Among the graduates were Michelle Jackson, valedictorian, and Samantha Zdanowicz, salutatorian.
Greenfield High School held graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2011 at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield on Sunday. Here are (left to right) Class of 2011 Salutatorian Sam Zdanowicz, Class of 2011 Valedictorian Michelle Jackson and President of the Class of 2011 Sarah Cook.GREENFIELD - Ninety-six Greenfield High School seniors became alumni Sunday at an outdoor graduation ceremony at Greenfield Community College.
Among the graduates were Michelle R. Jackson, valedictorian, and Samantha M. Zdanowicz, salutatorian.
Jackson, 18, encouraged her classmates always to be themselves. “I’ve tried to do that in high school, and it has gotten me this far,” she said.
Tolerance and acceptance of others are important, but it’s also important to accept one’s self: “You have better self-understanding and people will react to you better,” she said. “If you’re more confident in your own abilities, you will be more accomplished in your life.”
Being passionate about food safety and eating local foods, Jackson plans to attend Smith College in Northampton to study environmental science.
According to Greenfield High School Principal Donna M. Woodcock, the school’s Class of 2011 is comprised of young people who get along well, embracing one another’s differences and supporting one another’s activities like sports, music and community service.
Woodcock said she has been impressed by the class members’ desire to do well academically; many “stretched themselves,” she said, to take Advance Placement courses in preparation for college.
Seventy-two percent of the graduates are going to college.
The principal encourages the graduates to work hard to accomplish their goals. “Goals are only accomplished through action,” she said. “It’s important to take action to meet goals and take care of yourself, the community and the environment.”
Jackson described her classmates as “a good group,” saying, “We’ll miss each other.”