"Because our school is so small, you have to put yourself out there and welcome people," said Allison Slysz, class valedictorian.
HATFIELD - When the Smith Academy Class of 2011 graduated Friday, every single student in the class received some scholarship or award.
That fact speaks volumes for the cozy school. When there are only 19 of you, everyone is special.
Although the majority of graduates were born and raised in Hatfield, about a third of the class were School Choice students from other communities.
Even the ones who came to Hatfield late in their high school careers were accepted as part of the family, however. That’s also the Smith way.
“Because our school is so small, you have to put yourself out there and welcome people,” said Allison R. Slysz, the class valedictorian.
In fact, the Class of 2011 is even smaller than usual, thanks to the number of Hatfield students who enrolled in private schools. Still, there is a lot of pride among the students and Slysz thanked all the people who got them to graduation night.
“It’s a good school and you get a good education,” she said.
Principal Scott Goldman calls the graduating class “incredibly accomplished.”
“In addition to being outstanding academically, the kids have gone above and beyond doing community service,” he said.
As a tribute to the spirit of good sportsmanship fostered at Smith, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association this year bestowed the Sportsman Award upon the school.
Of the 19 graduates, 18 are going on to college, Goldman said. The other is enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
Giles Hopkins, an English teacher at the school, was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.