The following is my Commencement Speech to the Pequannock Township High School Class of 2023. I have had the privilege of having this group of students since sixth grade when I was the Principal of PV School. It is truly an honor to stand before you tonight as the Principal of Pequannock Township High School having the opportunity to speak to the sixty-fourth graduating class of Golden Panthers. To paraphrase our outstanding Senior Class President, Tyler Denton….buckle up…..here we go. This ceremony is a tradition unlike any other in our community and it is one that symbolizes the dedication and commitment to scholarship, citizenship, leadership, service and character that our students have demonstrated during their time in the Pequannock Township School District. However, this year, really does have a little Deja vu feeling to it doesn’t it? Besides seeing a second member of the Durr family give a speech as Salutatorian in a three year span, for many of you sitting here as graduates and audience members, four years ago I stood in front of you at your 8th grade ceremony, ready to send you off to high school by providing you with what I felt were some words of wisdom that would help you be successful. Then…..at your freshman orientation….…..surprise! I came to high school with you! Your first day of high school was my first day……and tonight, on your last day of high school I am proud and will be forever grateful to say that you are my first four-year graduating class as Principal of Pequannock Township High School and the only group in my career that I will have had for seven full years. I will fully admit that I am not ready to say goodbye. In fact, in practicing this speech I have gotten choked up every time so I apologize if my voice gets shaky. Although you saw that today already. The past two weeks, spending time with you on the senior cruise, the senior sunset and the last two graduation practices, the reality that this day was coming really hit me hard. For the last seven years you’ve always been there. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow into tremendous scholars, accomplished athletes, talented musicians/artists and actors, and community builders. You are a class that enjoys being together, you look out for one another, have fun with each other and you have led PTHS out of some of the toughest years in our history. During these past few events, I just liked hanging out with you. As we walked off of Memorial Field together for the Senior Sunset, it stood out to me, that I’m not going with you this time. Yes, it probably sounds too sentimental and incredibly corny but hey, you’ve had me for seven years. Would you expect anything less? And no, Tyler, as you wrote in my yearbook, I don’t think you will see me as your Academic Dean at Rutgers. High School commencement ceremonies are usually a celebration of accomplishment. It is the culmination of, for many, a thirteen-year journey of schooling. It is the recognition of the efforts made by our graduates inside and outside of the classroom and the support provided from their families, friends and teachers. It is a moment, to pause, reflect and share in the many memories that have been made together as a collective group. However, as you have learned in your English and World Language classes, the meaning of words are critical to understanding the context of a story. As I’m sure you are aware, the term commencement actually means “beginning.” Tonight is really a celebration of the beginning of the rest of your life’s story. To be honest, I don’t have any words of wisdom to share with you that I haven’t already shared with you over the past seven years. Instead, I want to share with you a few observations and lessons I have learned watching you as your Principal that I believe are the foundation for the beginning of the rest of your life’s story as you leave this field tonight. You learned that learning is a precious gift and you shouldn’t waste it. I remember when most of you were in 6th grade and you thought that learning your locker combination was hard. Although, since many of you haven’t used your locker in four years, it might still be. What I observed is that you didn’t know how valuable learning is until it is almost taken away from you. Your ninth and 10th-grade years were as far from normal as one can imagine. As Tyler so eloquently thanked his ceiling fan, I think we can all agree that through all the trials and tribulations we all learned something about ourselves and how we learn best. What I appreciated most about this group was when PTHS returned to “normal” you took full advantage. You challenged yourselves in the classroom and you revitalized our extracurricular groups and clubs. From Student Council to Chess Club to FBLA to Robotics, you have followed your passions and left a legacy for the classes that follow you. This group collectively makes up one of the largest in the school’s history in the number of AP tests taken over a four-year period. You are the first group of graduates of our four-year Allied Health Academy and the Teaching and Learning Academy. This class is made up of Eagle Scouts, EMTs, and first responder volunteers. You took full advantage of what you could learn inside and outside of the classroom. Thanks for learning along with me as we navigated this journey together. Don’t ever take learning for granted. You led with intention, direction and connection. This class has been gifted with tremendous leadership. I would be remiss if I did not mention the senior class officers and their tremendous efforts over the past several years to make your senior year the best year possible. They always wanted what was best for you and their direction and communication were outstanding. Who would have thought that selling popcorn would pay off the prom and senior cruise for many of you! However, leadership came in many forms. I observed leading through self-expression, individual talents, helping a fellow student who might have been having a bad day. I observed team captains picking up your teammates. I saw you leading community service projects, and saw those who led by example in the classroom showing up every day and putting in work. You worked together to benefit each other. You raised each other up and in turn raised us up as a school. Leading with intention, direction and connection will be something that I will remember from the class and will be something that will benefit you tomorrow and moving forward. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Don’t be afraid to lead. We need you now more than ever. I’ve aged a lot in seven years…..I’m going to need you to lead me one day when I’m older. “We before me.” This happened to be the motto of this year’s Group 1 state championship baseball team but it is also something that I learned from watching you. Nothing was more evident being down 4-0 in the first inning of the state championship last week and the group rallying together with everyone contributing to the success of the team. As I look out at each and every one of you, you all, in your own way, contributed to the success of the entire class. It was never about your individual accomplishments. It was always about making your team, your club, your class, your friends and our school better. Surround yourselves with people who will bring out the best in you and in turn you will bring out the best in others. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. While this is actually a quote from Roman philosopher, Seneca, it is something I learned watching you. This group has accomplished so much. There is no way one can count the number of times this group has heard the words, “good luck” as they took a test, prepared for a big game, competed for a national championship, performed a school play, or submitted a college application. In this group are sectional and state champions, national marching band champions, AP Scholars, a National Merit Commended Scholar, MCVT graduates, STEM, Allied Health and Teaching and Learning Academy graduates, all conference/all county athletes, a state champion power lifter, school record holders and the list goes on and on. You made your own luck because you were prepared when every opportunity came your way. You gave it your all, worked hard and you never gave up. As you begin the next phase of your life. Stay prepared. Take advantage of every opportunity. Remember the individual and group successes that got you to those moments. I’m going to close my speech tonight with the same message that I gave you four years ago. In that speech, I talked about what I wanted you to be ready to do when you got to high school. I charged you with the task to be ready to create hope… Four years later. The charge remains the same. Don’t ever believe that you can’t make a difference. It is our hopes that shape our future. I have watched you for the past seven years grow into outstanding young adults that have made all of us proud. You created hope for so many when it didn’t seem like there was much to be found through your leadership, your character, your service and your Golden Panther Pride. You are our hope for a brighter tomorrow. This is just your beginning. Go create hope. To paraphrase our guest speaker Lt. Kevin Riccardi today, "If it’s not you, then who?" I’m glad that I could be a small part of these seven years of your life. I will miss you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me a better person, a better Principal and for leaving your mark on PTHS and our community. You have made us all stronger Golden Panthers! Congratulations and best wishes to the PTHS Class of 2023! I will miss you and I believe in you so much. Go get 'em.
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Richard M. HayzlerA life long educator and current Principal of Pequannock Township High School in NJ, Rich is excited to share his ideas and thoughts about education and how we can change the world for our students and our staff. Currently Reading
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