Graduation day 2007 at DV

Story and photos by Kathryn Braisted WESTFALL n One final delay and then the class of 2007 became alumni. After four long years of homework, late night studying, dances, parties, sports games, events, rallies and weekends that never lasted long enough, Delaware Valley seniors were more than ready to walk down the turf aisle on June 9. Especially so after bad weather predictions had postponed their graduation by a day. Sixteen hours, seven speeches and 451 diplomas later, the Delaware Valley High School Class of 2007 was finally graduated. Dr. Tom Finan opened the ceremonies by describing an impressive list of senior class accomplishments over the past school year. High grades went to the prom and homecoming, great work by DV World, a mock trial, model UN, the Del.Aware, “the most outstanding student newspaper we’ve ever had,” three league championships by the Scholastic Bowl, a new school blood donation record, a HOSA national competition in Florida this summer, and a Relay for Life which raised over $83,000 for cancer research. Class President Keith Fritschie shared some words of wisdom taken from Robert Fulghum’s, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” While Fritschie disagreed with the novel’s premise, he believes that success isn’t physical. “The most successful person in the world is the one that does what he loves,” he said. Class Salutatorian Kaelyn Stadtmueller listed momentous occasions throughout history, including the introduction of the Bill of Rights, and the birth of Kanye West, all of which took place on June 8, the day the class should’ve graduated, she explained. She added a few favorite quotes, including Zig Ziglar’s, “What you get by achieving your goals in not as important as what you become by achieving them.” Another president would follow those parting words, Student Council President Nicholas Troiano. The council president, known for always packing a camera, compared the camera to how life should be lived. “The examined life, as you see, is like that of the complex camera. When you invest your time in what you know will yield a better result, despite how arduous it will seem, it will take time to make sense of everything; but in the end, what you will create is beautiful.” The parting speech was spoken by Valedictorian Skyler Schneider, who will be attending Cornell this fall. Amid congratulations to all and pensive thoughts to characterize a “happy life,” the top student kept his advice succinct. “Have a great life,” he said. Before the diploma ceremony, Dr. Tom Finan alerted the crowd that a special diploma would be given out to Roy Osterberg, the grandfather of graduate Mike Osterberg. Roy left school to support the family and soon joined the Navy in World War II, where he won decorations including the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star and the Asiatic Pacific Medal, with one star. Grandfather and grandson were then both presented with their diplomas. As Simon Zekic was handed his diploma, and a final congratulations was spoken by the administration, the Class of 2007 threw their caps in the air, and with that, embarked on their new lives.