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A sea of red took over the Patrick Gymnasium on the UVM campus as students from Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) walked to their seats to begin CVU's 46th commencement exercises last Friday, June 18.

Francesca Blanchard, Margaret C. Dunsmore, Jesse French, and James Neiley, all from Charlotte sang a moving rendition of the national anthem. Their voices blanketed the audience as they softly harmonized together and set a calming mood over the crowded gymnasium. A loud cheer followed as the last note was sung.

Sean McMannon, Principal of CVU introduced each senior speaker. Sean Keenan of Shelburne began his speech confessing the contemplation required when informed he was chosen to make a speech reflecting his intellect and maturity. "I began to question what I would possibly say to all of you who I consider to be my friends," said Keenan. "Wait, wait a second - that is not right. Friends, yes, but something much more than that, all of you, class of 2010, are my family." Keenan expressed how CVU has become a family to him as opposed to just an institution where education is acquired. He focused on individual teachers as the "mothers," whose kind spoken words have inspired him, or the "fathers" who have taught him to become stronger. He addressed those "aunts" who have enlightened him and the "groovy uncles" that have shown him how great life can be.

Keenan then spoke to his fellow graduating students and friends. "We are the siblings united and all with each other to achieve our goals." Keenan concluded his speech much like any farewell with family members, saying, "I love you all."

Isaiah Cory was introduced next and began his speech by informing the audience that a rainstorm was about to ensue. He assigned each side of the gymnasium with a task: snapping fingers, stomping feet, or rubbing hands together. When all was orchestrated under his leadership, the sound of a storm ensued.

He chose to leave his fellow classmates with instructions to think hard, try harder, and love hardest. "Think hard. Anything worth believing requires our concentration. Any action you make deserves reflection," said Cory. "Try harder. There is always an opportunity to push the limits and always an opportunity to shy away... continue cultivating your gifts in everything you do." Lastly, "love hardest...smile often, give freely, and be there for someone in need."

After allowing the "storm" and his advice to settle upon the audience, the last student speaker, Sasha Gunther, was introduced. Gunther began her speech with a story of a boy named Leo who was behind the normal curve of learning. Although Leo did finally bloom and succeed in his own time, Gunther focused on the reality that Leo succeeded at his own pace. "Not all of us thought we would make it here today, but just like Leo, we took our own paths and made it here in our own time and in our own way," said Gunther. She left the seniors with advice to find their passion and follow it, but not to be afraid to change.

After 33 years teaching, new retiree, Vincent Crockenberg, CVU's instructor of American foreign policy and U.S. government and politics, delivered his final class lecture at the commencement, "What it means to be a contributing member of a democratic society."

Crockenberg's speech dealt with lessons he chose to impart to the Class of 2010: liberty is imperfect, equality is inevitable, and people must recognize this and realize how far we have come as a nation. Democracy is hard work; young people must vote and are the sole providers of their own understanding of the issues at hand. Women must step up and become equal participants in politics. Not only are we citizens of Vermont, but also the United States; in order to learn about the country we must get out of Vermont and travel.

Crockenberg informed the students that although they do not have to participate in heroic acts to make this country more just and free, they are required to contribute something, "some will do more, none of you should do less," urged Crockenberg.