Hats off to grads

Cape seniors share fortune of growing up in a “great place”

CAPE ELIZABETH — When Cape Elizabeth science teacher Kerry Kertes took to the stage at Saturday’s graduation ceremonies for the class of 2011, he said he had a theory. However, with the help of several hundred people gathered inside the high school gym – thanks to inclement weather – the null hypothesis for that theory was soundly rejected.

That may have disproved the theory, said Kertes, but it proved his point.

The hypothesis was this: “Your teenage years are the best years of your life.”

In the audience, people in their 30s raised hands to say they enjoyed that time of their life the most. The same result was found among people in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even in their 70s and 80s. Even one fellow in his 90s rose to claim he was living in the most blessed time he had yet known.

“Perhaps we can say that, although the teenage years are good years, over the course of your life, you will have more good times than not,” said Kertes. “Every stage in your life is important and adventurous and should be enjoyed.

“So, my original hypothesis was wrong,” said Kertes. “The good times do not end today, they only begin.”

For the 145 members of the Cape Elizabeth High School class of 2011, graduation was about looking forward, but also looking back.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have grown up here and fortunate to have been a member of this class,” said valedictorian John Queeney. “We’ve had good times, and we’ve had sad times, too, but because we’ve had each other’s backs, we have persevered.

“As we prepare to head off our separate ways, I think it’s important to remember that great places like Cape Elizabeth don’t just crop up out of thin air,” said Queeney.

There is, said Queeney, a benefit to living in a place “where everybody knows everybody.”

During the two-hour celebration, it seemed everybody present looked up to, or at least respected, eight individuals singled out for special mention. All were recipients of this year’s Excellence Awards.

“These individuals are the standard by which others will be measured for years to come, in the classroom, on the playing field or stage, and in the community,” explained Principal Jeffrey Shedd.

Seven of the presentations were variations on the theme of citizenship. The Commitment to Excellence Citizenship Award was given to Aubrey Lansfeld, a “tireless worker” who took up the French horn in her freshman year and rose to principal horn in the All-State Concert Band.

“In concerts you can recognize her sound,” said Shedd. “It has its own voice, smacked with brilliance.

A second The Commitment to Excellence Citizenship Award, to Hannah Wallace, was given in the same spirit as Lansfield’s, for demonstrating a “passion for a subject, sport, or activity that has resulting in achieving a level of excellence widely recognized by others.

Wallace’s passion, said Shedd, is dance, as evidenced by her membership in the Portland Ballet Company’s CORPS program, a position considered “pre-professional.”

“Her hard work, humility, achievement and dedication make her someone to look up to,” said Shedd.

The Good Samaritan Citizenship Award went to Emily Hollyday, described by Shedd as a committed environmentalist and “a people person, whose presence brightens the days of those around her.”

Citizenship Awards for School Spirit were presented to Ben Berman and Sarah Cummings.

Berman, said Shedd, is a “super-fan” known for being both a raving Capers booster and a positive influence in the stands.

“He probably attended more games than any other student in history, or certainly in the 10 years I’ve been here,” said Shedd.

Cummings is both a fan and an athlete, but perhaps more importantly, was recognized as a natural helper. Quoting  from nomination forms, Shedd said, “She’s one the people in my class that everyone is comfortable approaching,” and “People all across the board love being around her outside of school and in class.”

As with the school spirit award, two students were recognized with a Citizenship Award for Character and Leadership for their ability to lead by example and to act on their convictions.

Theo Bowe was noted for being a star athlete who never failed to take time from the basketball court for his fans and his community.

“No matter how many headlines he captures, how many games he wins, how many times he’s interviewed on TV, his publicity doesn’t go to his head,” said Shedd.

Whether helping to salvage a technology presentation gone wrong, or organizing a ninth-grade mentoring program, Sydney Banks was singled out for being one who “takes charge in a kind and gentle way.”

“She leads by kindness,” said Shedd. “She listens to people, she validates their ideas.”

Finally, Will Bollenback was distinguished with the Katie Lisa Memorial Award for Determination and Achievement. Named for a longtime social worker at Cape Elizabeth High School, the award is given to a student “who has achieved much, overcoming obstacles along the way.”

A top student academically with “and insatiable thirst for knowledge” and an “incisive dry wit,” Bollenbach also played three sports. More impressively, he did it all even after being diagnosed with a serious degenerative eye disease during his junior year.

“He persevered through a disability that would have disheartened anyone,” said Shedd. “His dedication is an inspiration and should be held in high regard.”

Everyone in Cape Elizabeth’s class of 2011 is a person of merit, capable of great things, said senior Robert MacDonald, as he led the traditional “changing of the tassels.”

“Even next year, when some of us are dressing ourselves for the first time,” he joked, “I think we’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.”