology and hopes to go to medical school.
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As for her future, Katelynn said, “It's exciting, we are moving on in life. It’s sad because your leaving everyone behind. I won’t get to see everyone that I care about everyday. But it’s so exciting to go to college, move on and start the next journey in my life.”
The beginning of that new life started with a walk down the aisle accompanied by bagpipe music, a standing ovation by family and friends, and introductions and speeches given by the educators who guided and mentored the students for four years.
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Principal Cheryl H. Champ, an educator for 18 years, congratulated the students, but spoke of being careful in how they lived their lives. “Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” she said, quoting an unknown author.
First-year Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Stone’s speech took a touching and personal tone. As he spoke of the enormous and generous response the community gave him and his family after the loss of their son, he reminded the graduates how quickly time passes, and they must be grateful for their families' support along the way. He congratulated the students on giving him a great first year as superintendent and praised them as a group filled with integrity, maturity and courtesy. Lastly, he wished them “good health, happiness, love and long life.”
Leo Guttmann, the class valedictorian, took the stage to loud applause. He talked about not settling in life but continuing to grown and improve, which he intends to do when he enters Harvard University in the fall.
"There will be an adjustment period, but I know I will be happy there, also,” he said.
JoEllen Guttaman said her son had always been driven when it came to learning. "It’s always for the sake of learning and not for the grades. That’s why he did so well. The grades were a consequence," she said.
His father, David Guttman, said some of Leo’s determination comes from his brother Klye, who is blind and deals with many challenges. Leo and Klye are very supportive of each other, he said. Aside from sharing some similar interests, Leo has tutored Klye in his studies.
For all the Lakeland High School 2011 graduates, their futures seem full of promise, thanks to a solid foundation that has been carefully built.
