156th PA Commencement Graduates Class of '04

by Amy Kolb Noyes

"Green and gold together; PA's colors bright; Wave on high above us;
Gleaming in the light;
"And thy spirit lofty; Beckoning us on; Like a star shall guide us;
'Till our goal is won..."
So goes the school song "Dear Old PA," and so it shall be for the 91
members of the graduating class of 2004. With the Thursday, June 17,
commencement exercises behind them, the Peoples Academy graduates will
now choose their separate paths into the future. But, as the song goes,
the PA spirit will always be within, to guide them on their journeys.
While "Dear Old PA" concluded last week's ceremony, the evening began
with a processional of graduates to "Pomp and Circumstance." As the
graduates took their places on the lawn, school officials sat before
them in the Copley Band shell.
Salutatorian Aaron Gailmor was the first student to take to the
microphone. He welcomed the crowd, which far exceeded the number of
chairs set out for the event.
Next to take the stage was the Peoples Academy Chorus. Under the
direction of Kate Ewing, the chorus delivered a touching rendition of
Carole King's "You've Got A Friend." Eric Giles accompanied the chorus.
Class President Michelle Limoge introduced Jeffrey Place, who delivered
the commencement address for the class of 2004. Mr. Place, who served as
principal for the class' first two years in high school, confessed he
secretly hoped he would be invited to speak. He shared some memories and
some advice, telling the graduates, "Make a difference because you can."
Hannah Rossman delivered the valedictory address. She admitted her 18
years were not enough to warrant spreading advice to her classmates.
Instead, she told them to remember who they are today and all that has
helped to shape them.
Hannah advised her classmates to draw on their education and individual
experiences as they go their separate ways. "Take everything that you
have learned up until now because this is just the beginning," she related.
To her classmates who will be leaving the Green Mountains Hannah
instructed, "Take this wonderful place with you because it has shaped
you as a person." Alluding to our winters, she added, "Be proud that
Vermont has made you tough."
Following the valedictory address, Superintendent Dr. Alice Angney
awarded scholarships and Principal Otho Thompson presented the remaining
awards not handed out at Last Chapel.
Finally, every graduate took his or her place in the spotlight, as each
was called to receive his diploma. Morristown School Board chair Judy
Geer and Elmore School Board chair Warren Miller took turns presenting
diplomas to the graduates. A particularly touching moment came as Mr.
Miller hugged his daughter, Kelly, after handing her the diploma she earned.
The crowd joined in to sing the school song after all the graduates
returned to their seats. Before caps were tossed into the darkening sky
the chorus was proclaimed:
"Dear Old PA we love thee; Bright be the stars above the; True to they
spirit we will be; Where e're we roam on land or sea.
"To thee our faith we're plighting; In loyalty uniting; Ever to love and
serve thee; PA so dear." PA 2004 Graduates:
J. Paul Adams*, Ashton A. Allen, Veronica Elizabeth Audet, Zemrah C.
Audy, Jennifer Lynn Austin, Joshua Owen Bellavance*, Channing Hall
Bickford, Jonah Bourne, Nathan Cole Bovat, Grady M. Brandt, Roger Seth
Brandt, Trevor Curtis Braun*, Marin Elizabeth Brennan*, Erik Edward
Brooks, Jessica J. Burbank, Joshua Jameson Burbank, Jennifer Lynn
Chiaravalle*, Jeremiah Lee Church*, Paul D. Clancy, Jr., Daniel A. Cook,
Paul Coons, Juliette Louise Cormier*, Roland George Cormier*, Devin W.
Dannat*, Jennifer N. Desrochers*, Ashley Robin Earle, Desirae Lynn
Edwards, Eric James Eisenhardt*, Amanda Elizabeth Faust, Francheska Mae
Fifield, David W. Gabaree, Aaron Murphy Gailmor*, Panos Georgiadis*,
Derek Richard Godfrey, Jessica A. Grimes, Tyler Hammond, Renee Lynn
Haney, Ryan Patrick Haney, Chadrick Hess*, Seth Fortune Hosking*, Joseph
Victor Houston*, Marissa Jane Hurlburt*, Sacha Mae Keenan*, Sierra
Linsley Kittell*, Amanda Marie LaBranche, Steven K. Lawrence, Casey
Steven Leach*, Karen Lencke*, Michelle Kay Limoge*, Tyler Weterrings
Ludington*, Daniel Mandigo, Samantha Lynn Mandigo*, Tyler E. Mason,
Jason A. Mercia*, Jessica Kate Merriam*, Joshua S. Merriam*, Kelly L.
Miller*, William M. Moeck, Connor S. M. Moriarty, Natsumi Mukouyama,
Bethann Marie Nichols*, Steven Nutter, John B. Ostler*, Kellissa Anne
Paquette*, Erica R. Parkhurst, Zachary Scott Patterson*, Chris Persico*,
Holly Kay Plante*, Tiffany Fawn Putvain*, Adam Zabzdyr Reynolds*,
Melissa Charmaine Richardson, Hannah Jillian Rossman*, Gregory J.
Rothammer*, Kate Elizabeth Ryan*, Virgil N. Sabou, Erica Lynn Scott,
Jihad S. Shippe, Kendra Louise Smythe*, Natalie Anne Stagnitti*, Robert
Benjamin Stewart*, Liana Styers, Kimberly Ann Sylvester, Jerry O.
Tallman, Jr.*, Hannah A. Tewhill*, Amber D. Thomas, Holly Ann Thompson*,
Ryan L. Thompson, Chase Wilkinson, Hailey Lyn Wilkinson, Beth Anne
Worthen, Evan David Yacovone*.
* Denotes Pro Merito Students,