Mt. Hope graduates were urged to build their own roads, make a difference in society and “Shut Up and Dance,” before they crossed the stage Saturday at Roger Williams University to conclude their high school experience.

Class President Austin Hogan acted as master of ceremonies during the noontime ceremony in the Recreation Center on the RWU campus, announcing each speaker, including Principal Deb DiBiase, who expressed her pride in the graduating class of 2017, her first as principal. She asked members of the class to stand if they were involved in various activates during their four years at the school.

“Stand up if you were involved with robotic, the music programs. Drama, culinary, sports, visual arts, wood and furniture making, the math team, student council…”

She went on to list the many activities the school offers. When she was finished almost every graduate was standing.
“I have some criteria for success and give you three lessons to follow,” she said. “Lesson one – fail forward. In order to succeed, you must take risks. Here are some examples of those who failed but succeeded: Steven Spielberg, Steve Jobs. Meryl Streep, Beethoven, Oprah Winfrey Walt Disney…”

Dr. DiBiase’s second criteria for success was to live, laugh and dance everyday, prompting graduates, faculty and audience members to dance in the aisles to the school band’s rendition of “Shut Up and Dance.” Her last criteria was to love beyond words – that will make a difference in the world.

Dr. DiBiase then presented the annual “Comeback Kid” award, this year given to Ryan Teixeira, a student who completed his education on time, despite having only 12 credits in his junior year. “His hard work paid off,” she said.

Mr. Teixeira urged his classmates to take a chance, quoting hockey great Wayne Gretsky. “Only one thing is ever guaranteed; that is that you will definitely not achieve the goal if you don’t take the shot,” he said.

Dr. DiBiase urged her former students to impact their little corner of the world, showing the audience a video of a young girl walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. A jogger watched her with amusement and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!” Inspired, the man joined the little girl in throwing a starfish back into the sea before jogging off down the beach.

Following your own road to make that difference was Laura Iacono’s message in her class address, referencing the film “Back to the Future,” during which character Marty McFly says, “Hey, Doc, we better back up. We don't have enough road to get up to 88. Doc responds, ‘Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.”

“We don’t need roads because we can make our own,” Ms. Iacono continued. “It takes courage to plot your own course. Enjoy the curves and detours. We are leaving high school today but we are not leaving it behind. The road begins right here and the flux capacitor is ready to go.”

Class Vice President and Salutatorian Morgan Kane said she was sitting in her Subaru thinking about her last days at Mt. Hope High and the song “Rivers And Roads” came on.

“It summed up what we’ve been feeling these past few weeks,” she said. “‘A year from now, we'll all be gone; all our friends will move away; and they're going to better places; but our friends will be gone away.’ The Class of 2017 have developed into amazing people. We have reached the light at the end of the tunnel. I ask you to make plans, change your plans, stay in touch, eat pizza and be happy.”

Valedictorian Elizabeth Hennen said she was surprised to be up at the podium, having been third in the class for some time.
“I never wrote a speech and should have taken public speaking in high school,” she said. Her inexperience did not show as she eloquently paid homage to many accomplishments of her classmates and spoke of the fun, outrageous memories she will always cherish.

“Spirit week, pep rallies and the time I wore a chicken suit for a day,” Ms. Hennen said. “I will remember all my classmates that are athletes, in band, science fairs, national Honor Society and outstanding artists. This class has so many leaders that have gone above and beyond. Our final accomplishment no matter what path we take will be to continue making accomplishments.”

Many of the graduates expressed themselves by customizing the top of their caps. Some shared the schools they are attending in the fall like URI and Springfield University, while others were philosophical — “Never stop dreaming,” “Nothing is stopping you,” “What she tackles, she conquers.” Others expressed their thankfulness that their high school journey is over, “Thank God that’s over” and “Grateful that it’s through.”