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Graduation 2009
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Graduation Events June 12th, 2009
Senior Class 2009 [PhotoCredit: RAY MONGEAU/Laconia Citizen]
***************************************************** By CASONDRA MARDEN Saturday, June 13, 2009 Without caps and gowns but armed with red balloons, members of the Sant Bani School Class of 2009 made their way down to Allen’s field for the last time as students, where the audience of family and friends gave the class of 14 a standing ovation in recognition of the students’ many accomplishments. Math Teacher Chris Demian started off the graduation ceremonies with a few jokes and memories he has of the students. He said they “filled the halls with laughter” and recalled one time when he said to a student that there were not enough leaders in the class to get work done. The student replied that there were plenty of leaders but not enough followers. Demian believed that held true of the small class. Head Librarian and English Teacher MaryAnn Sanborn told the students that they were a “fantastic” class with many awards and achievements. She said the class has volunteered over the years to clean the school, do a mural, walk for breast cancer, knit hats and even made 34 dog beds for the N.H. Humane Society.
Nathaniel George Houran thanks all of his class teacher
and especially the English department for ‘helping me talk so good’ — to a roar of laughter . [PhotoCredit: RAY MONGEAU/Laconia Citizen] “This is not the class of small ambitions,” Sanborn said. “We believe they excel because they love a challenge.” Sanborn also affectionately talked about the senior prank that occurred last Wednesday. The class stuffed the school’s studio with 800 red and purple balloons which they then hid in. She said throughout the day younger students kept coming up wanting a chance to play in the room. She said the prank was “a gift of joy.” After a blessing from Sant Ajaib Singh, which he had written before his death, and the handing out of diplomas, the students were given the floor to recall memories and reflect on their time spent at Sant Bani. Jade Tonjunpong, who will be returning to his native Thailand to attend Silpakorn University International College, said he was very grateful for everyone who has helped him, especially his host family, to which he said his “debt to you is beyond measure.” He spoke of America as a beautiful country and Sant Bani as a wonderful small school. Nate Houran will be attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He said he has been a student at Sant Bani since he was in kindergarten, which he said is a long time. He humorously talked of his classmates and how it was “quite a group to grow up with.” Pato Matovelle, who will be returning to his native Ecuador to attend Universidad del Azuay, was excited that his parents had made the 5,000-mile trip to see him graduate. Because of that, he switched back and forth from English to Spanish so his parents could understand. He said he “left family and friends and came to a new world” where he found a great host family, great teachers, and great friends. He recalled when he found out he was to get the opportunity to go to Sant Bani: “I never imagined a school like this,” Matovelle said. “When they said there was 170 kids, I thought that they meant in the senior class.”
MaryAnn Sanborn with ‘Words to Graduates’ talks about the
class’ journey together though their senior year and a senior balloon prank that turned out to be great fun and enjoyment for everyone at the school. [PhotoCredit: RAY MONGEAU/Laconia Citizen] Matovelle said that, in Ecuador, he usually is part of a class of 50 and was surprised when he and another student were the only two in a physics class. Carissa Anderson, who is going to Connecticut College, said she was home-schooled until she came to Sant Bani in the seventh grade. Six years later, she said, she got a wonderful education and the idea that everyone is inherently good. She said, “Sant Bani will be a hard act to follow because they have set the bar so high.” Rose Darrell said her friends and family were the best she could ever ask for. During her speech, she presented a compilation of memories which she said made her believe in the cliche that high school years are the best years of your life. She will be taking a year off before attending Newbury College in Brookline, Mass. Aynsley Doyle will be attending Colby-Sawyer College at its Florence, Italy, campus in September. She said her parents and Sant Bani made her who she is today. She also said she has been to other schools but “these kids are my favorite.” She said her father still humorously calls the school ‘Santa Banana’. Jillian Dykstra will be attending the University of British Columbia-Okanagan in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She moved from British Columbia when she was nine and had been home-schooled until then. The first thing she remembers is that she had to take a placement test and, because she was a little behind on reading, she was forced to repeat a year of school. She said she was really upset about it for a few years but that, when she accepted it, she had a lot of fun with the class of 2009. “Each of you in your own, unique way are going to do great things in the world,” Dykstra said to her classmates. She also took the time to thank her family and teachers. She said her father sacrificed a lot for her and that he is “the rock that I have been anchored to,” and that her mother is “the force that drives me.” Sarah Fox, who will be attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, made an apology to her father for being as stubborn as he is. She thinks back to her years at Sant Bani and sums them up as “more fun than I can imagine.” She wanted her classmates to remember that their friendship does not end as they go off to different colleges. Hannah Gilb will be going to the University of New Hampshire in Durham where she looks forward to finding her freedom and being able to make her own choices. She said, “I’m on my own now and I know it.” She is known by her classmates for her use of puns. Angela Humphery wrote a poem to the senior class about how there will never be anyone like them. She said her classmates are “the voice of my world” and that Sant Bani is everything to her. She will be taking a year off before going to Hallmark Institute of Photograph in Turner Falls, Mass.
Aynsley Dolye speaks to family and friends of the school.
[PhotoCredit: RAY MONGEAU/Laconia Citizen] Rachel McCarthy, who will be going to Allegheny College in Meadville, Penn., next year, said graduation was perhaps the first and the last time that everyone she loves is in the same place. She said she knew when she came to Sant Bani that it “would be my second chance, but I didn’t expect it to be my second home and my second family.” She said deciding to go to the school was the best decision of her life. Alec Peters, who will be going to Colby College in Waterville, Maine, next fall, said he has changed in two major ways since he came to the school in kindergarten. First, he no longer wishes to marry his sister and second, he has finally accepted that he has to go to college. He recalls his best memories of when he was doing track and cross country at the school. He has always thought of leaving Sant Bani but “the people behind me have kept me here.” Today, he said he is ready to start the next part of his life. Benjamin Pollak will attend Lakes Region Community College in Laconia. He said that, when he goes to college, “If I meet a group of kids that mesh as well as we do, I’ll be good.” He also said a little to each graduate about the bonds they have built over the years. “I will always be proud to be part of this class,” Pollak said. David Sell, who will be attending Keene State College, has been attending Sant Bani for five years. He recounted three stories of his time at the school that make him feel a sense of togetherness. He said that, even though they are a prep school, they still know when to have a good time. He said his “only regret is that I didn’t enroll sooner.” After the comments from the senior class, Science Teacher and Running Coach Scott Clark said a prayer for the class, hoping they will remember to be strong, respectful, and to be heard rather than to be seen. The class and the audience then sang “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan before taking an alumni picture and having refreshments. Principal Kent Bicknell said, “It was the best class for making class into a conversation.” He also mentioned that this is the 32nd graduation that the school has seen, with a total of 308 graduates. The Class of 2009 Jade Tonjunpong, Nate Houran, Pato Matovelle, David Sell, Jillian Dykstra, Alec Peters, Sarah Fox, Angela Humphrey, Ben Pollak, Carissa Anderson, Rose Darrell, Rachel McCarthy, Aynsley Doyle, Hannah Gilb
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