• ParkBulletinCover - The Park School

Michela ThomsenI am taking the knowledge I gained frommy work-study job. I am leaving behindmy smile.Alex WayeI am taking my love for music. I amleaving behind my echoing voice.ClassGraduationSpeaker:Hannah OettgenHello, everyone. I rememberwhen I was in sixth gradeand I decided to come to Park. Ididn’t realize it at the time, butthat was one of the best decisionsI have ever made. Park has done somuch for me as a person and for myeducation. I have become a betterreader, writer, mathematician,linguist, scientist, artist, actress,and singer.There are countless things thatmake Park unique that I will neverforget. I will always rememberMorning Meeting and the momentof silence—my favorite part of theday. I will remember having mygrandparents with me at school theday before Thanksgiving and takingthem to all of my classes. I willremember singing “Children GoWhere I Send Thee” at Yule Festival.Everyone in the school knows all ofthe words and the hand motions,and all the alumni come down tosing. I know that I will be one ofthose alums next year.In seventh grade, I remembergoing to Project R.E.A.S.O.N. Wehiked Mt. Monadnock, slept in cabins,and played with the dogs,Moose and Kofe. In eighth grade,we had a blast during our day inBoston. The day before that, weswam in the coldest pool water everafter cleaning up Jamaica Pond.Ninth grade has been an especiallygreat year. We have become soclose as a grade, and I will neverforget any of you; I know we’ll stayin touch. We have all had so manyleadership opportunities. Whether itwas leading clubs, being captains ofsports teams, or being TOTAL Daycaptains, we have all taken advantageof those opportunities. Goingto Spain was another unforgettableexperience this year, and the 10 ofwho went together become closerthan we ever were. We all tried lotsof new things, had a great time,and learned a lot. Almost right afterreturning from Spain, we jumpedinto our work-study jobs. It wasreally strange to be away fromschool for a month, but it was anincredible experience.And then there are the littlethings about ninth grade, like gettingM&Ms from Mr. Katz’s office atbreak, or at 8 in the morning! Iremember taking swimming lessonsduring P.E. in, once again, reallycold pool water. I remember saying,“Hi, I’m Hannah, and I’m runningMorning Meeting today.”One of the best things aboutPark is the amazing faculty. Duringmy years at Park, I have grown as astudent, and my teachers have allbeen there to support me and helpme do well. None of us would behere right now, ready to graduate,without all of our teachers.So, I want to say thank you toeveryone at Park who has helpedmake our years here so amazing. Ialso want to thank all of our familyand friends who are here to supportus today. Although I am going toanother school next year, Park willalways be an important part of mylife, and I will come back to visitall the time!Finally, I want to congratulatethe ninth grade because soonwe will be graduates of The ParkSchool. Thank you.14 The Park Bulletin | Fall 2010