The Greatest Moments

Good evening administrators, school board members, teachers, parents, staff and most importantly – graduates!  It is an honor to stand before you this evening.  Today marks the completion of a very significant accomplishment on our part.  Through the good times and the bad, our class is a tight knit bunch.  The future is bright for this group of talented, gifted and diverse students.  Someday, we will become the nation’s best athletes, musicians, teachers, doctors and public servants.  Someday, we will sit back and think about what shaped us as people and how we got to where we are today.  I’ve thought about moments in our high school lives that affected all of us.  So, here are the top five greatest moments!

Moment Number One: The sudden sound of a jackhammer interrupts a discussion on ancient civilizations.  We are used to these distractions.  Over the years, we grew fond of the small recess yard, cockroach-infested locker rooms and the old building that was Radnor Middle School.  Our class began to bond well before we arrived at the high school.  In sixth through eighth grades, we learned how to stay focused despite the massive construction project happening just a few yards away.  The hard hats, “keep out” signs and construction workers did not stop the Class of 2011 from getting to know and caring for one another. 

Moment Number Two: It’s September 4th, 2007 as we walk through the doors of Radnor High School, our home for the next four years.  Teachers welcome us to the building, blowing bubbles, singing and sharing their excitement.  Inside, we meet a man who plays a key role in our life at Radnor High – Mr. Schellenger.  Our class is the first to have been led by Mr. Schellenger for four consecutive years.  Affectionately known as “Schelly”, Mr. Schellenger brings a real sense of home to the walls of Radnor.  He has been approachable, understanding, and respectful of us.  His leadership has helped us grow into responsible young adults, ready for our college years.  In return, all Mr. Schellenger asks is that we work hard, play nice, and pick up our trash.  Thank you for making our experience at Radnor one we will treasure for years to come.

Moment Number Three:  “A Moment Like This” from American Idol plays as our crowd goes wild.  Mr. Radnor is center stage, taking a bow and receiving his crown.  As sophomores, our class founded the Mr. Radnor Pageant.  Three years later, the event drew over 400 students and raised over $3000 for charities.  Organizing the pageant taught us how to see a big event through, from start to finish.  We learned a powerful lesson about giving back to the community.  Although many students attend purely for entertainment’s sake, our donations have made a significant impact.  Together, we have empowered children in Angola, assisted hurricane victims in Haiti and supported the Radnor A Better Chance House.

Moment Number Four:  Radnor’s gymnasium is packed and the excitement is contagious.  The entire student body cheers as balloons fall from the ceiling.  Cheerleaders do backflips towards a thirty-two foot pirate ship.  The seniors are ecstatic, exchanging hugs and high-fives.  Our whole school looks forward to Lower Merion Week and the Lower Merion Pep Rally.  Hallway decorating, spirit days and a bonfire are only a few highlights that make this season so memorable.  This year, our class took on the LM Tradition with an unprecedented motivation.  Contract negotiations, changes in leadership and uncertainty marked the first few months of school.  The rumor mill was abuzz. For a short time, even I doubted that we could pull off the Pep Rally.  However, we approached the week and rally with great enthusiasm and perseverance.  Together, we choreographed our own dance numbers, held our own meetings, sold our own t-shirts and filmed our own video.  In the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we changed a longstanding tradition.  Together, we learned what it means to be Radnor Proud.

Moment Number Five: The final moment of our career in Radnor Township Schools is tonight.  Today is the ultimate celebration; a day when our hard work at Radnor comes to a bittersweet end.  Each moment of our time here has taught us valuable lessons.  We have learned that perseverance, combined with dedication and passion, will get us there!  No matter where our lives take us, we will always have one thing in common – we are the Radnor High School Class of 2011.  We are indebted to the many teachers, administrators, counselors, coaches and other adults who have shaped us into the promising young people we are today.  We know how good it feels to give back to our community.  Together, we have matured into a unique, gifted and awesome group of young men and women.  We did it!  Congratulations to the Class of 2011!