Valedictorians look backward, then turn attention to future

  Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is spinning among his parents’ friends in the living room of his commencement party, accepting hugs, congratulations and advice in the 1967 film The Graduate, when a party-goer grabs him by the arm and insists, “Plastics are the future.’’

   “Plastics’’ became a popular one-liner of my youth, long after Rhett Butler (Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind) told Scarlett O’Hara, ‘frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn’’ but well before Meg Ryan faked an orgasm in a diner during When Harry Met Sally and director Rob Reiner’s mother responded, “I’ll have what she’s having.’’

   The graduation parties have lapsed from calendars, but the recent crop of high school graduates is embarking on their college careers or entering the workforce, armed with the advice of their parents, friends and family. The time seemed fitting to solicit the advice given to the latest high school valedictorians.

     Clara Cole of Ogdensburg, daughter of Jon and Shelly Cole, began classes this week at Nazareth University in suburban Rochester. She’ll pursue a degree in speech pathology. The OFA valedictorian, from a class of 109, intends to work with elementary school students.

   “If you never make mistakes, you’d never be able to learn from them,’’ Cole said. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because,’’ as someone told her, “ ‘If you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow.’ ”

  Cole may have left the Blue Devils volleyball program behind, but she’ll retain memories for a lifetime.

   “The collective ‘team spirit’ at OFA was one of my favorite things,’’ Cole said. “Everyone was so supportive of our school’s sports, events, and productions, and being involved in the OFA community has been so rewarding for me.’’

  At Morristown Central School, Ava Johnson finished atop her class of 21 and earned 27 credits toward college graduation, all while working part-time. She started classes this week at SUNY Oswego toward her degree in finance. She’d like to work as a financial adviser.

  By coincidence, her great-grandmother Jean Perretta graduated in the 1940s from Brier Hill High School as valedictorian.

  “I did know that. I’m pretty sure my grandparents or my mom told me that,’’ said Ava, daughter of Jeffrey and Andria Perretta Johnson. “I was really proud of it, because you only ever hear stories about your family and it’s good to hear about accomplishments they’ve made, because for me it makes me feel more connected to her in a way.’’

   The ties to education run even deeper.

   “As a grandmother,’’ said Debbie Andrew Perretta, “I was super proud. Ava is my last granddaughter to graduate from MCS. I taught there for 32 years (elementary education) so achieving this honor meant a great deal.’’

   Ava is crossing the juncture from high school to college.

   “I’ll miss the friends I’ve made while in high school,’’ Johnson said. “I really do love being able to hang out with them and make jokes together. Going from being able to see everyone all the time, especially over the summer, to only being able to call them will be difficult. I recently just worked my last shift at JRECK Subs, and it was tough having to leave since I’ve grown so close to my teammates while working there.’’

  “The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to take life slowly and live in the moment, for example a hug goodbye or having fun with your family. Living in the moment is something I try my best to follow because I’m only young once so I try to enjoy it as much as I can.’’

    From Hammond, valedictorian Kahlan Chapman is installed at Clarkson University in Potsdam. Hermon-Dekalb’s valedictorian was Andrew Platt and Edwards-Knox saluted Madelyn Rowley. But for a different perspective, I turned to my old classmate, Morristown 1975 valedictorian Linda Seeley.

  After graduating with 48 others, Seeley earned a physical education degree from St. Lawrence University and worked in various school districts for 15 years before undertaking a 25-year career at Acco. She retired five years ago.

   “My best advice for students today is this — do what makes you happy.’’

   Seeley has followed her own advice. She pitches for the Norwood American Legion team in the 10-team Seaway Women’s Oldtimers League. “We were 17-1 and undefeated in the playoffs so we must be doing something right,’’ she said.

   That lesson about happiness was reinforced recently when she chatted with a friend, who spotted a big bruise on her leg courtesy of a line drive.

    “I told him that some people were telling me I should quit, but he told me if I enjoy it, I should do what makes me happy. He died from a massive heart attack on his way home from work.  Life is too short so make the most of it.’’

          Morristown native Jim Holleran is a retired teacher and sports editor from Rochester. Reach him at jimholleran29@gmail.com or view past columns under “Reflections of River Rat’’ at https://hollerangetsitwrite.com/blog/