2011 DHS Graduates Break Records

Superintendent Sal Pascarella, Ed.D., congratulated the 2011 Class of graduating seniors and listed their achievements. “You are the class that claims the first Robotics Team to win State and National honors, has National Merit Scholars and a National Finalist chosen from 500,000 high school seniors across the country."

“This is a day to celebrate a job well done,” said Mayor Mark Boughton. “I wish you peace in the hands of God and in the arms of your family.”

Valedictorian Benjamin Altman, who graduated at sixteen years old, spoke about lessons that might, and might not, have been learned in high school while Nicole LoStocco spoke about the lesson she did learn; that success is created with consistent hard work.

 “Perseverance is what led this year's DECA chapter to have four National finalists, our marching band's percussion ensemble to receive the best score in the annual Marching Invitational,” LoStocco said. “Perseverance is what led to more than ten varsity sports qualifying and/or placing in State's and FCAIC. Perseverance is what makes Hatter's Herald one of the best high school newspaper's in the Northeast, and has caused the Peer Leadership Program to help raise more than $200,000 this year for various charities and fundraisers.”

 Many speakers continued to highlight the achievements of this years graduating class, and Principal Robert Rossi, Ed. D., spoke to the students as individuals, thanking them for the time he had spent with many of them. “Most of what has brought you here today is your own creation,” he said.

 There were many Danbury Patch Whiz Kids who graduated today, including the Class of 2011 President of three years, Deyon Rosado. Having attended eleven schools in throughout his education, Rosado said, “DHS is by far the best school I have been to. I am the person DHS has allowed me to become.”

 Senior Alexandra Bukowski spoke of the excitement a kindergartener experiences when they begin school, and of learning simple shapes such as the circle. The circle evolves from polka dots to equations, from stop lights to cosines. The circle becomes a safety net of friends, a social circle, the circle created by the pre-game huddle, the bon fire on warm summer night, the circle of people we love. The circle has no beginning and no end, and in life, what seems like an end, may also be a new beginning.

 Chairman of the Board of Education, Irving Fox, said he would not take too much time as he was the last person standing between the graduates and their diplomas. He asked students to always remember, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

Pascarella ended his welcome by saying the students had accomplished State and National Championships in a number of athletic arenas, extraordinary theatrical performances and was  chosen for their Distinguished Advanced Placement Honor Roll of 2011, leading the Northeast.

Congratulations to the Class of 2011.