The Dana L. West High School Class of 2009 enjoyed a special tribute from Secretary of State and former U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday, June 26.
Angela Dudley, a Day Services program manager and class of '89 alumna, suggested the invitation. From the Amos S. King Bible to this year's reading of the Gettysburg Address, Angela recognized a unique pattern. She pointed out that during the times of King, nearby Auburn's William H. Seward served as Lincoln's first secretary of state. Hillary Rodham Clinton is now serving as the first secretary of state in an administration that modeled its inauguration after Lincoln's. Dudley commented that if Clinton were to participate in our commencement in some way, it would bring our historic year full circle. Within a few short months, the proposed idea became a reality for the Class of 2009.
William Rice, who will be attending SUNY Cobleskill, received the honor to read the letter to his fellow classmates. The letter was a heartfelt and deeply personal greeting from Secretary Clinton. She reminded the students to savor this moment and to never forget the rich community from which they came.
Given our historic year, Clinton added #“you have followed in the grand tradition of Port Byron's vital contributions to the fabric of our nation.#” She illustrated our mark made on a national level by citing some of our notable residents. Eloquently, Clinton gave the students a challenge by adding, #“One of my favorite quotes comes from Eleanor Roosevelt, a personal hero and role model of mine; she said, 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' Today I challenge you to dream, to believe, to work hard and to never stop reaching for the stars! Your future is your own, go out and seize it.#”
Port Byron has always been a community that values education. Looking over our history, it should be noted that an early teaching certificate was issued to Celestia King in 1854. She was a granddaughter of Philip King, the first white settler of Mentz. From the one-room schoolhouses to the modern centralized school, we have produced graduates that have accomplished so much.
In the Class of 1887 was Charles R. Hadden, who would serve 20 years as one of our early postmen. He also cultivated fish on his property here. Anyone who has ever caught a carp can thank Charles R. Hadden for purchasing the species from Washington in the early 1900s and introducing millions of them into our local streams.
Many graduates will continue to live in our local communities and others will travel the globe. The Class of 1884 graduated Dr. Margaret Armstrong Guernsey, who served the far corners of India as a medical missionary. She and her husband, the Rev. Peter Guernsey, returned to the states and taught at several colleges, including Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., Roger Williams University, in Nashville, Tenn., and Bacone University in Muskogee, Okla.
A Port Byron graduate even developed the pneumonia anti-body solution. This was the accomplishment of Dr. Frank M. Huntoon, an alumni with the Class of 1897.
I cite just a few of our former graduates because they say history repeats itself. Secretary Clinton's words ring true as these are all examples of how people from a small town have made a difference. We often take a good education for granted simply because it has been available at Port Byron for more than a century. No matter what your future holds, you are only limited by your imaginations.
Dream big and plan smart, no matter what vocation you choose. Many will continue their education and others may serve in the military to defend our nation, just like so many before you have. What the Class of 2009 will accomplish is yet to be written.
In closing, the best words of advice I can add are the words of a grandmother, a woman who highly valued education. Her most endearing phrase to me was: #“No you have; Yes you can get.#” These simple words represent courage, the courage to ask for all that you desire out of this life. I wish your futures to be healthy, joyous, prosperous, and most of all that you remain committed to lifelong learning.
Congratulations to all of our graduates!
Dawn Roe is historian for the village of Port Byron. She can be reached by phone at 776-8446 or by e-mail at beatatune@tds.net. Visit her blog at www.portbyronhistorian.com
William Rice, who will be attending SUNY Cobleskill, received the honor to read the letter to his fellow classmates. The letter was a heartfelt and deeply personal greeting from Secretary Clinton. She reminded the students to savor this moment and to never forget the rich community from which they came.
Given our historic year, Clinton added #“you have followed in the grand tradition of Port Byron's vital contributions to the fabric of our nation.#” She illustrated our mark made on a national level by citing some of our notable residents. Eloquently, Clinton gave the students a challenge by adding, #“One of my favorite quotes comes from Eleanor Roosevelt, a personal hero and role model of mine; she said, 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' Today I challenge you to dream, to believe, to work hard and to never stop reaching for the stars! Your future is your own, go out and seize it.#”
Port Byron has always been a community that values education. Looking over our history, it should be noted that an early teaching certificate was issued to Celestia King in 1854. She was a granddaughter of Philip King, the first white settler of Mentz. From the one-room schoolhouses to the modern centralized school, we have produced graduates that have accomplished so much.
In the Class of 1887 was Charles R. Hadden, who would serve 20 years as one of our early postmen. He also cultivated fish on his property here. Anyone who has ever caught a carp can thank Charles R. Hadden for purchasing the species from Washington in the early 1900s and introducing millions of them into our local streams.
Many graduates will continue to live in our local communities and others will travel the globe. The Class of 1884 graduated Dr. Margaret Armstrong Guernsey, who served the far corners of India as a medical missionary. She and her husband, the Rev. Peter Guernsey, returned to the states and taught at several colleges, including Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., Roger Williams University, in Nashville, Tenn., and Bacone University in Muskogee, Okla.
A Port Byron graduate even developed the pneumonia anti-body solution. This was the accomplishment of Dr. Frank M. Huntoon, an alumni with the Class of 1897.
I cite just a few of our former graduates because they say history repeats itself. Secretary Clinton's words ring true as these are all examples of how people from a small town have made a difference. We often take a good education for granted simply because it has been available at Port Byron for more than a century. No matter what your future holds, you are only limited by your imaginations.
Dream big and plan smart, no matter what vocation you choose. Many will continue their education and others may serve in the military to defend our nation, just like so many before you have. What the Class of 2009 will accomplish is yet to be written.
In closing, the best words of advice I can add are the words of a grandmother, a woman who highly valued education. Her most endearing phrase to me was: #“No you have; Yes you can get.#” These simple words represent courage, the courage to ask for all that you desire out of this life. I wish your futures to be healthy, joyous, prosperous, and most of all that you remain committed to lifelong learning.
Congratulations to all of our graduates!
Dawn Roe is historian for the village of Port Byron. She can be reached by phone at 776-8446 or by e-mail at beatatune@tds.net. Visit her blog at www.portbyronhistorian.com
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