Groton High School’s Class of 2024 “beat the heat”

Despite the unseasonable swelter we all experienced last week, Groton Jr/Sr High School’s (GHS) principal, Brian Kavanagh, welcomed the families and friends of the 57-member graduating Class of 2024, who filled the bleachers on Ross Field for the 147th commencement ceremony on Friday evening, June 21.

As the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” rang out, the class marched across the field and took their seats.

Class President Drew Bush led the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered his welcome speech, which was peppered with famous movie quotes that he used to emphasize things learned at GHS and advice for the future.

Using a quote from “Forrest Gump,” Bush said, “Forrest says `My momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ And that’s true, you really never know what you’re gonna get. One of the greatest things that we can take away from our time at high school is our ability to adapt to any situation.”

Nick Gamel, class salutatorian, spoke next — with thanks to his parents, classmates, teachers and everyone involved in equipping the class with the tools they will need to be successful.

“Although we are all here as graduates tonight, it means something different for each of us,” Gamel said. “We’ve all had obstacles of one kind or another to overcome throughout our school careers. For some, it may have been shyness, for others math, or science, or writing, or maybe P.E. [physical education] class was just the worst. Whatever your roadblock was, you made it. You fought through your fears and made it to the finish line. I think that is really what education is all about. Finding out not only where you excel, but where your weaknesses are and pushing through them, anyway.”

Beginning her speech with similar expressions of thanks to those Gamel had conveyed, Jaden Wolf, class valedictorian, went on to encourage the class to “embrace the unknown with open minds and a healthy dose of humor.”

“Today isn’t just about the diplomas we’re clutching like they’re winning lottery tickets. It’s about the messy, hilarious journey that got us here,” Wolf said. “We’ve pulled all-nighters that made us question our sanity and shared inside jokes that could probably rival sitcom scripts. But beyond the laughter and occasional chaos, high school has taught us resilience.”

Next up was a rendition of “Alma Mater,” sung by the GHS Chorus, and the Groton Community Band followed with its performance of “Hymn for Band.”

Superintendent Margo Martin was the final speaker before the diplomas were awarded, delivering an analogy about driving a car to drive home (yes, that is a pun intended) her advice to the class.

“Drive with the windows down. Letting your hair blow in the breeze can be pretty cathartic. Sometimes issues that seem to be taking up so much of our time just need to be blown away,” Martin began, and then went on with a number of equally clever analogies before ending with “Finally, don’t forget that every good driver glances in their rearview mirror every once in a while — not necessarily to turn around, but to be reminded of where they came from. Groton will always be there, in view, should you decide to come back home.”

After receiving their diplomas, Bush led the class in the traditional turning of the tassels, caps were tossed, and the following graduates were ready to embark upon their promising futures:

Kairi Adsitt, Reagan Allen, Aiden Avery, Delaney Ayer, Mottie Baker, Tyler Baker, Justin Batzer, James Berry Jr., Brynn Blasz, Caitlin Bodary, William H. Booth III, Tanner Brown, Drew Bush (class president), James Bush, Michaela Canady, Emily Cargian, Jadyn Craig, Megan Cute, Jayven DeJesus, Cody Dennis, Savanna Dixson, Elizabeth Dykeman, Nicholas Gamel (class salutatorian), Julia Garcia, Nicholas Hall, Matthew Hayes, Lacie Hilker, Nichole Irving, Dominic Jump, Michael Lane, Taryn LaTray, Sharla Lockwood, Dominic Mackey, Cory Marsh, Alexa Miller, Garritt Moffitt, Carter Naginey, Sandtrea Peer, Madalyn Perkins (class vice president), Lia Perreault, Devin Portzline, Jordan Roberson, Arianna Rumpff (class secretary), Andrew Saam, Destini Sallis, John Sanford, Parker Schofield, Jane Sharpsteen, Gianna Shepardson, Abigail Sill, Anna Simoens, Jeannette Thomas-Brown, Trenton Walker, Christopher Welch, Jaden Wolf (class valedictorian and treasurer), Bethann Wood and Jacob Zigenfus.

The plethora of scholarships, awards, earned college credits from Tompkins Cortland Community College, extracurricular and sports involvements and plans for the future of each of these students is truly astounding and would never possibly fit in the confines of this column, but Kavanagh announced them all to thunderous applause for each graduate.

Congratulations GHS Class of 2024 — your community is very proud of you!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Groton fireworks

The Groton community fireworks show, proudly and generously sponsored by the Groton Fire Department, along with the village of Groton and Joint Recreation, will launch Friday, July 5 at the Groton Elementary School field.

The Food, Music, and Fireworks Show will begin at 6 p.m., with music by DJ Dale and food trucks from Holy Smoked, Fred Hot’s, Mega Moo’s Ice Cream and Youth Sports Concessions.

Donations to help defray the cost of this annual spectacular display would be gratefully received at GFD, P.O. Box 96, Groton, NY 13073. Please make checks out to Groton Fire Department.

Teen Time at the Park

Groton Recreation will sponsor Teen Time at the Park for youth aged 12 to 17 at Groton Memorial Park on Sykes Street every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., beginning July 10. Come and participate in sports, crafts, board games and more!

Park pavilion rental

The Groton Memorial Park pavilion is available to rent for birthdays, family picnics, special events and more! Call the Groton Village Office at 607-898-3966 or visit Groton Recreation: Facilities (myrec.com), to reserve that special date. You will need to sign an agreement and pay a deposit.