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Weston High Celebrates As The Class Of 2016 Steps Toward The Future

WESTON, Conn. — It was a joyful moment as Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer certified the 206 graduates of Weston High School’s Class of 2016 on Monday evening. Ellen Uzenoff, chair of the Board of Education, then handed out diplomas in the front of a tent overflowing with happy family members.

Superintendent Colleen Palmer leads the processional at the Weston High graduation on Monday.

Superintendent Colleen Palmer leads the processional at the Weston High graduation on Monday.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
Where are you headed? This Weston graduate is off to Penn State.

Where are you headed? This Weston graduate is off to Penn State.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
The Class of 2016's processional heads for the commencement exercises at Weston High.

The Class of 2016's processional heads for the commencement exercises at Weston High.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
Superintendent Colleen Palmer speaking at her last graduation at Weston High. she is leaving this month to take the top job in Westport.

Superintendent Colleen Palmer speaking at her last graduation at Weston High. she is leaving this month to take the top job in Westport.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
Social studies teacher William Moeder speaks to the Class of 2016 at the Weston High graduation.

Social studies teacher William Moeder speaks to the Class of 2016 at the Weston High graduation.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
The diplomas are awarded to the members of the Class of 2016 at Weston High.

The diplomas are awarded to the members of the Class of 2016 at Weston High.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
The crowd settles in under the tent at the Weston High graduation.

The crowd settles in under the tent at the Weston High graduation.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs
The crowd settles in under the tent at the Weston High graduation.

The crowd settles in under the tent at the Weston High graduation.

Photo Credit: Roy Fuchs

The faculty speaker, social studies teacher William Moeder, was a hit with the parents, students and fellow staff members. Chosen to speak by the graduates, he entertained the crowd with about 10 minutes of stand-up, as he hurled a stream of one-liners that mixed wit with wisdom.

He told parents to enjoy their children’s accomplishment — “for two days” — then begin thinking about college. Later, you can stress over their jobs, he said. Then they get married, and you can question whether your son- or daughter-in- law is raising the grandchildren properly, Moeder said. Life moves on, he said, and soon they hand you this piece of paper, “something about power of attorney,” and you find yourself sitting in a small room, looking out at the water.

Turning serious, Moeder noted that 2016 is an election year, and he told the students, “many of you will be voting for the first time.” He told the graduates to “think for yourselves,” and that “too many people read to reinforce, not broaden their opinions.”

He closed by saying, “Your legacy will be how you treat others.”

Weston High Principal Lisa Deorio told the graduates, “You can’t reach your goals without knowing who you are.” She reminded them that wherever they go, “join something, be a part of your community … (and) drop by when you’re in town.”

One of the student speakers, class Co-President David Silverman, told his peers that if they have even a glimpse of an idea, start now and run fast after it. 

In closing, he asked his classmates to thank their parents, and, speaking for all his classmates, he said, “We have the best teachers in the entire world. You are priceless.”

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