The Thrill of Graduation: Greenwich High School Class of 2015

On Thursday night the 637-strong Greenwich High School class of 2015 enjoyed a balmy 70° rain-free graduation ceremony in Cardinal Stadium.

Graduation speaker Bob DeAngelo, the former executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich reminisced a bit. “Forty years ago tonight I was in your shoes here at graduation,” he said. “I truly loved my time at GHS in the 1970s. Many of my best friends in life today are buddies from GHS. Back then I looked up to many teachers, guidance counselors and coaches I had because they really cared about us.”

Bob DeAngelo, GHS class of 1974 and his classmate Tom Michaud at the graduation of the Class of 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

“I was 18 once, but you have never been 58 yet,” DeAngelo said. “Let’s have a little fun here sharing some messages that I think you already know: Go to Life! It does not come to you!” he said, adding that young people are well advised to believe in themselves. “Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone,” he said. “Ask people for help and directions on the trail and tell them the peak you want to get to. They want to help you but you need to tell them where you want to go.”

“Carry your own backpack in life,” DeAngelo said. “You pack your own backpack with the skills you need. Pack light and travel fast.”

DeAngelo, who is a pilot, ended with a metaphor for flying.

“At GHS, you have been rolling down the runway. Tonight you pulled back on the stick and you got airborne. You are flying now. You are off the ground! Ram your throttles to full afterburner and pick up more speed and climb high. Look out the canopy and see your wingmen — me, your teachers, your family and friends — who believe in you and trust in you. There is so much out there, and it’s coming fast. Get out there and get it all.”

Bob DeAngelo and Matheus Chaves at the GHS class of 2015 graduation. Credit: Leslie Yager

GHS Headmaster did his trademark countdown with 15 fun facts for the 637 members of the class of 2015, including: Students hail from 35 countries, sent 437 out on internships, created 119 senior projects, speak 17 languages and racked up 1,951 AP courses (a record for Greenwich High school).

“And, you are the first class to practice your SRO theme “Senioritis,” well in advance, and well after the production,” he said, adding, “How you got me to sing is still a mystery to me. You will be the first class, and the last class to accomplish that feat.”

“You proved that 17 and 18-year old’s are perfectly happy to give up parking at school so that a new auditorium that you will never use, will be built,” Dr. Winters joked.

Dr. Winters also spoke of character. “You’ve all heard the phrase, ‘Character is who you are when no one is looking,’ How true. Strength of character derives from an inner sense of what is right. In addition I’d like you to to think about character as who you are when others ARE looking.”

“When you pass others, do you look up and say hello?” Winters asked. “When you go through a door, do you think about the person behind you and hold the door for him or her? When you finish eating, do you clean up after yourself? Well, we’re still working on that one.”