SHS 2013 Graduation Welcome Address: Class President Caroline Alix

Board of Education chair, Ms. Lydia Tedone, Superintendent Mr. Matt Curtis, Assistant Superintendents Ms. Erin Murray and Ms. Sue Homrok-Lemke, Principal Mr. Neil Sullivan, Assistant Principals Mr. Steve Patrina, Ms. Eileen Eustis, Mr. Chris Tranberg, teachers, staff, parents, family, friends, and fellow graduates, welcome to the commencement exercise for the Simsbury High School Class of 2013. 

This past year the barrage of frantic questions and pleas was exhausting, debilitating to say the least.  “Caroline, where has all the bacon gone?” “Caroline, do something about the bacon!” “Caroline, we need the bacon!”  “The horror, the horror!”  Fellow students, I extend to you my sincerest apologies.  I was unable to bring home the bacon.  Rest in peace Simsbury High School cafeteria bacon, you will be greatly missed.

As your class president, the fact that the removal of bacon from our cafeteria options was the most pressing issue I’ve had to deal with is a testament to the Simsbury High School Class of 2013’s overall character.  After all, we had to deal with the ramifications of events much larger than food restrictions, events that defined our nation for years to come.  During the fall of our first grade year, when we were only 5 years old, we were forced to comprehend the 9/11 attacks.  During 8th grade we witnessed once of the worst economic crisis since the Depression.  Just this year with Sandy Hook, we have seen the ultimate tragedy that can befall a school.  These events caused us to grow up with a more mature understanding of the world; that it’s not perfect, and that everything cannot be fixed.  Because of this knowledge we have a more realistic expectation of what challenges the world will throw at us in the future, we will be better equipped to handle them, and, most importantly, we are a more united group because of the compassion we have learned through our shared experiences.  We have shown our understanding of the importance of being there for each other, and maintaining an unwaveringly positive spirit through our strong spirit week presence year after year, our staying at school dances until the very end, and our fun, inclusive, and pretty cool senior prank

Thank you Simsbury.  And thank you to all of the family and friends sitting here tonight, all the teachers, and all of the cafeteria staff who prepare a great variety of food despite the lack of bacon.  Finally, thank you to every one of you, my friends, for making the last four years absolutely wonderful, transformative, and worth it all.   

Once again, I would like to welcome you to the commencement exercises for the Simsbury High School Class of 2013.