High school memories! Ah, yes, `The Good, The Bad, and the ...Funny?' Mr. Cacciapaglia, known as Mr. `C' to students, was my English teacher my senior year in 1981 at Madison High School in Vienna, Va. (I find it cool that our school colors at Madison were red and black, same as Grants High!) We used to drive Mr. C crazy in class with our talking, clowning around, and the such. Mr. C, from Grecian culture, never got mad. He would just stare at us with a rye, close-mouthed smile, then shake his head as if to say, `Oh, why did I ever get into teaching?' Sometimes, he would look upward as if imploring the heavens to take him into another time and place - like the Shakespearean period. Mr. `C', you see, loved the works of William Shakespeare, perhaps the greatest writer of all. And it seemed like all we ever studied was Shakespeare. Oh, yes, he also loved students memorizing other great literary passages or speech's - like Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. In front of the whole class, students would give it their best shot `Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth ...' I remember making it halfway through Lincoln's great Address before my mind went blank.
Mr. C., wherever he is, would probably pass out if he knew I had become an English teacher.
But Mr. C was beloved by his students, who would ultimately, for the most part, buckle down and do their work. Short and pudgy with straight black hair and black rimmed glasses, Mr. C, usually attired in a Mr. Rogers' style sweater of the time with slacks, truly, deep down, loved his profession and students. I will always fondly remember Mr. C.
Next week, the evening of Friday, May 16 at 6, this year's Grants High School Class of 2025 will celebrate their graduation commencement ceremonies at the campus' state of the art gymnasium center.
'I think it's obviously a big step in life, and it shows our accomplishments during our time at school and a lot of growth too,' said GHS senior Maura Galindo, of upcoming graduation night. 'We started as a bunch of kids and have turned into young adults.'
What will she remember most, say, 10 years from now? 'It would be the friendships I've built throughout the years, especially with my best friend Hailee Chavez and all the memories, all the stupid things, all the fun things we did.'
Galindo's Class of 2025 has a white rose as its class flower and its class song is `You're Going to Go Far,' by artist Noah Kahan. Maura helped pick the class song. Some of the lyrics go, “So pack up your car, put a hand to your ear. Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are.”
'This summer I'm going to spend with my family working and continuing to build my future,' said Maura, an upbeat, fun-loving gal who will turn 18 three days after graduation. 'I plan to be a radiology technician.'
Graduation at GHS always feels magical. One senses, as proud family and friends of the graduates pour into the new gym prior to the ceremonies, the vibes of a special night. There is just a different, wonder-like feel of a glorious evening that will always be remembered.
One-hundred seventyplus GHS graduating 12th graders will walk across the stage. They will be given their diploma, wave to loved ones, and return to their seats among their fellow classmates. They will have the well deserved diplomas - a well-earned certificate which can never be taken away - in their hands. The world for the graduates, perhaps even at that moment, will be forever changed. A brave new world will be ahead.
Yes, the next phase of life will soon begin. Hopefully, each will experience a short season of enjoying and taking in their great accomplishment of finishing high school. Some well-deserved restful time or an upcoming summer vacation perhaps, time with friends, family, and good times.
Eventually, each will begin a new phase of life post high school education, vocational training, military entry, or the working force. So, in a way, high school graduation is just the beginning. For many, the years ahead will bring marriage, children, movement around the country or beyond, dealing with both hardships and good times.
But graduates, please know forever onward that the administration, faculty, staff, and all school employees at GHS have never wanted anything but the best for you. Faith over fear, graduates. Be the best you can be.
Graduation Day' (The Beach Boys, 1964)
There's a time a for joy A time for tears A time we'll treasure through the years We'll remember always Graduation day At the senior prom We danced 'til three And there you gave your heart to me We'll remember always Graduation day Though we leave in sorrow All the joys we've known We can face tomorrow Knowing we'll never walk alone When the ivy walls Are far behind No matter where our paths may wind We'll remember always Graduation day We'll remember always Graduation day