On the Monday before graduation we host a dinner for seniors and their families and teachers. This year it was at the Vassar Alumnae/i House. Before they were inducted into the Alumni Association and presented with their personal PDS laundry bag, there was time for a little roasting and lauding.
Here – on request – is my doggerel verse – execrable rhyming but with all the best intentions. And yes, I know the lines don’t scan – it’s all in how you say them.
So – with love, here it is:
A Farewell to Seniors: Senior Dinner June 2010
Ladies, gentlemen please cease your chatter
I am here to speak of people who actually matter.
‘Tis a group of young people you’ve known from back when
This wonderful class of two thousand ten.
You’ll have to forgive my doggerel verse
But just think – there are a few things actually worse. (root canals come to mind)
Truth is – when it comes down to the crunch
You’re great group of kids – a mighty fine bunch.
On the stage, in sports, in music and art
In service and science you all played your part.
When you were in ninth grade -four years ago
We wrote a vision – just so you know
Take a look at those words and compare them to you
I think there’s a match – that’s my personal view.
They portray young people as ready to thrive
With honesty, compassion, energy, drive
Some say missions are just empty blah blah
But listen to this – and then shout “Hurrar”
“Creative, flexible learners for life
Who connect with the world and work against strife
Intellectually curious, creators of knowledge
Ready for living and not merely for college.
Educated citizens with a passion for learning
Towards ideals constantly yearning
Communicate well, and commit to community
Think globally, with ethics and seek peace and unity
Know themselves well have a compass that’s true
Optimism and courage in all that they do
Take on the lead and inspire all others
With equity and justice if you had your druthers.”
So as we close our 75th year
Time to say farewell to some we hold dear.
I’ve said it before – and I’ll say it again
Something special ‘bout the class of two thousand ten.
It’s that time when – for better or worse -
I give my tribute in execrable verse.
So as I sat and wrote these slovenly rhymes
It came to me clearly innumerable times:
This is a class from beginning to end
That we thoroughly like and sincerely commend.
So here are the kids of whom we are proud
We love you all and can say it out loud.
For each of you in quite unique ways
In classes, activities, performances, plays
Have set a high mark that others can follow
Soar high above like a skylark or swallow.
In leadership, tolerance, what it means to belong
You’re connected, inclusive, welcoming, strong.
And now I turn my attention in rhyme
To each one in turn for a moment in time.
Nory:
Activist, artist a fighter for a cause,
Nory’s achievements deserve our applause.
Winner of medals, athletic scorekeeper
Her commitment to justice could not be deeper
Ardent, dynamic with passion contagious
Willing to take stands with acts quite courageous.
An actor, a writer and notable poet
Nory’s a force and you just better know it.
Emory:
Three season athlete for all four years
Emory Crane deserves all our cheers.
How fitting it was to see him raise up
The Ultimate Frisbee championship cup.
I know you are proud of your deep Ozzie roots
But also I hope of your many pursuits.
A deep love of physics and a passion for sports
We’ll miss you and your signature shorts.
Heading south for college is more than a wheeze
Makes sense if you don’t want freeze off your knees.
Emory – you’ve been tireless day after day
Competitive drive’s in your DNA
Thanks for your work before each school year
In helping us prepare, get the school into gear.
Emma:
Now Emma’s a singer and an actor too
On stage and off we’ll really miss you.
An activist of compassion for Love 146
Just one more component of an extraordinary mix
Of dedication, talent and character as well
We admire what you do – as I think you can tell.
On stage and off, in art and in science
Peer counselor and as a lead in Alliance.
Angus:
Angus is a musician and plays violin
Draws people to him and pulls them right in.
In the role of Hank Williams you cast a real spell
As a man doomed to glory and destined for hell.
With bow held aloft, violin at the chin
You’re always there with a smile with a grin.
You revived the old time musical band
Injected new life into a tradition so grand.
Skilled in music though he undoubtedly is -
Foot tapping tunes and the whole music biz -
It’s in character too that he shines like a star
Kind friend, wise counsel, one who’ll go far.
Caia:
Caia is someone who knows how to connect
With so many talents you just have to respect.
Organizer of happenings, fundraisers, fun
Go to Caia if you want something done.
Social dynamics is part of her style
And she does it all with a laugh and a smile.
A writer of fiction accomplished and true
There is so much we know she can do.
On stage she performed theatrical parts
And over the years earned a place in our hearts.
Erin
Erin is a student quiet in her ways
But no less deserving of all of our praise.
Disciplined, talented, wonderfully bright
In all that she does she takes great delight.
Slavic folklore at Vassar and Model UN
Always seeks challenges time and again.
A wonderful smile is what I saw often
Would make the hardest heart reach out and soften.
Shelby:
Now Shelby’s a student been here since she’s four
A mathematician, scientist and oh! so much more.
She edited yearbooks, took part in the plays
Activities and leadership filled up her days.
Always committed to standards she set
And then exceeded and not merely met.
Alyssa:
When you have a name lucky as Alyssa
It’s just made for the phrase: “We’re gonna miss her!”
Well in this case the truth is there in the rhyme
She’s been generous with her head, her heart and her time.
Peer counselor, reader and writer of fiction
A lover of movies, calmer of friction
Alliance member, peer counselor too
You bring such deep caring to all that you do.
Ryan:
Here’s a young man, earnest and true
Devoted to art and talented too
Ryan’s a person of judgment mature
And whatever the mistakes, the intentions are pure.
In our community he’s helpful and warm
Earnest and caring and always on form.
His depth of thought and devotion to art
Mark him unique and one set apart.
The work he created was varied and striking
And very much to my way of liking.
Lina:
With an ethical compass steering her way
Lina’s a success at school, work and play.
A captain of hoops, mainstay of soccer
Quietly determined – nothing can block her.
Edit the yearbook? Paddle the river
Lina’s a thinker, a doer, a giver.
A passion for science, actor, musician
In the great test of life you pass the audition.
Linda:
Although Linda’s not one to sing her own praise
Gentle in action and quiet in her ways.
Intelligent, determined, hard working and kind
She’s as good of a person as you’ll ever find.
She loves to write fiction and there you can hear
A voice that speaks out loudly and clear.
Earnest in seeking what’s equitable, fair
Linda’s been active in doing her share.
Eva:
So – here’s a young person of tremendous endeavour
You can tell from the rhyme I intend to say Eva.
She’s a star in the classroom, a star on the stage
With impact on others difficult to gauge.
It was in the fall when she picked up a clue
And she took on the task of community glue.
She organized outings and made all grades feel
They were included in this common weal.
Friday night fun – left no body out
Now that’s taking action – let’s give her a shout.
Suri
Suri is someone who speaks her own mind
Does the right thing and always is kind.
Challenges and problems leave her unphased
Calm through them all while others get crazed
With an incisive mind, integrity high
Sophisticated thinker who likes to know why.
Keeper of bees, counselor of peers
A sure success in multiple spheres.
Michelle:
Michelle is a person of passion and verve
She always takes life right out on the curve
Her strengths lie in science but this also is true
She can succeed at what she wants to do.
But there’s one quibble that I have to make
An error of judgment, a real bad mistake
Concerning a creature – spiky and small
That when approached curls into a ball
The hedgehog it is that I do declare
Belongs in the wild and not in her care.
But with that great crime now off the book
Let’s list the qualities I overlooked
Michelle’s got a mind sharp as a tack
With so many talents it’s hard to keep track.
In volunteer work she does her part
And her service to others shows she’s all heart
Clay:
Now Clay is a person stands out from the crowd
He’s a student, friend, and relative of whom to be proud
He’s an athlete, musician, an excellent scholar
And if you want help, just give him a holler.
Generous to all, and unstinting friend
Clay’s interests are wide and seem without end
His passion for poetry led him to start
A literary mag full of poems and art.
Zoe:
In any test of emotional IQ
Zoe would be there at the head of the queue.
She’s one of those people who gifts quite astound
So very attuned to those all around.
A singer in Sidereal, stage performer with zest
In all things possible Zoe gives it her best.
Community leader, a voice strong and true
Zoe I know you’ll thrive at what you choose to do.
Dare:
Ardent debater, captain of soccer
Creative, determined, little can rock her
Peer tutor, scholar – she’s really got game
Dare is a person lives up to her name
A critical thinker with intuitive grasp
Of subtlety, incision, the needs of the task.
As a leader and a friend for all four years
She is respected by all of her teachers and peers.
A scarlet woman, trailblazer for sure
For you a bright future is right at your door.
Denali:
Now let’s speak of Denali quiet in his ways
Whose work speaks out in a glorious blaze.
The eye of the artist whose portraits of you
Were acts of affection and remarkably true
Denali loves math, engineering and chess
Areas where he has extraordinary prowess.
In diverse fields and I am sure it is true
That we will hear more in the future about you.
In an act of imagination typical of yours
Is the sculpture in the lobby of college brochures.
It’s a heavyweight item that I know will grace
Your dorm room in college and take pride of place.
So folks that’s it this class twenty ten
A wonderful bunch of women and men.
But oops – Did I just make a mistake?
Left someone out oh! for heaven’s sake
What to do now? I’ll just have to wing it
Blah blah blah blah and something ing it.
So there’s one last person too important to matter
In this kind of silly insignificant chatter.
He requested a speech praising him to the sky
Putting him on a pedestal mighty and high.
That’s all very well William and I would comply
But your very brilliance has blinded my eye.
William – it’s true you are superior to all
It everything possible you stand strong and tall.
Leaper of buildings, you cured every disease
Each word and action is destined to please.
But now – here’s the truth so cover your ears -
In spite of your awards for your scholarly brain
Most notable is how you laugh like a drain.
Urban Sprawl, jokes and political action
It’s all quite enough to drive one to distraction
But above all else you’re a regular mensch
In the great game of life you won’t sit on the bench.
So there’s one more thing as you go on your way.
Important to me, to PDS so I say:
If you have valued your time here at school
Don’t be a stranger – that’s totally uncool
If this was a place where you were able to grow
Think about letting others in on the know.
Our vison for you includes this last line
- Acknowledge the role of Poughkeepsie Day School in their lives and sustain its legacy
That means your support and I hope you’ll agree
To cherish this school and its legacy.
Keep it alive with your words deeds and dollars
So others can follow you as PDS scholars.
I’m sorry if to some that comes across crude
As not appropriate, crass and quite rude.
But we know you will all work for the good
Once in awhile think of us if you would.
Schools don’t make widgets – no assembly line
It’s you we produce – unique, brilliant and fine.
Thank you.
