Page 53 - 1995 Wardlaw Hartridge

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All of you in the Class of 1995 will always have a special place in my heart — my first Wardlaw- Hartridge senior class. We have had an interesting relationship from the beginning. Remember “What's with this Morning Meeting schedule?" Or Senior Off-campus Lunch Privilege — "Why can't we just leave school when we want to?" Or the girls' volleyball team's petition? Or wanting to live in the Senior Lounge, redecorated to your own tastes? You learned that it is possible to have an impact and effect change. I enjoyed watching you grow to understand the value of trusting in a pro­ cess and develop the notion of responsible leadership.
You have such a talented class. I marveled all year at the art work on display in the halls — and
the breadth, depth, and self-confidence that your work exhibited. I enjoyed discussing Antigone
and Zoo Story and rem em bering the excitem ent of invigorating class exploration of difficult issues.
1 remember a basketball record holder; actors who transcended high school productions in their
sensitive portrayals; blood drives essential to central New Jersey's blood banks. You each brought
so much to the school. I hope you will remember that you are, individually and collectively, the
sum of your parts, not one part to the exclusion of others.
1suspect that I will remember you the most for the way that you have responded to challenges. The challenge of football and soccer seasons that could have set a negative tone for the year but did not. The challenge of being the last girls' field hockey team. The challenge of boys' basketball losing several heartbreakers after going undefeated the year before. The challenge of more demanding courses and of making sometimes hard choices among academics and the many competing options: athletics, art, drama, m usic, public service, leadership of the yearbook. Beacon^ and several clubs^ with college applications and your changing priorities complicating matters. The challenge of not always being chosen to be the leader or the star. The signiticant personal challenges that many of you have faced during the past year and in the years prior to senior year. The challenge that you all faced with regard to your classmate^ Bill Ricci.
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I hope that you will always remember how resilient you are, how challenges provided you with a crucible in which to test your resolve and to grow. I hope you will remember the triumphs of Music Man — and the long hours of demanding preparation that made the final product so exceptional (I've seen the video!). Remember how it was that the field hockey and volleyball teams were able to
be successful. You committed yourselves, and when you did, you were outstanding.
Finally, I hope that you always remember that you often overcame your challenges because you had help, because you were part of a community, and that the help you provided to others lightened their load. I remember more than once one of you saying "thank you" to ine and turning a bleak morning into a charming day. I remember one of you so angry, yet grateful for the space to express that. I remember a Morning Meeting expression of thanksgiving for a friendship, made possible by the support of a caring community. I remember encouragement to continue emphasizing school spirit. If you ever have doubts about your worth or your talent, come back and visit. This commu­
nity w ill rem ind you of your accom plishm ents and your strengths.