Westfield Academy Holds 171st Graduation Ceremony
By Sara Herrmann
POSTED: July 3, 2008
The Westfield Academy and Central School held its 171st Annual Commencement on Saturday, June 28th. Fifty members of the Class of 2008 received diplomas.
Major David Appel, a 1977 graduate of Westfield Academy and Central School and a pilot in the US Air Force, gave the Commencement Address. He was introduced by School Superintendent Mark Sissel.
Appel urged members of the Class of 2008 to seek out the opportunities that life after high school holds and offered the graduates several words of advice. He called on them to not be afraid of failure and to see failures as a “steppingstone to greatness.” “Some of you have never failed,” he said. “Others of you, like me, have overcome multiple failures before finding success. Those of you who have not failed, fear not, you will.” He reminded the graduates that Thomas Edison created over a thousand light bulbs that failed to work before he finally made one that did work. “Don’t be the guy or girl for whom it is said ‘they consistently met the low standards they set for themselves’.”
He also urged the graduates to never compromise their integrity and to make relationships their top priority. “Don’t let the greatest thing you have ever done or will ever do be your resume,” he said. “There are many great accomplishments in life you can look forward to, but in my mind, having a family, taking care of them, being self-sufficient, loving deeply and being loved, are the greatest accomplishments that can ever be found in this world. How you treat people will be remembered long after you are gone, not how many cars you owned or the size of your house.”
Appel also reminded the graduates to roll up their sleeves and get involved in the community. “You are the community,” he said. “It’s your turn to be in charge of this world. Will you take the actions necessary to take care of your planet? What you do will affect the future, even if you do nothing.”
Finally, Appel urged the Class of 2008 to seek spiritual truth. “Discover what you believe and why, and live according to the truth you find.” He received a standing ovation.
Class Valedictorian Zachary Tennies and Salutatorian Caitlin Ballerstein addressed their fellow graduates. (See page 6 for the full text of their speeches)
School Board President Stephen Zanghi presented the following members of the Westfield Academy and Central School Class of 2008 with diplomas:
Evan Abele, Alexandria Aguilar, Chayanne Aguilar, Danielle Anderson, Jade Anderson, Caitlin Ballerstein, James Brosious, Robert Brown, John Colin Cailey, John Cettell, Nathan Chapman, Donald Eckman, David Flore, Tyler Freeman, Michael Fusco, Cassandra Geiger, Evelyn Gonzalez, Zachary Griffen, Erin Guest, Shane Hemmer, Stephen Kelly, Timothy Kelly, Andrew Kimbel, Tessa Kolibar, Valerie Lamb, Ryan Lehman, Samantha Leone, Natalie Luder, Chelsey MacCubbin, Brittany Mason, Breanna Meleen, Rachael Missel, Nathan Myers, Lisa-Marie Nowell, Timothy Orlando, Cassandra Paternosh, Anthony Quagliana, Danni Riley, Lincoln Riscili, Taylor Roberts, Alicia Sanderson, Jordan Sanderson, Jamie Scarpine, Jill Scarpine, Christopher Schuster, Zachary Tennies, Michael Testrake, Stephen White, Kaylee Wilson and Tayler Woodward.
n See photos page 7
