'Our generation will make history'

CENTRAL VALLEY — On a cool breezy Friday evening the Monroe-Woodbury High School held its 67th commencement for this year's 551 graduates.
And for the first time in many years, the ceremony was held on the football field and the view from the stands with rolling hills of Harriman State Park and the Purple and White of the Crusaders was magnificent.
The processional, led by Principal John Kaste and Assistant Principal Heath Yarmus, wove its way down the hill from the high school to the field at 6 p.m.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem (by the Monroe-Woodbury Voice Ensemble), Kaste and then Superintendent of Schools Elsie Rodriguez offered messages of hope and challenge.
Then the North Main Fifth Grade Select Chorus brought tears to many an eye with the young singers' rendition of Lori Mckenna's “Humble and Kind:"
Hold the door say please say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind
Senior Class Robert Colbath offered a message of appreciation. Shannon Hiner gave the Salutatory address and Kathleen Riegner followed with her Valedictory remarks.
And following the awarding of diplomas, the moment arrived to fling their mortarboards skyward: These young men and women had graduated.
- William Dimmit