The following is my Commencement Speech to the Pequannock Township High School Class of 2022. This group was a fantastic class who overcame unbelievable obstacles to graduate together on Stadium field on June 22, 2022. The last three years have been filled with critical decisions so it seems only fitting that on the last day of the school year, we were left with another one. The students that sit here before us deserve this moment, to be with all of us as we celebrate the culmination of their time in the Pequannock Township School District. 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 third graduating class of Golden Panthers. 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. This ceremony is also a celebration of joy. The joy of seeing our stands full of family, friends and community members, the joy of walking step by step with a staff that has given their all for the success of their students, the joy of being outside, the joy of being together one last time with a remarkable group of students who are the Pequannock Township High School Class of 2022. Over the past several weeks I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the last six years that I have worked with this outstanding group of young adults. We have learned together, laughed together, cried together, collaborated together, disagreed together, succeeded together and yes, even failed together. Through it all, we have grown together…..I am beginning to have the gray hair to prove it…although I do hear that gray hair is sign of wisdom..at least that is what I’m going with.. It is what high school is about, not giving your Principal gray hair, but it’s about learning about yourself individually and as a class, collecting experiences that help shape the individuals you are striving to become. High school is about using your experiences from elementary and middle school to keep living forward towards your dreams, your goals….and your future. While graduation ceremonies signify the culmination of a learning experience, they also provide an opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments that have become some of those experiences that you collect in your life. Winning state and national marching band championships, state sectional and conference championships, the members first basketball team to reach the county final since 1988, conference, county and all state honorees, Allied Health and STEM Academy graduates, nationally commended scholars and a merit finalist, graduates of the Morris County Vocational Technical School in various areas, AP Scholars, Honor Society inductees, artists, musicians, actors and actresses, organizers of the first Color Run for Autism Acceptance, and even best friends who are the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are just some of the amazing collection of accomplishments of the PTHS Class of 2022. What I am most proud of in this class is being a group that has demonstrated tremendous perseverance, strength, patience and Golden Panther Pride through the various obstacles you faced, never giving up, never giving in…..holding to the tradition of what a Golden Panther is all about. There is no denying that this year was a difficult one. While we all looked forward to this year being what we would remember as “traditional,” it was a year that challenged all of us to dig deep, recalibrate and refocus on what school could and should be. I greatly appreciated the fact that this class advocated for themselves, tried new things, had the courage to step outside their comfort zone and work together to rebuild the traditions of PTHS to set the stage for what is to come for classes that follow. Whether it was outdoor pep rallies, a Promote Panther Prosperity or Cucci in the Courtyard Video on our social media feeds, being part of a packed student section at a game, the President of Pequannock project, raising money for a cause in your clubs, participating in spirit days, dancing together at prom, cruising on the Hudson or being together at the senior sunrise and sunset, you created experiences that I hope you will look back on in the coming days, weeks months and years with a smile, understanding that these experiences have become parts of your past that will help you keep living forward. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was in the auditorium with you as we had our first school-wide assembly in more than two years. If you don’t remember, it was a one-man show entitled “Dirt” that portrayed a series of characters and how their choices and their life experiences impacted those around them. While we didn’t know it at the time, all the characters in the show were connected to each other. I remember the end of the assembly, the grandfather standing at the front of the stage, explaining how the experiences in his life shaped who he was. Living for the future, recognizing the value of our past. He quoted Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, saying, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” You may not believe it but, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Everything you have experienced, the ups the downs, the moments of doubt, the triumphs, the challenges, the friendships, the conversations, the lessons, and the love and support from your families, your teachers and your administrators are all part of your individual stories that make you so special, and have helped you build the foundation to write the next pages of your life story. I consider myself lucky to be a small part of your individual stories. I hope you know that I will cherish all the hellos in the hallway, cheering you on at games, concerts and competitions, spending time chatting during lunch periods, celebrating your accomplishments, working through challenges, visiting you in class and challenging me to be a better Principal for PTHS. The collection of experiences that we have had together since you were 11 and 12 years old will forever be a meaningful part of my life. As you continue on in your educational and life journeys, keep collecting experiences that will bring value to your life. Don’t dwell on the things that you cannot control, instead embrace the things that you can. What can you control?
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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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