Falconer Central School is in possession of a new pool, thanks to its 2012 graduating class.
The 93 students that graduated from Falconer Central School Thursday evening presented the school with its senior gift, one that according to Brandon Caruso, class president, would delight all future students.
"Ever since I arrived at Falconer, I've always heard people say, 'Oh, I wish Falconer had a pool,'" Caruso said. "Well, the class of 2012 will be building a new facility to house a new pool. Now, before we hand over the plans to the administration, I want to say that the pool will be open as soon as possible, and I want you to know that it's going to fill up very quickly, so get there early."
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Falconer Graduation
The senior class officers, consisting of Caruso, Michael Saff, Colleen Kimball, Reid Matecki, Heidi Whitton, Sara Spangenburg and Madeline Calla, unveiled a child's wading pool, drawing laughter from their peers and the audience.
Caruso and the officers also unveiled what they said was the real class gift at the commencement ceremony.
"We decided to give back to the students of the future by starting the Dream Scholarship. This scholarship will be a $50 scholarship awarded to a high school senior who is not in the Top 10," Caruso said.
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Ninety-three Falconer students celebrated Thursday by releasing their caps into the air outside the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
P-J photo by Liz Skoczylas
Many other speeches, scholarships and awards were presented during Falconer Central School's graduation ceremony as well. The commencement speaker for the evening was Dr. Timothy Micek, Falconer class of 1982. Micek spoke about the path to his career, and encouraged students to work.
Salutatorian Collin Everett also spoke, relating his high school career to a math problem, where he had to find the variable K.
"K, the understanding of an individual's purpose, is magic. This magic belongs to no one other than the person living it," Everett said.
Shannon Murphy, class valedictorian, opened her speech with a joke.
"Class of 2012, congratulations. Not only did we conquer K through 12, but we also have the distinction of being perhaps the last class to graduate before the end of the world," Murphy said.
During her speech, Murphy compared life to juggling, trying not to drop the ball. She concluded her speech by juggling for her class.
Superintendent Stephen Pehollow also congratulated the new graduates.
"Each one of these young people have taken the challenges we have set in front of them, from the first day they entered our school doors, through the final walk across the stage tonight. We are truly proud of all their accomplishments at FCS, and we look forward to what they will accomplish in the future," Penhollow said.