GRADUATION CEREMONY - SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2008
GREETINGS FROM THE HEADMASTER, FREDERICK WEISSBACH

Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, Parents, and Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Brothers and Sisters, Friends, Alumni, Former Colleagues, Students, and Seniors - it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2008 graduation exercises of Franklin Academy.

On this happy occasion, which marks the conclusion of Franklin Academy's fifth anniversary year, we are delighted to see such a huge crowd that has turned out to honor our senior class and to acknowledge the success of all of our students.

I want to thank each of you for joining us for this celebration of accomplishments and possibilities. As you know, the mission of the school is to provide students with nonverbal learning differences the academic and social skills to become life-long learners, to pursue college and career goals, and to enjoy fulfilling lives. Today's graduation is an important milestone on the personal journey toward the realization of this inspiring vision.

At the same time, each of us is experiencing a bittersweet moment. In a few short hours this version of the Franklin Academy family, which began nine months ago, will come to an end. Looking back to September, we remember that many of us were strangers and we had yet to learn each other's first name. Now, we are close friends, having lived intensely together and having learned many of those important lessons that will serve us well as we move off in many different directions after today. This is especially true for our oldest students.

Seniors, you have come through the crucible of experience to prepare mind, body, spirit and character in anticipation of the next set of challenges that loom large in your lives. You have persevered and prospered during your time at Franklin Academy, and your positive impact on our young school has been immeasurable. Now, as we savor with you this graduation day, the faculty and I urge you to pursue your passions. Indeed, our greatest wish is that each of you will live a full and satisfying life, realizing your dreams and matching potential with achievement.

While you deserve most of the credit for your success, let us not forget your parents - there at every step to support and to encourage you on your journey through childhood to this special moment - yes, the earning of a Franklin Academy diploma, but more importantly, the beginning of adulthood. Truly, your education has been a partnership, and some of your most important collaborators have been those wonderful teachers in and out of the classroom who have helped to shape you as a student and as a cherished member of our school family.

FACULTY SPEECH

Let us now recognize a talented mentor who has been selected by the Franklin Academy seniors to speak at their graduation. Alicia Gram, please come to the podium to share a teacher's perspective about our year together. (Click on the link below for a copy of Alicia's speech.)

Alicia's Speech

BOOK AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES

It is time recognize able students throughout the school who have demonstrated significant academic achievement, exhibited tremendous personal growth, or contributed mightily to the life of the Franklin community. Students, as I call out your names, please come forward to receive a book award and certificate from Dr. Tom Hays. We will recognize both Upper Level students in grades 11 and 12 and Lower Level students in grades 9 and 10.

LITERATURE & ARTS

Our first award is named for the world's first true historian - Thucydides - an Athenian of the fifth century BC - who fought in and wrote about the Peloponnesian War.  Unlike anyone before him, Thucydides gathered all available evidence about an event, decided what he thought was the truth, and then shaped his written presentation to emphasize that truth.

The Thucydides History Award is given to an upper and lower level student for best project on a non-fiction topic.  This project may be a written paper, presentation, or demonstration on a topic of historical importance that connects historical events to our current lives.

The DaVinci Creativity Award is given to an upper and lower level student for demonstrations of creativity.  These demonstrations of creativity might include works of creative writing, drawing, or sculpting and should incorporate elements of unusual combinations and imagination. 

PHILOSOPHY & SCIENCE

Our next award is named for the most famous woman of physics - Madam Marie Curie, winner of two Nobel prizes in Science.  She was responsible for opening up the science of radioactivity, and her radium was a key to a basic change in our understanding of matter and energy.

The Marie Curie Precision Award is given to an upper and lower level student for accuracy and rigor of measurement.  This award goes to the student who consistently and accurately follows laboratory and field protocols, presents valid and reliable data, and data that is easily explained and understood. 

The Galileo Science Award is given to an upper or lower student for their advocacy of scientific issues.  In receiving this award, the student must demonstrate an excellent knowledge of science, the ability to clearly present and articulate scientific findings, and explain the relevance of those findings as they relate to society.

INDIVIDUAL & COMMUNITY 

The first award under the category of Individual and Community is named in honor of this country's 39^th president - Jimmy Carter.  As president, he aspired to make Government  "competent and compassionate."  However, his greatest accomplishments have occurred since leaving office as he has invested decades of untiring effort in pursuit of peaceful solutions to international conflicts around the world.  Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

The Carter Mediation Award goes to an upper or lower level student who has best demonstrated both in and out of class the ability to address and solve conflict.  This student has learned the art of negotiation and is able to resolve disputes he has with others as well as to help others resolve their conflicts.

The Mandela Award is given to an upper or lower level student who has made the greatest personal strides in taking what they have learned in Individual & Community class and applying these lesson to their everyday life.  In receiving the Mandela award, this student has challenged his or her personal comfort zones in and outside the classroom.  The student has gained social confidence, respect, and improved social relationships.

MATHEMATICS

In the category of mathematics, we present the e Award, named not for Albert Einstein, but for the mathematical constant e (occasionally called Euler's (Oiler's) number.   Simply stated, e is the base of the natural logarithm.

The e Award is given to an upper and lower level student for their advanced mathematical abilities.  In receiving this award the student must demonstrate both a strong understanding of mathematical processes, but also the application of those math calculations.   

Our second mathematics award is the Pi Award, named for that mathematical constant and transcendental real number, approximately equal to 3.14159, which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean geometry.

The Pi Award is given to an upper and lower level student for their advanced problem solving abilities in mathematics.  In receiving this award the student must demonstrate both a strong understanding of mathematical processes, but also the ability to apply those understandings to finding unique solutions to mathematical problems.

Odysseus, also known as Ulysses in the Latin language, is the main hero in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, and plays a key role in Homer's Iliad.  Odysseus is renowned for his guile and resourcefulness, and is most famous for the ten eventful years it took him to return home after the Trojan War.  The Odyssey Award is given to that student, who, during an "Ulysses-like" journey through the years at Franklin Academy, has been transformed - academically, socially, and emotionally, and has demonstrated the most growth among peers.  This year's recipient of the Odyssey Award is:               

07-08 Winner

Patrick Snell

Franklin Academy's highest recognition is the Phoenix Award, given to a student for his or her ability to learn about life and relate to the world.  Like the mythical bird that rises from its ashes, the recipient of this award has learned to overcome life's challenges and adversity, applying lessons learned from the past to lead a thoughtful life.  In receiving this award the student must exemplify service to the community beyond the classroom, providing a role model for younger students, a friend to peers, and an inspiration to adults.  The recipient of Franklin Academy's fifth Phoenix Award is:

The first award is designated the Headmaster's Excellence Award.  It is given to that senior who has embraced the highest standards for academic performance and community leadership.  The Headmaster and administration acknowledge that Colton Schroeder is the worthy recipient of this award.

The second award is the Headmaster's Citizenship Award.  It is given to that senior who conscientiously and reliably meets every commitment across campus each and every day and lives his or her life according to Franklin Academy's Code of Conduct.  The Headmaster and administration acknowledge that Caleb Foster is the worthy recipient of this award.

The third award is the Headmaster's Service Award.  It is given to that senior with a generous spirit who finds ways to serve this community, day in and day out, often when no one is watching.  The Headmaster and administration acknowledge that Harry Jordan is the worthy recipient of this award.

The fourth award is the Headmaster's Spirit Award.  It is given to that senior who has generously shared talents, enthusiasm, and good will with the entire Franklin family.  The Headmaster and administration acknowledge that Sarah Fife is the worthy recipient of this award.

The fifth award is the Headmaster's Perseverance Award.  It is given to that senior who demonstrates persistence, determination, and resolve throughout his or her time at Franklin Academy.  The Headmaster and administration acknowledge that Dessa Wideman is the worthy recipient of this award.

Our final award is the Franklin Founders Award, given to those seniors or postgraduate students who were either part of the school's first year of operation or who attended Franklin Academy through three years of high school.  Our 2007 recipients of the Franklin Founders Award are:  Ben Guaglianone, Harry Jordan, Rebecca Maccarino, Luigi Rossini, Colton Schroeder, and Dessa Wideman. 

SENIOR SPEECH

A highlight of any graduation is that moment when we hear from one member of the senior class who has been chosen by classmates to provide perspectives on the road that has been traveled together this year and the many different paths of life that beckon before us.  It is my distinct pleasure to invite Colton Schroeder  to the podium for the Senior Speech.  (Please click on the link below for a copy of Colton’s speech.)

Colton's Senior Speech

DIPLOMAS

We are about to turn our attention to the real business of this Saturday morning - the awarding of diplomas to Franklin Academy's fifth class of graduating seniors.  Before I begin, however, there are just a few announcements.  Following this ceremony, our seniors and teachers will stand in a receiving line outside on the sidewalk outside of the dining hall to greet you and receive your best wishes. Then, everyone is welcome to join us for a luncheon buffet. If there are any questions about departure from campus this afternoon, please see Tom Hays or Mary Murphy. Yearbooks will be available for sale in the dining hall during the luncheon, and our senior slideshow, Over the Rainbow, will play on a continuous loop in the student center throughout the luncheon.

I would also like to take a brief moment to say thank you and goodbye to colleagues who will be leaving Franklin Academy for exciting new opportunities. Some go on to graduate school to pursue doctorates, one takes a maternity leave and we hope to see her back at Franklin Academy as soon as possible, and others embrace new professional challenges elsewhere. Will Jigna Davda, Alicia Gram, William Hare, Chris Joseph, Carol Parham, Drew Silver, and Suzanne Wintsch please stand and accept our applause for a job well done.

GRADUATING SENIORS

William Briscoe Bradburn

Aaron Joshua Chism

Sara Katherine Dager

Dylan Ansel Farrall

Sarah Marie Fife

Caleb Henry Foster

Benjamin Alwin Guaglianone

Harrison Edward Jordan

Alexander Cook Lalire

Michael James Leonard

Rebecca Sarah Maccarino

Nicholas David Pusateri

Luigi Rossini

Felix Matthew Sawicki

Anthony Vincent Schettler

Colton Bryce Schroeder

Jordan H. Shein

Patrick James Snell

Dennis Montgomery Sullivan

Anne Boykin DeSaussure Wideman

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you the 20 graduates of Franklin Academy, class of 2008!!!!

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